Europe Dominates Day 1, Securing 5.5-2.5 Lead Over Uninspiring Team USA at Ryder Cup

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Team Europe has established a commanding 5.5-2.5 lead over Team USA after the opening day of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Course. The European squad, captained by Luke Donald, delivered a strong performance across both foursomes and fourball sessions on Friday, leaving the American team with a significant deficit to overcome.

The day's play saw Europe win the morning foursomes 3-1 and then edge the afternoon fourballs, extending their advantage. This strong start marks the first time Europe has led after Day 1 on U.S. soil since their 2004 victory. Social media reaction reflected the sentiment, with Heath W. Black commenting on X, formerly Twitter, about "Team USA after an uninspiring front 9 today," capturing the early struggles.

Key American players, including world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau, faced a challenging day, collectively going 0-4. Scheffler, who has had a stellar year with multiple major wins, struggled with his putting, failing to secure a point in either of his matches. This performance contributed significantly to the U.S. team's overall struggles.

In contrast, Europe's stalwarts Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy proved instrumental. Rahm secured two points for Europe, showcasing dominant form in both his foursomes and fourball matches. McIlroy also contributed significantly, maintaining an impressive record in his recent Ryder Cup appearances. European captain Luke Donald praised his team's ability to thrive in a hostile environment, stating, "They know how to handle that stuff."

The atmosphere at Bethpage Black was further charged by the presence of former President Donald Trump during the afternoon session, who rallied the home crowd. Despite the patriotic fervor, the U.S. team could not capitalize on the energy to significantly close the gap. Captain Keegan Bradley acknowledged the team's disappointment but expressed confidence in his players and their strategy for the remainder of the tournament.

Historically, only one team has come back from a 5.5-2.5 deficit or worse after two sessions to win a Ryder Cup, a feat achieved by the U.S. in 1999. With Day 2 foursomes pairings announced, Team USA faces an uphill battle to turn the tide and prevent Europe from securing a historic away victory.