Team Europe Takes Early Lead in Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
In a stunning turn of events at Bethpage Black, Team Europe delivered an unexpected blow to Team USA on the opening day of the Ryder Cup. For the first time in the tournament’s storied history, the Europeans claimed each of the first three matches on American soil, establishing an early 3-0 lead. By day’s end, Europe had extended their advantage to 6.5-1.5, leaving the Americans reeling and searching for answers. The Europeans need just 14 points to retain the Cup, and after Friday’s performance, they appear well-positioned to achieve that goal. The morning session was particularly brutal for the Americans, with none of the first three matches even reaching the 16th hole, highlighting the dominance of the European side.
The afternoon session initially seemed to favor the Americans, but Tommy Fleetwood emerged as the day’s hero, further cementing his status as a Ryder Cup legend. Despite never having won a PGA Tour event until just a month ago, Fleetwood’s Ryder Cup record now stands at an impressive 9-3-2. Alongside Jon Rahm, the pair went a perfect 4-0-0 on Friday, showcasing the chemistry and clutch performance that has become a hallmark of European Ryder Cup teams. In a crucial match, Fleetwood rallied from one down to birdie both the 14th and 16th holes, giving himself and partner Justin Rose a one-up lead. Rose’s birdie on the 18th secured Europe’s fifth point of the day, amplifying the pressure on the struggling American squad.
There were a few bright spots for Team USA amid the disappointing performance. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele managed to salvage a point in the morning session with a clutch birdie on the 18th hole. Later, hometown favorite Cameron Young and Justin Thomas dominated their afternoon match against Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard, securing a 6 & 5 victory. Additionally, Cantlay paired with Sam Burns to mount a comeback from two down to halve the final match of the day. These moments provided glimmers of hope for American fans who watched in dismay as their team fell further behind.
In stark contrast to Europe’s heroes, America’s top players struggled mightily. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau combined for a disastrous 0-4-0 record on Friday, with Scheffler never even making it to the 17th hole in any of his matches. This unexpected collapse from the American stars highlighted the depth of Europe’s roster and their superior team chemistry. European captain Luke Donald praised Fleetwood as a “world-class” golfer, noting, “He’s a guy that just loves being around the team. He loves contributing to that team… he’s at the top of the list of a lot of guys on the team that people want to play with.” This camaraderie has long been cited as a key advantage for European teams in Ryder Cup competition.
Team USA now faces a daunting challenge if they hope to avoid becoming the first American team to lose on home soil since the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. The historical context adds another layer of pressure – no team has won back-to-back Ryder Cups since Europe claimed three consecutive victories from 2010 to 2014. The Europeans’ strong start mirrors their strategy from recent successful campaigns, where they establish an early lead and force the Americans to play from behind. With each passing match, the pressure mounts on the home team, potentially creating a snowball effect that could prove difficult to overcome.
As the tournament moves into its second day, American captain Keegan Bradley must rally his troops and find effective pairings to mount what would be a historic comeback. Saturday will feature another full day of golf beginning at 7:10 a.m. ET, with both morning and afternoon sessions presenting opportunities for Team USA to narrow the gap. The Americans will need to channel the spirit of the 1999 “Battle of Brookline” or Europe’s 2012 “Miracle at Medinah” – both iconic comebacks in Ryder Cup history – if they hope to turn the tide. For now, Europe holds the momentum, the confidence, and most importantly, a commanding lead in this biennial battle for international golfing supremacy.
