Team USA entered the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, as heavy favorites. Despite coming off an embarrassing performance in Rome two years ago, the Americans have not lost on home soil since 2012.
But after the Friday morning foursome session, Team Europe leads 3-1. But it wasn’t just losing three points early that raised eyebrows, but how it happened.
Team USA was throttled in each of the three matches, prompting concern from fans and the GOAT, Michael Jordan.
After the morning session concluded, GOLF.com reporter James Colgan quoted Jordan’s concern.
“We got problems,” Jordan said.
Indeed, the Americans face an uphill climb. Friday marked the first time in Ryder Cup history that the Europeans won the first three points on American soil, according to ESPN Stats & Research.
It is also the first time that they won three points with at least three holes remaining to kick off a Ryder Cup.
This comes, of course, after Team USA was dismantled two years ago.
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald brought nearly the same team to New York. Eleven of the 12 members from Rome are on the roster, with Nicolai Hojgaard being replaced by his twin brother, Rasmus.
Europe kicked things off with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton soundly defeating Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas, 4 & 3. Not long after, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler lost another point in the Ryder Cup, as he and teammate Russell Henley were beaten 5 & 3 by Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg.
The European domination continued as Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood captured the third point over Collin Morikawa and Harris English, 5 & 4.
Thankfully for Team USA, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele salvaged a point with a 2-up victory in the final match of the morning foursome session.
“If we’re only going to win one point, it might as well be the anchor match to get some momentum going,” Schauffele said after Europe went ahead 3-1 in the opening session. “We need to get some points on the board in the afternoon.”
Thus far, that sentiment is ringing true.
As the event switches to the four-ball format, Team USA leads two matches, trails one, and is all square in the fourth.
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