The European team made history by winning all four alternate-shot matches on Friday morning, marking their first 4-0 start in Ryder Cup sessions. This dominant start comes after their 19-9 defeat in Wisconsin in 2021. On this morning, the U.S. team struggled to lead in any of the matches.
This impressive feat by the European team is a rare occurrence, as they’ve only managed such a session sweep four times. This year marks the first time since 2006 that they’ve led after an initial session, a year in which they claimed the Ryder Cup with a score of 18½-9½ in Ireland.
Shane Lowry of Ireland commented on their strong start and the importance of maintaining this momentum. Despite the European team’s strong showing, there’s still a lot of golf left, with the U.S. team looking to break a 30-year dry spell in Ryder Cups held outside their home turf.
Rahm and Hatton of Europe showcased their strength with a 4-and-3 win over top golfer Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns. Their control was evident early on, with Rahm securing notable shots that kept their lead unchallenged. The American pair has had a challenging history, previously underperforming in the Presidents Cup in 2022.
The American team’s Brian Harman and Max Homa couldn’t turn the tide against Hovland and Aberg, losing 4 and 3. Hovland’s performance was particularly notable, while Aberg also made significant contributions.
Homa acknowledged the challenges, praising the Europeans’ gameplay.
In another match, Fowler and Morikawa faced a defeat against Lowry and Straka, despite their efforts to make a comeback. Similarly, Cantlay and Schauffele faced a 2 and 1 loss against McIlroy and Fleetwood, further emphasizing the European team’s dominance.
The upcoming schedule includes four best-ball matches, featuring pairings like Spieth and Thomas against Hovland and Hatton, among others. The U.S. team remains hopeful for a turn-around.
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