RESULTS
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The United States were looking for a fresh start at the Ryder Cup by introducing the youngest team in their history to the tournament. The decision was better than expected on Friday at the Whistling Straits course.
The Americans took a 6-2 lead for their best Ryder Cup first day since 1975.
Teaming up with Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas orchestrated a comeback to clear a three-hole delay against Europeans Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland.
Thomas and Cantlay ended their duel by picking up a half point more for the United States in the last match of the day, under the formula of the best ball.
“I think a 3-1 score for both sessions of the day is a great start,” said Cantlay, after a great career start at the Ryder Cup. Hopefully we can keep the pedal down and continue playing the same way. “
The Spaniards Jon Rahm, the best player in the world, and Sergio Garcia set the tone by starting the day with a victory for Europe.
Rahm gave his side an extra half point when he and Tyrell Hatton drew Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler in the afternoon.
DeChambeau and Scheffler were in a good position to win by one hole, but Hatton put in a very nice 5-iron shot that left the ball close to the cup. He succeeded the birdie to create equality.
“These kinds of blows can turn the wind,” Rahm insisted.
In the other afternoon games, Americans Tony Finau and Harris English beat Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry by a score of 4-and-3. Dustin Johnson and Xander Scheatele defeated Europeans Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger at 2-and-1.
“We can come from behind at 6-2,” said McIlroy, who lost two games on the same day for the first time in his career at the Ryder Cup.
Johnson and ScHotele both registered two wins on Friday.
Earlier Friday, Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger capped a fruitful morning for the Americans by winning 2-and-1 over Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The excellent performance of the United States came in front of fully packed stands on the Whistling Straits course, with most spectators biased towards the local players.
Cantlay and Sc Chaudele intractable
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This is the biggest lead for the United States since it started day two with a 6½ to 1½ priority in 1975, four years before the rest of Europe joined the Great -Brittany and Ireland with the aim of making the Ryder Cup more competitive.
The Americans are trying to get their hands on the cup after losing in Paris three years ago. Europe have won the Ryder Cup in nine of the tournament’s last 12 performances.
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