Europe takes commanding 5.5-2.5 lead into the second day of the Ryder Cup after McIlroy's dramatic finish to afternoon fourballs

Europe took a commanding 5.5-2.5 lead into Saturday’s play at Bethpage Black after a day of tense Ryder Cup action. The Continent punched ahead in the morning through a 3-1 victory in the foursomes and carried that momentum into a dramatic fourball session in the afternoon, punctuated by Rory McIlroy’s late drama and a crowd-driven narrative around Team USA.

In the opening morning session, Europe set the tone with a 5&4 win as Luke Donald and Ludvig Aberg defeated Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley. It was the kind of performance that underscored Europe’s planning and execution, with strong shotmaking and decisive finishes on the greens. Matt Fitzpatrick contributed to the day’s mood with assured ball striking and sharp chipping, and he capped his involvement with a 12-foot birdie on the 15th that summed up the day’s momentum. Aberg, Fitzpatrick and McIlroy remained central figures as Europe asserted control through both the morning and early afternoon.

By the afternoon, the fourballs kept Europe’s grip on the contest, finishing 2.5-1.5 in Europe’s favor. The highlights included a standout performance from Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka, who outplayed Scheffler and Spaun to swing the tone back toward continental strength. McIlroy and Lowry added to Europe’s advantage by earning a half in their match with Cantlay and Burns, while Justin Thomas and Cam Young supplied one of the day’s American bright spots with a 6&5 victory over Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard. The result reinforced a trend from recent Ryder Cups: momentum swings are pivotal, and Europe owned the critical moments late in the day.

McIlroy’s day mirrored the drama that has become a fixture of this event. He captured a morning victory alongside Fleetwood in the alternate-shot format, 5&4 over Collin Morikawa and Harris English, and then paired with Shane Lowry in the fourball against Cantlay and Burns, ending their match square. Cantlay, meanwhile, delivered a steady performance for the U.S.—his 1.5 points were a bright spot for the visitors, though a late miscue at the 14th, when he missed a three-footer to go one up in the final match, underscored the fine margins that defined the day.

The episode surrounding the day’s narrative included a rare scene outside the usual Ryder Cup play: President Donald Trump attended Friday’s action and was visible in the background of the event, engaging with players and staff. The presence injected an additional layer of spectacle to a competition already defined by intensity and crowd energy; one moment cited in coverage highlighted Trump fist-bumping Bryson DeChambeau at the tee before the second round of skirmishes, illustrating how politics and sport intersect in this tournament setting. Officials and players alike focused on the golf, but the atmosphere was unmistakably charged by the broader attention.

Analysts and observers also scrutinized Team USA captain Brad Bradley’s early-season decisions. The Morikawa-English pairing that opened the foursomes drew particular attention, with Data Golf’s projections suggesting it ranked among the least compatible options available to the U.S. squad on Friday. Bradley’s approach—pulling a mix of veteran presence and crowd-pleasing pairings—was described by some as gambit-driven, emphasizing mood and momentum rather than purely data-driven pairing efficiency. The day’s results suggested Europe’s preparation and execution outpaced the U.S. in the moment, though much golf remains to be played.

From a broader perspective, the day reinforced Ryder Cup dynamics that have persisted in past editions: the team that wins the first foursomes often builds a momentum arc that’s hard to reverse, and a three-point lead after Day 1 has historically been a tall order for the trailing side to erase. With 20 points still up for grabs, the United States will need to mount a significant rally if it is to overturn Friday’s deficit, while Europe will be looking to sustain its focus and extend the advantage on Saturday.

For Luke Donald, Friday offered a clear demonstration of the day’s value—planning, execution and the ability to converge on defining moments. He called the day a “great start” and said he was proud of his players for handling the environment. For Bradley, the challenge will be to translate the energy of the morning into consistent results across all formats on the weekend, adjusting pairings as necessary to counter Europe’s form.

As Bethpage Black settles into a rhythm for the remainder of the competition, each stroke will carry meaning for both teams. The narrative now shifts to Saturday, when the United States must answer Europe’s early pressure and attempt to turn momentum into a longer-term advantage, while Europe will aim to protect its lead and press its advantage with a blend of veteran experience and rising stars. The Ryder Cup, as ever, will hinge on the kind of big-hole birdies and clutch putts that defined Friday’s action and the late-day shifts that could reshape the weekend’s outcome.