Bethpage Black became Bethpage blue. Europe had waited 21 years to lead at the end of a Ryder Cup’s opening day on American soil. In 2004, they romped to victory at Oakland Hills. There should be no sense of a similar procession for Luke Donald and his 2025 contingent. Nonetheless, the strength of Europe’s early performance in New York felt hugely significant. It is Keegan Bradley, the US captain, who does not have his troubles to seek. Europe won two sessions out of two, including five of the first six matches.
“We have only played 28% of the points,” said a bullish Bradley. “This is first quarter. We’ve still got three quarters to go. I’ve got a lot of faith in my boys.” As shadows lengthened, the final joust of the day became the most captivating. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry faced Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns in a fourball contest that ebbed and flowed quite wonderfully. Europe had taken the foursome element by 3-1, with two more points subsequently secured. Bradley was cheered only by Cameron Young and Justin Thomas dismissing Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard. Could Cantlay and Burns spare some blushes?
Lowry, McIlroy and Burns had putts for threes on the last. The score could flip between 5-3 and 6-2 depending on the success or otherwise of them. Lowry left his short. Burns missed to the right. McIlroy, once again central to epic theatre, had 12ft to win the match. The Masters champion watched his attempt slide agonisingly by the left of the hole. Europe’s 5 ½ plays 2 ½ for the USA.
McIlroy soon acknowledged disappointment but admitted the European team would have bitten hands off for this scenario before a ball was struck. The visitors will be strong favourites to prevail again in Saturday’s morning foursomes.
“We all knew how important it was to get off to a good start,” Donald said. “To win again this afternoon was another tick in a box. I am very happy with where we are.”
Scottie Scheffler endured a miserable day at the office. It concluded on the 16th green in partnership with JJ Spaun, losing to Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka. Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood were one down to Ben Griffin and Bryson DeChambeau after 10. The Englishmen rallied brilliantly to prevail on the final green. Fleetwood’s putting over the closing stretch was magnificent.
McIlroy and Lowry looked safe when two up on the 12th tee. A McIlroy putt somehow stayed above ground after a 360 degree circuit of the cup at the 13th, as the Americans won back-to-back holes to square the match. Both sides had chances thereafter but a half point each was ultimately fair.
Bradley is already facing criticism. And no wonder. Picking foursomes as the first session worked for the Americans at Whistling Straits but they already had so many advantages in that Ryder Cup. Here, with the teams closely matched, Bradley surely erred in starting with a format Europe excel in. Donald and his players had an opportunity to gain early momentum which they did not waste. Bradley publicly insisted at lunchtime that the arrival of Donald Trump on Air Force One would assist his team. Yes, he really was that desperate.
Rory McIlroy shows his emotion during the foursomes win against Collin Morikawa and Harris English. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA
Statistical gurus had determined that Collin Morikawa and Harris English was the worst combination the US could deploy in a foursomes contest. What did Bradley do? In the penultimate game of the morning, McIlroy and Fleetwood hammered Morikawa and English 5&4. The Europeans had been five up after eight.
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There was a similar canter for Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick in their foursomes clash with Scheffler and Russell Henley. Europe took this one 5&3. Donald struck gold with this pairing, which was heavily influenced by Europe’s use of data analysis.
Rahm, the star of day one, combined with Tyrrell Hatton in the first match of this Ryder Cup to defeat DeChambeau and Thomas, 4&3. DeChambeau cracked a drive to within a flick of the 1st green. Two shots later, the USA were one up. DeChambeau and Thomas failed to win another hole. For all DeChambeau’s noise, for all DeChambeau’s fuss, he lost two out of two on Friday. “Luck is on their side right now,” said the Californian. Saucer of milk, Bryson?
Foursomes solace for the hosts came in the final match, where Xander Schauffele and Cantlay defeated Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland, 2up. MacIntyre was distracted by a spectator shot during his tee shot backswing at the 17th, a crucial moment which allowed the US to edge in front.
There have already been too many similar interferences from those with outside the ropes carrying big mouths and much smaller brains. Generally, though, Europe’s showing has punctured the New York mood. Donald will be aware this is already a glorious opportunity to make history.
