Europe seizes early Ryder Cup lead with 3-1 edge after opening session

Europe seized control in the opening session of the 45th Ryder Cup, taking a 3-1 lead over the United States after the foursomes at Bethpage Black in New York.

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood extended their perfect record in foursomes to three wins from three by beating Collin Morikawa and Harris English, delivering a decisive early edge for Europe. The pair had entered the week with two foursomes wins apiece and showed no sign of slowing, surging four up inside six holes before cruising to a 3-and-1 result that set the tone for the morning session. The other European pairing of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton also made a statement, overpowering Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4 and 3 as Europe built a commanding start to the week.

Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick provided another high point for the visitors, defeating Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 5 and 3. Aberg and Fitzpatrick were among the standout performers for Europe, with Fitzpatrick’s short game in particular proving decisive—recovery chips early on and a steady run of putts, including a decisive 20-footer on the 14th, helped push the match to a finish long before the 18th green.

For the Americans, the lone bright spot came from Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, who defeated Viktor Hovland and Bob MacIntyre two up in the only match to reach the 18th hole. The result stood in contrast to the rest of the morning, where the Americans were outgunned and outpaced in the foursomes format as Europe pressed its advantage.

The mood within the U.S. camp reflected the scoreline. U.S. captain Keegan Bradley sounded pragmatic after a chaotic morning, acknowledging the challenges of facing a highly motivated European side in front of a raucous New York crowd. At one point, he recalled, the atmosphere was intense as the gallery fed off the nerves and energy around Bethpage Black. Earlier, Luke Donald, the European captain, offered a restrained nod to his team’s performance, saying, I’m very proud. We’ve come out strong. It’s been loud and we’ve thrived in the atmosphere.

Bradley, trying to put a positive gloss on a difficult start, added: In a Ryder Cup there are ebbs and flows. I have a lot of faith in the guys. The morning’s results guaranteed that the afternoon fourball session would carry real significance, with the Americans seeking to claw back ground and the Europeans aiming to protect their momentum.

The afternoon slate, featuring four separate fourball matches, promised swings in momentum. The pairs lined up were Scheffler and JJ Spaun against Rahm and Sepp Straka, Ben Griffin and Bryson DeChambeau versus Fleetwood and Justin Rose, Cameron Young and Justin Thomas versus Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard, and Rory McIlroy alongside Shane Lowry against Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay. McIlroy, a vice-captain’s pick and one of Europe’s enduring leaders, remains a central figure for the continent’s bid to win away for the first time since 2012.

The opening session’s outcome matters beyond the immediate scoreline: the winner of the first foursomes has taken the competition in each of the past five editions, a streak that underscores the host nation’s early psychological edge. Europe’s early confidence, anchored by McIlroy’s steady leadership and Fleetwood’s sharp execution, plus the breakout form of Aberg and Fitzpatrick, suggested a challenging path for the Americans as the day progressed.

The crowd’s energy, initially high for the New York crowd, shifted as Europe’s players found their range with irons and steady greens, dampening some of the home-team enthusiasm. The juxtaposition of a raucous atmosphere and precise shot-making defined the opening hours, with Europe’s players converting chances more consistently than their American counterparts.

Looking ahead, the Ryder Cup format means day two will bring a new dynamic as fourball play returns this afternoon, offering both teams opportunities to reshape the competition. If history holds, the hosts will feel pressure to overturn a 3-1 deficit, while Europe can attempt to press its advantage further and close ground on the standings. The next sessions will be crucial for the United States to recalibrate and for Europe to maintain its momentum as Bethpage Black shifts from morning heat to an afternoon mood more favorable to the day’s strategic shifts.

As the teams prepare for the next wave of matches, the sport’s attention remains fixed on the interplay of nerves, form and strategy that has defined this Ryder Cup so far. With McIlroy and Fleetwood delivering the kind of leadership that European teams have leaned on historically, and with younger players like Aberg and Fitzpatrick making an unexpected impact, Europe’s early surge in New York has set a tone that could define the week for both sides.