The Pride of Long Island Represents America’s Dirt
Friday morning marked the start of the 45th Ryder Cup at Beth Page Black, where Team Europe swiftly quieted the enthusiastic crowd of over 55,000, taking a commanding 5½-2½ lead as they wrested control from Team USA on the esteemed public course.
The European team, boasting 11 of the 12 players from the victorious Rome Ryder Cup, made history by winning all three opening foursome matches, marking the first time in the 98-year history of the event that they pulled off such a feat.
Since 2012, the host nation has held onto the Ryder Cup. The U.S. requires 14.5 points to clinch victory, while Europe needs just 14 to retain the trophy.
“We only play 28% of the points,” Captain Keegan Bradley remarked. “This is just the first quarter. There are still three more quarters to go. I have a lot of faith in the boys.”
The day kicked off in the early hours, with thousands making a beeline through the state park, eager to snag seats in the massive grandstand behind the first tee. By 6 a.m., every spot was filled, while anticipation mounted as the sun broke through, changing the sky from dark gray to a warm tangerine.
Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas appeared with an American flag draped over their shoulders, while fans sang an acapella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The energy radiated a singular focus—victory.
As the competition commenced, Jon Rahm kicked things off with a spectacular 344-foot drive that echoed through the course.
The hefty $750 day ticket and the early wake-up call felt worth it, though that was arguably the highlight of the American experience on that first day at Beth Page Black.
With red, white, and blue attire everywhere, thousands roamed from hole to hole, hopeful yet monitoring the scoreboard, which at times seemed more favorable to Europe than to Team USA, as chants for “Europe” outnumbered those for “America.”
What unfolded on Tillinghast’s masterpiece was astonishing; the first three European pairings wrapped up their matches in just 10 minutes, each finishing with a commanding lead at hole 16. This marked the first instance since 1951 where a team won three matches on at least four holes during the opening session.
“It was great, but it’s just one step in a long journey,” Rahm noted. “We have to start strong and keep that momentum.”
As for Scottie Scheffler, he stumbled yet again. Following a dismal 0-2-2 showing at the 2023 event, he faced an even tougher challenge this time, alongside DeChambeau, who faltered after their initial hole. Ludvig Aberg aided Matt Fitzpatrick in securing victory against Scheffler and Russell Henley, marking a 3-0 start for their pairing.
In the past two Ryder Cups, Europe has dominated with a 10-2 record in foursomes. They celebrated their first-session wins, something that hasn’t happened for Team USA since 1971.
Despite their struggles, Team USA found a moment of redemption as Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay battled back to a tie after hole 16, sending a wave of electricity through the crowd.
“We noticed a lot of blue on the board,” Schauffele said. “We understood how vital it was to secure points.”
Even with President Donald Trump’s appearance in the afternoon session, the U.S. couldn’t find its rhythm. New Yorkers Cam Young and Justin Thomas faced tough competition, losing significantly, while JJ Spaun made his Ryder Cup debut alongside Scheffler, suffering defeat against Rahm and Sepp Straka without a single birdie to show for it.
As the sun set behind the final hole tree, the mood gradually shifted. The crowd, once lively, fell into a hush as the scoreboard reflected the struggles.
Darkness enveloped the course.
