Europe leads USA by three after opening day of Ryder Cup

Europe dominated the morning with three commanding foursomes victories for a 3-1 cushion, then added 2.5 more points in the afternoon four-balls to tighten their grip on Bethpage Black, finishing the day with a 5.5-2.5 advantage.

“Incredible day,” Europe captain Luke Donald said. “Winning this morning was huge for us. Guys grinded to win the session this afternoon. Love where we are. I’m so proud of these guys.” Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and US star Bryson DeChambeau lost twice in a key blow to the American cause.

“No matter who it is, the scoreboard is what counts,” Fleetwood said. “We felt very prepared. To have gotten off to a good start feels great.” US captain Keegan Bradley, who said he expected a turnaround when Trump arrived to watch in the afternoon, was searching for answers.

“Europe made a lot of putts,” he said. “Happy with the way we’re playing. Hopefully it’ll turn and our putts will go in tomorrow. This is first quarter. We’ve still got three quarters to go. I’ve got a lot of faith in my boys.” Spain’s Rahm paired with Sepp Straka for a 3&2 four-ball win over Scheffler and J.J. Spaun and joined Tyrrell Hatton in a 4&3 foursomes win over DeChambeau and Justin Thomas, the Europe duo now 5-0 in foursomes.

“We started great and we have to keep it going,” Rahm said. “That’s what we did.” Scheffler was somewhat frustrated.

“We gave ourselves plenty of opportunities,” Scheffler said. “It really just came down to me not holing enough putts.” Rahm hasn’t lost in Cup pairs play since 2018 with seven wins and two ties. “I can’t take all the credit. I’ve had great partners,” Rahm said. “You can’t do this alone.” England’s Fleetwood partnered Rory McIlroy in a 5&4 foursomes win over Collin Morikawa and Harris English and then joined Justin Rose to beat Ben Griffin and DeChambeau 1-up in four-ball.

McIlroy went unbeaten after a closing four-ball tie with Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay, missing an 11-foot birdie putt at 18 for the win.

“It’s a great day for Europe,” McIlroy said. “I’m disappointed I didn’t hole that for a full point but the guys have done so well today.”

Americans Justin Thomas and Cam Young routed Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard 6&5 in four-balls without dropping a hole and Cantlay and Xander Schauffele beat Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre 2-up in foursomes for the only US wins.

McIlroy and Fleetwood won four of the first six holes, the “Fleetwood Mc” tandem improving to 3-0.

TRUMP ARRIVES AT RYDER CUP WITH US SEEKING COMEBACK

Not even President Donald Trump could make the United States golf team great again but his appearance at Friday’s opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup added fuel to the electric atmosphere around the first tee at Bethpage Black.

Europe seized a 5.5-2.5 lead after morning foursomes and afternoon four-ball matches, with American stars Bryson DeChambeau and world number one Scottie Scheffler each losing twice.

Europe started 3-0 on US soil for the first time, prompting Trump to tell reporters as he boarded a plane to New York that he had to get there and help the team.

He arrived for the four-ball matches and there was marginal improvement, Europe only going 2-1-1 in the afternoon versus 3-1 in the morning, but it was far from the “feeling things are going to turn” US captain Keegan Bradley predicted when he saw Air Force One flying overhead.

Trump walked onto the first tee for the four-ball matches to chants of “U-S-A” and cheers and later had fans chanting “Don-ald Trump” in tribute.

Trump sat in an ara protected by bulletproof plexiglass to watch but ventured out several times as players from both teams greeted him.

The President chatted with Bradley and DeChambeau as well as retired golf legend Gary Player.

Trump saluted during the singing of the US national anthem and a flyover by US military fighter jets.

Trump has appeared at a series of major sports events this year, including the Super Bowl, the US Open tennis men’s final and FIFA’s Club World Cup final.