It was a bruising start for Team USA on Day 1 at Bethpage Black, as Europe stormed to a commanding 3-1 lead in the opening foursomes.
Europe struck early as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton defeated Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4&3. Soon after, Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick dismantled Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 5&3.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood then cruised past Collin Morikawa and Harris English, scoring 5&4, putting Europe firmly in the driver’s seat.
But just when a clean sweep looked inevitable, the final match turned on the 17th hole. Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre sent their tee shot into the bunker, showing visible signs of pressure for the first time all day.
Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay seized the moment, closing out with a 2&1 win to put red, white and blue on the board and finally giving Keegan Bradley something to build on.
“Yeah, it’s not exactly what we wanted,” Bradley told reporters after Europe claimed three of the four matches. “But we know the Ryder Cup is going to be ebbs and flows, and I’ve got a lot of faith in our boys. Let’s see how this last match finishes up. A lot of golf left to play.”
That belief only grew stronger as Air Force One flew overhead, signaling the arrival of President Donald Trump and his granddaughter, Kai Trump, who landed at Bethpage to support Team USA.
Trump, a longtime golf enthusiast with reportedly over 20 club championships to his name, told reporters en route, “The team is not doing so well … So when I heard that, I said ‘Let’s go on the plane — we have to try and help them!’”
His arrival added a jolt of energy to the grounds, with security visibly tightened.
“Well, we just had the president fly over in his Air Force One, so I’ve got a feeling things are going to turn here,” Bradley expressed when asked about the afternoon battle on Friday.
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