This 43 Ryder Cup could hardly have started worse for Team Europe. The defending champion did not exist on this first day and only Jon Rahm was able to stand out, with a victory in the foursome disputed with Sergio García in the morning and a draw in 18 with Tyrell Hatton in the four-ball.
Only one American defeat in 8 matches
For the rest, the Americans were a cut above, winning 3 out of 4 foursomes and 2 out of 4 four-ball without conceding a defeat. In the morning, the pair composed by Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa, respectively world number 2 and 3, took the lead over Paul Casey and the Norwegian rookie Viktor Hovland by winning consecutively holes 6 and 7 then driving the nail at 11 and 12 to lead 3up.
Ryder Cup
The miraculous coup of the day (and maybe the weekend) is signed Spieth
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17 HOURS AGO
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The experienced Lee Westwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick almost made Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger doubt. They were even tied at the halfway point after being led 2down. But the 10-11 sequence was fatal to the European pair who could not be behind a second time.
Starting in fourth position, the match Patrick Cantlay-Xander Sc Chaudele v. Rory McIlroy-Ian Poulter turned to demonstration, even humiliation with the first 5 holes won by the Americans. Only the Spanish pair Rahm-García inflicted a defeat this Friday against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
Americans unbeatable? They are stronger but in the end, it is (often) Europe that wins
McIlroy’s ordeal
McIlroy’s day turned into a total nightmare in the afternoon. Coupled with rookie Shane Lowry, the former world number 1 landed an eagle at 5 and that’s about it. The pair Harris English-Tony Finau did not give a gift with 5 birdies including 4 for the only “Big Tone”. Started in third position, the match was the first to end, proof of US ultra domination.
Already in great shape in the morning, ScHotele and Johnson did not spare the suspense against Paul Casey and rookie Bernd Wiesberger by winning the 3, 4 and 5 from the start. Returning to 1down, the Europeans received a new sledgehammer at 10 and 11 after two birdies from Johnson, particularly in verve on a course swept by the wind and which almost cost Jon Rahm dearly at 15. Fortunately for Pádraig Harrington and his team, the Bryson DeChambeau-Scottie Scheffler pair faltered at 18, after a superb meeting, hooked and spectacular.
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Europe will bitterly regret the two putts missed by Tommy Fleetwood on the 10 and 11, when, with Hovland, he could pass 4up. After winning holes 9 and 12, Thomas and Cantlay came back up to 16 to share the point.
The United States leads 6 – 2 before the start of the Saturday morning foursome session and we have to go back to 1999 to find any trace of a team managing to return such a disbursement after the first 8 matches. That year, in Brookline (Massachusetts), Team USA achieved the feat during Singles Day on Sunday. But given his absolute confidence and in front of his audience, it is hard to imagine Steven Stricker’s team collapsing.
Friday morning foursome results
- Rahm-Garcia (Europe) def Thomas-Spieth (United States): 3 & 1
- Johnson-Morikawa (United States) beats Casey-Hovland (Europe): 3 & 2
- Koepka-Berger (United States) def. Westwood-Fitzpatrick (Europe): 2 & 1
- Cantlay-ScHotele (United States) beats McIlroy-Poulter (Europe): 5 & 3
Friday afternoon four-ball results
- Johnson-Sc Chaudele (United States) beats Wiesberger-Casey (Europe): 2 &; 1
- Scheffler-DeChambeau (United States) tied Rahm-Hatton (Europe)
- English-Finau (United States) beats McIlroy-Lowry (Europe): 4 &; 3
- Thomas-Cantlay (United States) tied Fleetwood-Hovland (Europe)
Ryder Cup
The United States breaks away after the first four foursomes
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17 HOURS AGO
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Ryder Cup
‘I never said it was negative’: Koepka rejects Ryder Cup criticism outright
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