The New York crowd roared, the sun blazed down on Bethpage Black, and by sunset on Friday it was Europe, not the home team, dictating the mood of the Ryder Cup. With precision in the morning and resilience in the afternoon, Luke Donald’s men surged to a 5½–2½ lead after Day One, leaving the United States rattled and searching for answers.
The tone was set in the opening foursomes. Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, making his Ryder Cup debut, and Matt Fitzpatrick dismantled world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 5 & 3, a result that drew gasps from the raucous galleries. “We knew it was going to be hostile,” Fitzpatrick said, “but we fed off it. Ludvig was fearless, and that energy carried us.”
Europe rode that wave to claim three of the four morning matches. The Americans’ lone bright spot came from Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, who steadied the ship with a victory over Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland.
If U.S. fans hoped for a red-white-and-blue rally in the fourballs, Europe had other plans. Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka added to the U.S. frustration by defeating Scheffler and J.J. Spaun 3 & 2, leaving Scheffler winless on the day. “It’s disappointing, no question,” Scheffler admitted. “I didn’t give us enough, and in this competition, every shot matters.”
FLEETWOOD MAC
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood once again embodied Europe’s backbone, grinding out crucial holes in front of a partisan crowd that grew quieter with each European putt. “Momentum is everything in the Ryder Cup,” McIlroy said. “We wanted to quiet the crowd, and when you do that here, it almost feels like you’ve won twice.”
The U.S. did find a spark when Justin Thomas and Cameron Young hammered Nicolai Højgaard and Shane Lowry 6 & 5, the most lopsided win of the day. Thomas raised his fist to the grandstands afterward, urging fans to stay with the home side. “We’ve got two more days,” he said. “This thing is far from over.”
Off the course, the day began with a jolt when a power line exploded near the main entrance, briefly halting fans on their way in. No one was seriously injured, but the crackle of electricity seemed an omen for a turbulent day.
By the evening, the mood belonged to Europe. Their preparation — including the much-discussed use of virtual reality headsets to simulate New York heckling — appeared to pay off. Players looked calm where the Americans looked edgy.
Donald was quick to keep his team grounded. “It’s a fantastic start, but it’s only one day,” he said. “We know the Americans are going to come back hard. Our job is to be ready.”
Still, the history books offer encouragement for Europe. In the modern era, no team leading by three or more points after Day One has gone on to lose the Ryder Cup. With the Black Course baring its teeth and the home crowd desperate for a swing in momentum, Saturday looms as a defining day for Keegan Bradley’s Americans.
