Ryder Cup jublilation in New York
The European Ryder Cup team got off to a blistering start at the Bethpage Black Course in New York, USA with a surprisingly solid first day battle against the Americans in the 45th Ryder Cup (26-28 September 2025). The defending champions were sublime in the morning foursomes securing a 3-1 victory over the USA which they followed with a formidable 2½-1½ success in the afternoon fourballs. So far, so good for Europe who, rather surprisingly, lead the Ryder Cup after day one with a score of 5½ to 2½. However, there are still two more days to go with foursomes and fourballs today followed by the spectacular singles tussle with the full team of 12 on Sunday. So anything can happen on the American soil and the fans, I must say, are fiercely enthusiastic!
The course at Bethpage Black was buzzing from as early as 5.00 in the morning when the fans arrived there in the dark. A few hours later the sun shone brightly and the 50,000 golf fanatics began to chant and sing their hearts out for the world’s best. And just before the foursomes were due to finish, the President of the USA, Donald Trump was preparing to visit the course to inspire his team in the fourball matches.
European Team Captain Luke Donald was delighted with his team on day one when he selected his best eight to challenge the USA.
Spain’s Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton (England) played in number one spot against Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas. The Americans got off to a flying start in which they dominated the first six holes. The Europeans then took hold of the match and by the 11th hole were 1-up.
The World Number One player Scottie Scheffler teed-off second with Russell Henley as his foursomes partner. They were up against Europeans Ludvig Åberg (Sweden) and England’s Matt Fitzpatrick. And what a match they were having! Unbelievable! After ten holes the Europeans were 4-up. Could they hold this lead for a few more holes? Well, actually they did. Playing foursomes, Fitzpatrick eventually had a putt which he needed to hole in two for victory. And, yes, the Englishman just struck it beautifully so that it toppled into the hole for a 5&3 victory with Åberg. Europe was absolutely thrilled!
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) had Englishman Tommy Fleetwood as his foursomes partner in the morning. And what an impressive duo it was. After nine holes they were 4-up on Collin Morikawa and Harris English. Four holes later, they had soared to 5-up giving the Americans a very narrow-chance to halve the match on the final hole. But it was not to be. The Europeans holed a putt from half-a-meter to seize the victory 5&4.
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton won the 12th and 13th holes from Bryson DeChambeau to get to 3-up. They were an intimidating pair together and finally won the match in great style for a third European point.
The only match still out on the course was Viktor Hovland (Norway) and Robert MacIntyre (Scotland) playing against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. After eight holes the Americans were 1-up but the Europeans were fighting-back furiously.
On the 15th, Schauffele’s tee-shot soared way left leaving Cantlay a tricky shot out of the rough. They finished just short of the green in thick rough just like the Europeans. Schauffele then missed a short putt while Hovland holed his to make a half. They then halved the 16th too. Could the Europeans produce a miracle and win this match too?
Well, the par-3, 17th left the Europeans frustated as MacIntyre’s tee-shot came up short in the sandbunker. Schauffele hit a superb shot onto the green. Cantlay’s putt pulled-up short but was given so the Americans made par. However, MacIntyre’s putt slipped by which gave the Americans a 1-up advantage. This last match was a real nail-biter and attracted the full-force of Ryder Cup fans.
The par-4, 18th hole stretches out over 412 yards with bunkers galore on both sides of the fairway. Hovland’s drive soared to the right into the rough. Cantlay was safely on the fairway. Schauffele played a superb shot onto the green while MacIntyre ended in the greenside bunker. Hovland played a great shot onto the green but, alas, the Scot missed the putt which left the Americans the winners on 2-up.
Morning Foursomes result: USA 1 – Europe 3.
The last time that Europe won the opening session in America was 21 years ago – in 2004. What does Europe have in store for USA in the afternoon fourballs?
Former World Number One, Jon Rahm was partnered by Sepp Straka (Austria). They teed-off against the current World Number One, Scottie Scheffler and the US Open Champion J.J. Spaun.
Rahm delighted the Europeans when he holed a putt for birdie at the 11th to get his team to 3-up. He later had a great chance for eagle at the 13th but made birdie instead. On the next hole he holed an enormous putt to hang on to their 3-up lead.
America’s Justin Thomas teamed-up with Cameron Young who is playing in his first Ryder Cup. Thomas made a terrific birdie at the 11th to get to 4-up against Ludvig Aberg (Sweden) and Rasmus Hojgaard (Denmark).
On the 11th hole, the English pairing of Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose celebrated Fleetwood’s putt for birdie which won them the hole against Bryson DeChambeau and Ben Griffin. The Europeans triumphed by one hole.
Cameron Young, partnered by Justin Thomas, was having a terrific day at Bethpage Black where he birdied the 12th to stretch America’s lead in this match to 5-up. One hole later he and Thomas had two putts to win the match against Aberg and Hojgaard with a 6&5 victory.
Rahm and Straka won their match by 3&2 to secure another point for Europe.
In the final match, Shane Lowry’s birdie at the 11th got the player from Ireland with Rory McIlroy to 2-up against Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns. The Americans then won the next two holes before finally settling with a halved match at the 18th.
End of play score on day one: USA 2.5 – Europe 5.5.
But let’s not get too excited! There are still two more days of scintallating golf to be had at Bethpage Black in New York, USA. So please sit back, relax and enjoy it!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: America and Europe stand ready to claim the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup. MINIS (l-r): Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre.