Europe takes early edge on Ryder Cup day one at Bethpage as WAGs showcase coordinated fashion

Bethpage Black set the stage for an action-packed Ryder Cup opening on Long Island, with Europe grabbing an early advantage in the morning foursomes. After a tense start to the week, Team Europe posted a strong surge in the early sessions, securing three of four matches as play began under bright fall skies. The mood on site was buoyed by a lively crowd and a ceremony-like atmosphere as the first wave of foursomes hit the course. As the day progressed, Team USA mounted a push to trim the deficit, creating a seesaw dynamic that kept the crowd engaged from first light.

The day also unfolded as a fashion showcase of sorts, with the wives and girlfriends of the players making coordinated statements in their outfits. Europe’s group largely adhered to a navy theme with yellow accents, a visual cue that echoed their team colors. Erica Stoll, the wife of Rory McIlroy, stood out in a straw-colored hat and blouse, complemented by gold-toned jewelry including a notable Patek Philippe Nautilus watch. Kelley Cahill, Jon Rahm’s wife, followed a similar silk-and-blue motif, wearing a blue blazer over an off-white blouse and often seen perched on her husband’s golf cart. Luke Donald’s wife, Diane, arrived in a blazer of the same blue shade paired with white shorts, completing a streamlined, elegant look among the European contingent.

For Team USA, the WAGs coordinated a markedly different aesthetic, wearing navy Polo shirts emblazoned with the letters USA and a heart-shaped American flag over the chest, paired with white trousers and navy hats featuring the flag. The outfit leaned toward a sporty, unified appearance rather than the more formal European styling. The contrasts extended beyond the course, as anecdotal chatter about dress choices circulated on social media, underscoring the day’s broader media fascination with Ryder Cup fashion alongside golf results.

Mid-morning, a scene-setting image captured the mood as the two teams prepared for the day’s action.

On the course, the morning foursomes kept Europe’s momentum from the recent biennial event in Rome alive. Only Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay managed to deliver a win for the United States, beating Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland 2-up. The other American pairings faced tougher results: Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley fell 5&3 to Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick; Collin Morikawa and Harris English dropped 5&4 to Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood; and Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas went down 4&3 to Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. The European squad, by contrast, sustained the form that helped them secure earlier wins in the competition’s recent cycles, signaling continued strength in match play and in pairing dynamics.

As teams cleared the course and prepared for the afternoon slate, attention also turned to the gala backdrop at Sands Point on Long Island’s north shore. There, the European and American teams arrived in markedly different styles: the Europeans in tailored suits with striped shirts and polished dress shoes, while the Americans mirrored a complementary but slightly more relaxed format, wearing suits with white dress shirts, no ties, top buttons open, and white leather sneakers. The visual contrast drew social media commentary and occasional criticism, with observers noting the clash between the club-like elegance of Europe’s approach and the more modern, casual-outdoor vibe favored by some in the United States. The debate added an additional layer to a weekend that was already heavy with golf and national pride.

The opening day results laid a foundation that both teams will seek to build on in the rest of the weekend. Europe’s three wins in the morning set an early tone, while the American side looked to regroup and reassert itself in the afternoon sessions. For the European players, the early momentum comes with the added confidence from a familiar regional pattern of success in the event’s opening matches, while the Americans aim to leverage their depth and the home-course atmosphere at Bethpage Black to swing the momentum in their favor.

Across eight scheduled sessions over the first two days, both sides will be chasing crucial points to shape the trajectory of the Ryder Cup. The fashion chatter, too, is likely to linger in the memory as fans reflect on day one—the outfits, the atmosphere, and the on-course drama all contributing to what organizers hope will be a compelling, televised showcase of international golf and camaraderie. As the afternoon and evening matches proceed, teams will aim to convert early-round confidence into a durable run of points, with the crowd on Long Island prepared for another round of close, competitive golf.