Ryder Cup 2025: Europe Takes Early Lead at Bethpage Black
Europe Takes Command in 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The much-anticipated 2025 Ryder Cup kicked off at Bethpage Black on Friday, and Europe wasted no time in asserting its dominance, surging to a surprising 3-1 lead over the United States. As the Americans aim to reclaim the trophy and prevent Europe from achieving a historic road victory, the stakes have never been higher.
Despite entering the tournament as slight favorites, the U.S. team faced a harsh reality in the morning foursomes, suffering a historic defeat. For the first time on home soil, the top three American pairings fell to their European counterparts. Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas ignited the Long Island crowd by winning the opening hole, but their momentum quickly fizzled, with Europe claiming 18 holes to the U.S.’s meager four.
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley now faces the daunting task of recalibrating his strategy for the afternoon’s four-ball matches. “We need to regroup and come back stronger,” Bradley stated, acknowledging the need for significant changes in pairings and tactics.
Leading the American charge is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, while Europe boasts a formidable lineup, including power-ranked golfers Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood. The U.S. roster, while deeper overall, features four rookies compared to just one for Europe, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition.
As the afternoon four-ball matches approach, anticipation builds among fans and players alike. The new pairings, crafted by both captains, promise an exciting continuation of the tournament, with plenty of golf left to play.
Day 1 Results: Europe 4 | United States 2
Session 1 – Foursomes:
- Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton def. Bryson DeChambeau & Justin Thomas 4&3
- Ludvig Åberg & Matt Fitzpatrick def. Scottie Scheffler & Russell Henley 5&3
- Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood def. Collin Morikawa & Harris English 5&4
- Robert MacIntyre & Viktor Hovland vs. Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay (2 UP)
Session 2 – Four-ball:
- Jon Rahm & Sepp Straka def. Scottie Scheffler & J.J. Spaun 3&2
- Tommy Fleetwood & Justin Rose vs. Ben Griffin & Bryson DeChambeau (2 UP thru 17)
- Ludvig Åberg & Rasmus Højgaard def. Cameron Young & Justin Thomas 6&5
- Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry vs. Sam Burns & Patrick Cantlay (TIED thru 15)
As the sun sets over Bethpage Black, the U.S. team must rally to turn the tide in this fierce battle for golf supremacy. Fans can expect an electrifying afternoon of four-ball action as the competition heats up. Stay tuned for live updates, scores, and highlights from this thrilling Ryder Cup showdown.
