Europe Dominate Friday Morning Session at Ryder Cup, Silencing Bethpage Crowd
FARMINGDALE, NY – Europe seized a commanding 3-1 lead after the opening fourball session of the 44th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, turning the anticipated American home advantage into a subdued atmosphere. While Brooks Koepka’s early birdie ignited the Long Island crowd, the initial spark quickly faded as Europe’s pairings systematically dismantled their American counterparts.
Rahm and Hatton dispatched DeChambeau and Thomas 4&3, a scoreline that belied an early American challenge. McIlroy and Fleetwood delivered a resounding victory over Morikawa and English, winning 5&4. Åberg and Fitzpatrick continued the European onslaught, defeating scheffler and Henley 5&3. The only American success came from Schauffele and Cantlay, who narrowly held off Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre, securing a two-up win and preventing a complete session sweep – a fate the U.S.team hadn’t faced sence 1987.
DeChambeau’s opening tee shot, nearly reaching the green on the first hole, initially electrified the Bethpage faithful, drawing a roar from the 5,000 spectators. Though, the momentum swiftly shifted. The United States, hoping for a swift start to unsettle the European team, found themselves on the back foot as Europe’s pairings established control.
By lunchtime,the boisterous carnival atmosphere had noticeably quieted. The image likely to endure for the early-rising fans, according to observers, will be the silence that descended as European dominance became apparent, overshadowing DeChambeau’s initial bravado.
