McIlroy's guttural yell fuels Europe as Ryder Cup takes early shape at Bethpage Black

Rory McIlroy unleashed a guttural yell after sinking a clutch birdie on the sixth hole in his four-ball match with Shane Lowry, signaling a surge for Team Europe against the United States at Bethpage Black. The moment was emblematic of a day that increasingly favored the European side, as the duo would press their advantage with a birdie at the following hole to move the score to 3-1 in their favor after seven holes.

Earlier in the session, Europe set the tone with a pair of decisive results. McIlroy and Lowry opened the day with a win in the format, while MacIntyre? No, the record shows McIlroy partnered with Tommy Fleetwood to beat Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5&3, pushing Europe to a 2-0 lead in the opening four-ball. Minutes earlier, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton closed out Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas to deliver Europe its first victory of the day. Later, Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick defeated world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 4&3, extending the European edge to 3-0 as the morning session progressed. The United States, however, avoided a shutout in the foursomes, with Cantlay and Xander Schauffele winning the final match of that session. By midday, Europe held a sizeable lead entering the afternoon groupings, with the U.S. needing a strong push to reverse the momentum.

As the afternoon groupings unfolded, Team USA showed glimmers of life, but Team Europe remained in control. Through the early stages of the afternoon slate, Europe led two matches to one, and the narrative of the day continued to tilt toward the European side. The Ryder Cup schedule moves into a rhythm of alternating four-ball and foursomes across the weekend, with the periphery of the competition shaping up as a test of depth and stamina for both teams. The European run in the opening session underscored how quickly momentum can shift in Ryder Cup play, especially at a storied course like Bethpage Black.

For Rory McIlroy, the Ryder Cup this year would cap an extraordinary stretch. The Northern Irish star, who has long been a centerpiece of Team Europe, finished inside the top 10 in eight events this year and captured three titles, including his first Green Jacket at The Masters in April 2025, a milestone that adds historical weight to his performance for the European contingent this week. McIlroy’s leadership and emotional energy on the course have been evident through the year, and his Ryder Cup form this week is being watched as a barometer for Europe’s chances in a demanding test on American soil.

Looking ahead, the teams will continue to rotate formats through the weekend, with Saturday and Sunday offering a mix of four-ball and alternate shots as players seek to balance form, course conditions, and the pressure of Ryder Cup points. While the U.S. will need to rally across multiple sessions to overturn the early deficit, the opening signs from Europe, led by McIlroy and supported by a deep roster, suggest a compelling and competitive weekend at Bethpage Black.

As the day wrapped and words cooled from the emotional moment, analysts and fans watched the scoreboard for signs of a turning point for the U.S. team. If the momentum holds, Europe could carry a robust cushion into the weekend, inviting a dramatic rally from the locals and a test of resilience for the visiting squad. The next rounds will determine whether the early lead translates into an overall victory, but for now, McIlroy’s scream stands as a vivid moment in a Ryder Cup that continues to unfold with high stakes and heightened emotion.