Europe made a strong start to the Ryder Cup against the USA at Bethpage Black outside New York on Friday. After four matches in foursome and four in best ball, Europe was leading 5.5–2.5.
Ludvig Åberg contributed with a point when the Swede, in a pair with Matt Fitzpatrick, England, defeated the world's number one Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley with a clear 5/3.
Leading other matches
Europe's captain Luke Donald wanted the duo to show the way even in Saturday's first foursome match, but against Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young it was tougher.
Åberg/Fitzpatrick only won one hole against the Americans and after twelve played holes, the European duo was behind by three holes. A grip that DeChambeau/Young never released.
On hole 16, it was decided – the Americans won the match with 4/2.
However, Europe was able to take Saturday's first point shortly after. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood won with 3/2 against Harris English and Collin Morikawa.
A while later, the second point came for Europe when Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton won with 3/2 against Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay.
The match between Robert MacIntyre/Viktor Hovland and Russell Henley/Scottie Scheffler lived up to the 18th and final hole, but the European team was able to hold on to victory with 1/0.
Thus, Europe is leading 8.5–3.5 ahead of the four best balls later on Saturday evening, Swedish time. Then Luke Donald chooses to rest Åberg.
Lost in best ball
Åberg played in best ball on Friday, but then it was a tough loss in a pair with the Dane Rasmus Højgaard against Cameron Young and Justin Thomas (5/6).
Europe won the competition last time, in Rome two years ago. The last time it was a European victory on American soil was, however, 2012.
The Ryder Cup ends with singles on Sunday. In the event of a tie 14–14, Europe will retain the trophy. The USA must reach 14.5 points to win the competition.
Saturday's best balls (Europe's players first):
18.25: Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry–Justin Thomas/Cameron Young
18.41: Tommy Fleetwood/Justin Rose–Scottie Scheffler/Bryson DeCambeau
18.56: Jon Rahm/Sepp Straka–JJ Spaun/Xander Schauffele
19.13: Viktor Hovland/Matt Fitzpatrick–Sam Burns/Patrick Cantlay
Results, Saturday's foursome:
Ludvig Åberg/Matt Fitzpatrick–Bryson DeChambeau/Cameron Young 2/4.
Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood–Harris English/Collin Morikawa 3/2.
Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton–Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay 3/2.
Robert MacIntyre/Viktor Hovland–Russell Henley/Scottie Scheffler 1/0.
Total score ahead of the best balls: 8.5–3.5 to Europe.
The classic team competition Ryder Cup between Europe and the USA is being held this year at Bethpage Black on Long Island, a few miles east of central New York.
Initially, pair play is played – four foursome matches are followed by four best ball matches on both Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, the competition ends with twelve singles matches.
A total of 28 points are at stake. At the final score of 14–14, Europe will retain the trophy as the reigning champion.
The first Ryder Cup was played between the USA and the United Kingdom in 1927. In 1973, the United Kingdom was joined by Ireland in the team, and from 1979 onwards, it is the USA and Europe that meet.
The competition has been decided every other year with three exceptions: a break during World War II and two editions that were postponed by one year (2001 due to the 9/11 attacks and 2020 due to the pandemic).
