Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black: A European Domination

The Bethpage Black was designed with accessibility in mind—made for everyday golfers, those who might even camp out in their cars just to score a tee time.

However, it seems the essence of America doesn’t quite feel at home here.

After another rough morning for Team USA, the European team is nearly claiming victory, now leading 11½-4½ as the final day of the 45th Ryder Cup approaches.

With 12 singles matches still to go, Europe needs only 14 points to retain the trophy, aiming for their first away win since 2012. Historically, no team has ever come back from a four-point deficit on the final day. The American team hasn’t lost more than nine points in recent history.

Europe kicked off the event with a bang, winning the first three foursome matches, marking a historic first on foreign soil in the 98-year span of the Ryder Cup. They also secured three additional wins in the alternate shot format.

Since the 2023 Ryder Cup began, the U.S. has struggled, with a record of just 3 wins to 13 losses in foursome play. Europe also took the cumulative four-ball play title for the first time since 2010, tallying the highest points total by teams over two days since 1979.

In their last Ryder Cup appearance in 2021, the U.S. faced a historic loss, and with around 50,000 fans expected at the state park on Sunday, it seems they might witness yet another tough chapter for the Americans.

“Anything can happen,” said Bryson DeChambeau. “It might be a bit biased, but I really believe in an underdog comeback.”

Unlike Friday, the U.S. came out strong with a few bright spots. Young, a rookie, secured wins in his first two Ryder Cup matches, narrowing Europe’s lead to two points. Still, Captain Keegan Bradley had reasons to hesitate as the remaining matches unfolded.

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood decisively beat Colin Morikawa and Harris English (3 & 2) for the second consecutive day. McIlroy’s record in his last nine Ryder Cup contests has now improved to 7-1-1, while Fleetwood remains unbeaten in the format.

“Our top players need to shine,” Donald commented. “And they really stepped up today.”

Team USA’s only successful pairing at Foursomes on Friday, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, unfortunately fell to Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm (3 & 2). Rahm made quite a splash with a stunning 49-foot putt on the 8th hole, a moment he described as “incredible.”

The atmosphere on Long Island shifted from a shaky start to a more lively and hopeful crowd. Fans geared up for an improbable comeback, though some got a bit rowdy, directing their taunts mostly at McIlroy.

Interactions between players remained civilized, aside from a brief moment between Justin Rose and DeChambeau. McIlroy and Shane Lowry managed to charm the crowd but the pressure clearly weighed on Team USA.

Scotty Scheffler showed improvement in his game from the day before, looking closer to form, while rookie Russell Henley continued to face challenges with his putting. Viktor Hovland and Bob Macintyre made a push in a tight match, but the pressure was palpable, with hecklers making their voices heard.

Sadly, Henley missed a crucial opportunity, allowing Hovland to center his focus and make a tense putt, leading to a wildly emotional celebration from the crowd.

“It was instinctive,” Hovland recounted. “I think I lost myself in the moment. It was intense.”

As the day wore on, ticket prices for the final game dropped significantly. The anticipation for the next rematch in 2027 in Ireland is one of the few highlights left on the horizon.