Jordan’s ‘We got problems’ moment highlights European Ryder Cup surge on Day 1

On Long Island's Bethpage Black, Europe opened the Ryder Cup with a scorching start Friday morning, taking a commanding lead in the opening foursomes. Michael Jordan, in attendance near the gallery as Tyrrell Hatton eyed a birdie in the first match, reportedly summed up the mood with the line, "We got problems," according to Golf.com’s James Colgan. The moment underscored a brisk European start while the Americans looked like they were chasing early momentum.

Europe won three of the four foursomes in the morning, leaving the United States with only one win as play shifted toward the four-ball format in the afternoon. The early results left a clear impression on the villain role the U.S. hoped to avoid, with Jordan’s remark echoing the broader sense of urgency around a team that is trying to rebound from a tough Rome loss two years ago.

Entering the afternoon, the United States looked to regain momentum in four-ball play, fielding a blend of veterans and rising stars as they attempted to chip away at the deficit. The Americans started the session trailing 3-1 overall, a margin they needed to erase to flip the dynamic of the weekend.

President Donald Trump flew up from Washington, D.C., to watch the action at Bethpage Black in the afternoon, adding another layer of star power to the crowd. The Ryder Cup Celebrity All-Star Match, staged earlier in the week, drew a who’s who of sports and entertainment, including Colin Jost, Eli Manning, Michael Strahan, Noah Kahan and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The U.S. team’ s mission remains clear: rebound from the Rome setback and seize control of momentum as the weekend unfolds.

The United States is aiming to reverse a recent trend with a roster led by veterans and driven by new faces, as players contend with Bethpage’s demanding layout and the Ryder Cup’s unique team format. Among the on-course moments highlighted by circulating images, Xander Schauffele of the United States was seen in the rough on the 15th hole during the afternoon rounds, a reminder of the grind that accompanies every match at this event.

As the afternoon gave way to more golf, the trajectory of Day 1 suggested a long weekend ahead: Europe’s early surge, a testing environment for the U.S., and a storyline that blends competitive fire with a gallery of high-profile spectators following the action. The outcome of Friday’s play would begin to set the tone for the rest of the weekend on Long Island.