Europe takes early Ryder Cup lead as Bethpage hosts security focus and controversy

Team Europe jumped out to a 3-1 lead after Friday morning’s opening matches at Bethpage Black, delivering a commanding start to the Ryder Cup as Team USA faced a combination of on-course challenges and off-course distractions. The result marked the first time Europe clinched the first three matches on the road in Ryder Cup history, and only the third time since 1973 that a visiting side reached at least three points in the opening session.

In the morning fourball, Europe stabilized its lead with key performances. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton defeated Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4&3, while Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Åberg rolled to a 5&3 win over Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood followed with a 5&4 triumph over Collin Morikawa and Harris English. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay managed to salvage a point for the United States by defeating Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland 2-up, but it was the Europeans who collected the majority of the morning’s momentum. Schauffele and Cantlay were the Americans’ only bright spot in the session, with other American pairs faltering as Europe cemented the favorable start. The opening session also saw Scheffler and Henley fall 5&3, and DeChambeau and Thomas drop to Rahm and Hatton as part of European dominance on the day.

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Xander Schauffele’s family controversy added another layer to the week. Stefan Schaufele, the father of the U.S. star, told The Times of London in July that he would not attend the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage because of concerns about fan behavior. He recalled a 2021 incident at Whistling Straits when he heard fans direct abuse at Shane Lowry’s wife and later criticized Rory McIlroy’s conduct following the Rome incident with Joe LaCava, describing it as disgusting and saying the atmosphere had “ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup.” The boycott underscores how the crowd’s reputation for intensity can influence even the most veteran players’ families.

On the European side, Luke Donald’s squad entered Bethpage with 11 holdovers from the 2023 victorious team and only one newcomer in Rasmus Højgaard, who replaced Nicolai. Europe also conducted an away practice trip to Bethpage as a bonding and scouting exercise, a tactic praised by Paul McGinley as an innovative approach for away matches. The preparation appeared to pay dividends as Europe forged ahead on Friday, with McIlroy and Fleetwood’s pairing delivering a dominant start and Rahm and Hatton’s synergy proving difficult for the U.S. to counter.

As the event unfolded, security measures around Bethpage were heightened due to the appearance of President Donald Trump, who traveled with his granddaughter Kai and was seated in a glass-encased viewing box near the first tee. The setup included TSA-style checkpoints, bomb-sniffing dogs, and a broader security presence designed to manage the heightened attention around the rally of supporters that accompanied the Commander-in-Chief. Trump’s arrival and the surrounding security footprint drew attention away from the golf for observers and added an extra layer of complexity to an already electric environment. The president’s presence followed a week in which security concerns had already been central to major events across the sports landscape, and Ryder Cup officials moved to ensure a controlled but accessible atmosphere for fans and players alike.

The opening-day performance also highlighted how Europe’s roster remains tightly aligned with the 2023 championship squad. Eleven of the 12 players and captain Luke Donald are holdovers, underscoring continuity that contrasts with the United States’ rotating lineup. The Europeans arrived on U.S. soil early for team-bonding and reconnaissance, a move that McGinley described as unprecedented and part of a broader strategic approach for away matches. The momentum from the morning session suggested Europe’s plan could yield a fast start that would complicate the Americans’ bid to salvage the day.

Analysts note that Europe’s strong start is historically significant. It marked the first time in Ryder Cup history that Europe clinched the first three matches on the road, and it represented only the third occasion since 1973 that a European side scored at least three points in the opening session. Since 1991, teams that began Friday morning with at least three points have gone 7-1 in Ryder Cups, a trend that could shape the competition’s early narrative as the day progresses.

Meanwhile, Team USA captain Keegan Bradley faced an immediate tactical decision. With Schauffele on the roster but struggling for impact in the morning, Bradley relegated him to the bench for the afternoon session, keeping Cantlay alongside Schauffele in limited action while other pairs carried the load. The move reflects the ongoing effort to optimize a roster with several high-caliber performers who have faced recent Ryder Cup up-and-downs.

The Ryder Cup resumes Friday with the afternoon foursomes and fourball matches, as Europe seeks to extend its early advantage and the United States looks to recalibrate under the pressure of a fast-starting opponent. In the shadow of the security perimeter and the electric partisan atmosphere, the competition remains the central focus for players, captains, and fans alike, with the week’s political and social dynamics adding an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament’s longer historical arc.

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