Europe Dominates Day 1 at Bethpage Black, Takes Commanding 5.5-2.5 Lead Over USA

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Team Europe delivered a masterclass in match play golf Friday at Bethpage Black, seizing a commanding 5.5-2.5 lead over Team USA after the opening day of the 2025 Ryder Cup. The visitors dominated both sessions in stunning fashion, becoming the first European team to win three of four foursomes matches on American soil while weathering a brief American resurgence in the afternoon four-ball matches.

The European assault began immediately in the morning foursomes, where Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy extended their perfect partnership record to 4-0-0, dismantling Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5&4 in a performance that set the tone for the entire day. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler's shocking struggles continued as he and Russell Henley suffered a humiliating 5&3 defeat to Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Åberg.

Morning Foursomes Results

Scheffler's Historic Struggles Continue

The most shocking storyline of Day 1 was the continued struggles of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who became the first player ranked No. 1 to go 0-2-0 at a Ryder Cup since Tiger Woods in 2002. Scheffler's putting completely abandoned him, making just one putt outside 10 feet during his two matches and appearing visibly shaken by the magnitude of his poor form.

Scheffler's struggles became symbolic of the broader American difficulties, as the home team failed to capitalize on their partisan crowd and familiar course conditions. The world No. 1's visible frustration mounted throughout the day as putts repeatedly slipped by the hole, leaving him and his partners scrambling to stay competitive.

European Excellence in Foursomes

Tommy Fleetwood maintained his perfect foursomes record, extending it to 6-0-0 overall while partnering with Rory McIlroy for their fourth consecutive foursomes victory together. The "Fleetwood Mac" partnership proved unstoppable, building early momentum with a McIlroy birdie at the first hole and never looking back against the overmatched Morikawa-English pairing.

"We've got great chemistry in foursomes," Fleetwood said after the crushing 5&4 victory. "Rory and I have played together enough to know each other's games, and we complement each other perfectly in alternate shot."

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, the two LIV Golf members on Team Europe, silenced any doubts about their integration with a dominant 4&3 victory over Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas. The European pairing took control early and never allowed the Americans to establish any momentum, despite DeChambeau's prodigious driving display that delighted the morning crowds.

Afternoon Four-Ball Drama

The afternoon four-ball session provided hope for the American team as Justin Thomas and Cameron Young delivered a devastating 6&5 victory over Ludvig Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard, matching the second-largest four-ball margin in an 18-hole Ryder Cup match. The American rookies struggled badly in their debut, unable to handle the pressure of the partisan crowd and the weight of continental expectations.

However, Europe quickly restored order as Jon Rahm continued his brilliant form, teaming with Sepp Straka to defeat Scheffler and J.J. Spaun 3&2. Rahm was magnificent throughout, making six birdies and draining a crucial 20-footer to seal the victory and extend Scheffler's winless streak to an unprecedented 0-2-0.

Presidential Visit and Crowd Atmosphere

President Donald Trump's arrival at Bethpage Black during the afternoon session provided a temporary boost to American spirits, with the Commander-in-Chief walking to the first tee with Bryson DeChambeau and generating significant crowd energy. However, the presidential presence couldn't inspire the kind of American comeback that many had anticipated.

The New York crowds, while passionate and vocal, proved less intimidating than expected for the European players. Several Europeans, particularly McIlroy and Rahm, seemed to feed off the hostile energy rather than being diminished by it, using the crowd noise as motivation rather than distraction.

Perfect Partnerships and Record Performances

Tommy Fleetwood's perfect 6-0-0 foursomes record now stands as one of the most impressive streaks in modern Ryder Cup history. His partnership with Rory McIlroy has become the most successful European foursomes pairing since the 1980s, combining McIlroy's power and emotion with Fleetwood's precision and calm demeanor.

Jon Rahm's brilliant individual performance, going 2-0-0 on the day while making six birdies in the afternoon session, demonstrated why Luke Donald fought so hard to include the LIV Golf star despite ongoing political complications. Rahm's ability to perform under pressure and deliver in crucial moments proved invaluable for European success.

Saturday's Crucial Battleground

With Europe holding a three-point advantage heading into Saturday's double session, the Americans face the daunting task of mounting a comeback against a European team that appears to be peaking at exactly the right time. The last five teams to lead after the opening day have gone on to win the Ryder Cup, putting enormous pressure on Captain Keegan Bradley to find the right combinations.

For Europe, Saturday represents an opportunity to build an insurmountable lead heading into Sunday's singles matches. Captain Luke Donald's decision-making has been vindicated thus far, with his pairings clicking perfectly and his players responding brilliantly to the pressure of playing on American soil.

The stage is set for what could be a historic Saturday at Bethpage Black, where Europe will attempt to take a stranglehold on the Ryder Cup while America fights desperately to avoid falling into a hole too deep to escape. With the weather forecast looking favorable and the course playing perfectly, golf fans worldwide can expect another day of drama and excellence from the game's greatest team competition.