The European team has widened its margin in the Ryder Cup, as they put on a dominant display over the last several matches. Following a tough match on the last day of competition for the U.S. team, Europe has extended their lead to 8.5 to 3.5. This dangerous gap leaves Americans vulnerable. They risk losing to the notorious quagmire of bad bankroll management – miss it for the 11th time in the last 15 tournaments.
On Friday morning’s opening foursomes matches, the U.S. side got off to a colossal start, or really, lack thereof, dropping three of four matches. Rory McIlroy expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating, “Excited with where our team is and we have to keep the foot down.” The Europeans outclassed them with precise execution and unselfish team play. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton defeated Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, 3-and-2.
Rahm’s been a phenomenal competitor in this event thus far. He’s 9-1-3 in his last 13 Ryder Cup matches. Rahm and Hatton have never lost a foursomes match when competing together, reinforcing their status as a formidable duo. In an incredible match between Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland, each man had two putts to win. Sadly, they weren’t able to convert and ended up losing the match up.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood’s point-winning firepower propelled Europe’s rout. They edged past Collin Morikawa and Harris English by a tab of 3-and-2. Fleetwood acknowledged the chemistry he shares with McIlroy, saying, “I’m just the lucky one that gets to play with him in foursomes and I’ll take that.”
Unfortunately for the U.S., as Europe prospered, the U.S. team could only come away with one point on the session. That meant Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young were winners, 4 and 2! They defeated England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg, adding a ray of hope to the American side’s dark moments. Young’s performance has truly transcended. He became the first American rookie to win his first two Ryder Cup matches since Patrick Reed did it in 2014.
Young’s larger influence was felt in the fourball match on Friday. Pairing with fellow American Justin Thomas, they scored the most lopsided victory of the week against Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard, 6-and-5. Even with these victories, the U.S. is under increasing fire. Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley nearly pulled off the largest comeback ever during the anchor match Friday morning, but fell short after getting hot late.
In doing so they became just the second road team ever to win 3-sessions-to-none all three sessions of a Ryder Cup. Luckily, Europe closed out the day in style. That kind of success puts them in prime position to continue to extend their lead and do more than ever before.
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