Europe on the brink of Ryder Cup victory after chaotic Saturday at Bethpage

NEW YORK — Europe moved to the brink of a crushing Ryder Cup victory over the United States after a Saturday defined by feverish noise and on-course dominance at Bethpage Black. Through two days of play, the Continent had converted a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead, thanks to a relentless pace in both morning foursomes and afternoon fourballs that left the Americans searching for answers and the European side riding a wave of momentum.

The mood around the course deteriorated as the day wore on. Rory McIlroy, public enemy No. 1 to some U.S. fans, faced sustained jeering at the first tee and throughout the rounds, including explicit taunts that followed him into and around the greens. His wife, Erica, was in attendance for much of the day and, according to witnesses, heard a level of personal abuse that extended beyond the usual Cup banter. The intensity of the crowd led to security measures: police dogs were deployed at greens as fans were ejected for crossing lines of decency. In one match, a spectator directed a profanity toward Justin Rose; in another, Shane Lowry appeared to respond to taunts from the crowd, and Tommy Fleetwood engaged in a heated exchange with Bryson DeChambeau. While some level of hostility is part of the Ryder Cup fabric, officials and players noted that lines were crossed.

From a sporting standpoint, the afternoon brought a continuation of Europe’s dominance. The Europeans opened Friday with a 3-1 edge in the morning foursomes and followed with another 3-1 in the evening fourballs, extending the momentum into Saturday. Among the standout performers, Tommy Fleetwood continued his perfect form from the group stages, improving to four wins from four starts over the two days. McIlroy, who has shouldered heavy expectations, has dropped only a half-point through two days as his team navigates a volatile atmosphere that has amplified every putt and every shout.

Jon Rahm has been a driving force for Europe, collecting multiple points and contributing to a larger team total that has stymied the U.S. rhythm. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, by contrast, endured a historically tough stretch, going 0-4 through the first two days—a mark that matches a rare statistic not seen since 1979. He was defeated in the morning by a pairing featuring Bob MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland, a result that underscored Europe’s sharp putter’s touch and strategic clarity in the match play format. Scheffler and DeChambeau, as a later pairing, were unable to withstand Fleetwood and Rose, losing 3&2 in the section that followed.

On the U.S. side, captain Keegan Bradley has faced scrutiny for lineup decisions that critics say failed to maximize the squad’s strengths in the altered formats. Bradley’s decision to pair Harris English with Collin Morikawa for consecutive foursomes drew immediate commentary, with a 3&2 loss seen by many as emblematic of a strategy that did not yield the desired balance or momentum. By contrast, Justin Thomas has been a motor behind the Americans’ efforts in some matches, though his composure has been tested by the emotionally charged backdrop.

In the fourball sessions, the American team managed to claim a fleeting spark late on Saturday when Thomas and Cameron Young overcame a deficit to nearly turn the tide against McIlroy and Lowry before the European side steadied again. The day’s most dramatic moment came at the 14th hole of a crucial match, when McIlroy, in front by a narrow margin, slammed a 10-foot putt to go back ahead and responded with a signature yell toward the crowd after the successful stroke. That moment captured the blend of exhilaration and tension that has defined this edition."