Europe came to Bethpage Black as underdogs. By Saturday afternoon, they looked like favorites rewriting the record books. Behind Jon Rahm’s intensity and rookie Ludvig Åberg’s fearless play, the Europeans built an 8-3 lead over the United States after three sessions, winning three of four afternoon fourball matches.
That kind of road dominance hasn’t been seen in more than six decades. The last time a visiting team opened the Ryder Cup this strong was in 1961, when Arnold Palmer made his debut and the Americans rolled past Great Britain at Royal Lytham & St Annes. This time, it’s Luke Donald’s team breaking new ground – and they’re doing it in one of golf’s most intimidating environments.
Bethpage fans delivered exactly what was expected: noise, passion, and unrelenting pressure. President Donald Trump’s presence only added to the patriotic charge. Donald prepared his squad for it, reminding them that New York sports crowds demand grit over glamour. “Bethpage isn’t shy,” the captain said earlier this week. “You earn every cheer here.” His players have done more than that – they’ve taken the cheers away from the Americans.
Scheffler’s Slide Becomes the Story
If Europe’s rise has defined the competition, Scottie Scheffler’s struggles have told the other half. The world No. 1 has gone winless through four matches, a first under the modern Ryder Cup format.
It started with a 5&3 loss on Friday morning and never improved. Paired with Russell Henley and Bryson DeChambeau across different sessions, Scheffler’s putter betrayed him while Europe’s rookies showed no fear. Saturday ended the same way – another point lost, another chance gone. Body language told the story: shoulders slumped, eyes down, a player used to leading suddenly looking lost.
Europe on the Brink of History
By Saturday evening, the scoreboard read 11-4 in Europe’s favor. That gap leaves the United States staring at the possibility of one of their worst home defeats. To put it in perspective, only one team in history has ever erased a deficit this large entering Sunday singles.
If Europe closes it out, they won’t just retain the Cup. They’ll become the first European squad to dominate all three opening sessions on U.S. soil. That’s the kind of statement that echoes across generations – and one the Americans may not soon forget.
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