The opening day of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York is over with the European team leading 5 1/2 to 2 1/2 over the U.S.
After Friday morning foursomes, Europe led 3-1.
Afternoon four-ball proved better for the Americans, with Justin Thomas and Cameron Young setting the tone with a dominating 6&5 victory over Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard. But Europe kept up its pace, thanks to Tommy Fleetwood’s clutch play and Jon Rahm’s brilliance.
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According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., is the only time since 1979 a team overcame a deficit of at least three points after Day 1. The Americans won that time by a score of 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.
Day 2 begins at 7:10 a.m. ET with foursomes. Afternoon four-ball will begin at 12:25 p.m. ET
Notes: All times ET
Match 1, 7:10 a.m.
Team Europe: Matt Fitzpatrick, Ludvig Åberg
Team USA: Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Young
Match 2, 7:26 a.m.
Team Europe: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood
Team USA: Harris English, Collin Morikawa
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Match 3, 7:42 a.m.
Team Europe: Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton
Team USA: Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay
Match 4, 7:58 a.m.
Team Europe: Robert MacIntyre, Viktor Hovland
Team USA: Russell Henley, Scottie Scheffler
Sitting out:
USA: Sam Burns, Ben Griffin, J.J. Spaun, Justin Thomas
Europe: Rasmus Højgaard, Justin Rose, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry
You can meet all the players here.
Foursomes is better known as “alternate shot,” where golfers will simply alternate each shot throughout the round. Four-ball has each golfer play their ball through the hole, but then the team takes the lower score. That’s frequently known as “best ball.”
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Day 1 foursomes (alternate shot) results
Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton (EUR) def. Bryson DeChambeau/Justin Thomas (USA) 4&3
Ludvig Åberg/Matt Fitzpatrick (EUR) def. Scottie Scheffler/Russell Henley (USA) 5&4
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood (EUR) def. Collin Morikawa/Harris English (USA) 5&3
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay (USA) def. Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland (EUR) 2 UP
Day 1 four-ball (best ball) results
Jon Rahm/Sepp Straka (EUR) def. Scottie Scheffler/JJ Spaun (USA) 3&2
Tommy Fleetwood/Justin Rose (EUR) def. Ben Griffin/Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 1 UP
Cameron Young/Justin Thomas (USA) def. Ludvig Åberg/Rasmus Højgaard (EUR) 6&5
Sam Burns/Patrick Cantlay (USA) HALVE Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry (EUR)
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Europe holds the Ryder Cup after defeating the U.S. 16 1/2 – 11 1/2 in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy.
How are the individual matches determined?
Short answer: The captains pick.
Long answer: In foursomes and four-balls, the captains choose who to pair from their respective teams. Then, for all matches, the captains assign a number to each pair or, in singles, player. In foursomes and four-ball, that’s 1-4; in singles, it’s 1-12. These selections are secret, meaning Bradley doesn’t know who Donald is picking, and vice versa. From there, America’s 1 plays Europe’s 1, 2 vs. 2 and so forth. (Note: This is not necessarily in order of confidence, meaning, for example, Scottie Scheffler isn’t necessarily designated as No. 1 for the U.S. in singles.)
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How to watch the Ryder Cup
NBC has the rights for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Coverage will be on the main network, along with the Golf Channel, USA Network and streaming on both Peacock and the Ryder Cup app.
Saturday, Sept. 27: Foursomes and Four-balls NBC | 7 a.m. — 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, Sept. 28: Singles NBC | 12 p.m. — 6 p.m. ET
