Europe Takes Commanding Ryder Cup Lead Over USA After Heated Day Two at Bethpage Black

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Europe surged to a commanding Ryder Cup lead over the United States after Day Two at Bethpage Black, moving to an 11.5-4.5 edge with Sunday singles looming. The day featured a mix of tight matches, high drama and tense moments as both sides battled under tight conditions and a boisterous crowd.

In the morning, Europe captured three of the four foursomes matches, extending a strong performance that has defined this event on foreign soil. The European momentum carried into the afternoon session, and while the U.S. fought to close the gap, Europe added three more points in the four-ball format to push the lead further. The Americans secured a single point in the session, with one match still in flux late in the day.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry drew substantial attention from the Long Island crowd, with taunts and interruptions that tested players outside the ropes. McIlroy, who has long been a focal point for critics on U.S. soil, faced verbal pressure during the morning and was seen responding selectively to the pace and language of the crowd. Lowry also faced momentary disruption, leading to discussions about security involvement and the line between enthusiasm and disrespect in a Ryder Cup setting. On the course, Europe’s rhythm remained impressively steady, helped in part by veteran leadership and sharp play from its best players.

In the afternoon, Europe extended its advantage in the four-ball matches, with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry delivering again for the European side in the late stages of the day. Their sustained chemistry helped Europe win several matches by solid margins, even as the U.S. answered in a few moments of brilliance.

A moment that underscored the day’s drama came on the course where Jon Rahm used a brilliant 49-foot chip from the rough to break a tie in a crucial foursomes matchup, providing a spark for Europe as it built its afternoon lead. Rahm’s shot, which came in a high-stakes situation, set the tone for another wave of European confidence, even as Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood exchanged words briefly on the 15th green amid a tense exchange of pleasantries between caddies and players. Fleetwood went on to earn his fourth point in as many matches this week, further cementing his status as a Ryder Cup legend in the current run of results.

The performance of the United States continued to face the uphill climb many expected heading into the weekend. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler entered Day Two with a rough run, and his results worsened as he became the first player since 1971 to lose his first three matches and then take the course for a fourth this Saturday. His struggles, combined with Europe’s depth in both foursomes and four-ball, compounded the U.S. challenge as Sunday singles approached with a daunting margin.

As the day ended, the scoreboard reflected a record-setting position for Europe: the two-day tally marked the most points by any team through two days since 1979, and the Europeans also claimed four-ball supremacy for the first time since 2010. The United States, facing its largest deficit entering Sunday under the current format, needed 10 points to win the Ryder Cup, a target equal to turning the clock on a match that has drifted toward a European victory in Long Island.

An old adage about the Ryder Cup holds true in this setting: anything can happen in a single day, and Sunday’s singles matches promise drama even if the odds are steep. With 12 matches remaining, Europe needed 14 points to retain the trophy, while the U.S. would need to reach 14.5 to claim a victory on home soil. The historical record under the current 28-point format indicates no team has ever overcome a deficit larger than four points on the final day, further underscoring the tough task ahead for the Americans.

The crowd’s energy remained high as fans prepared for Sunday, with tickets for the final day moving at a fraction of face value as the event’s outcome began to crystallize. The potential for a historic comeback kept the atmosphere electric, even as Europe appeared poised to secure the trophy with a day to spare. Analysts noted the matchup’s narrative arc would depend on whether the U.S. could unleash a high-impact performance from its stars in the singles, a challenge given Europe’s current form and the all-around balance across its lineup.

Looking ahead, Sunday’s singles will determine not only the Ryder Cup’s recipient but also the complexion of the event’s legacy on U.S. soil. The 2027 Ryder Cup is scheduled for Ireland, a reminder that the competition remains a hub of pride and intensity across the sport, with every shot and every concession carrying significance for the players, captains, and fans who live for the moment when sport’s oldest rivalry surges back to life on the green.

By the close of Day Two, Europe’s lead stood as a stark statement of intent, with the U.S. tasked with re-emerging in dramatic fashion to keep the trophy on American soil. The day’s chapters—tight matches, crowd interaction, and standout moments—set the stage for a potentially historic Sunday in Farmingdale, where every point would count toward the Ryder Cup’s next chapter.