Rahm's spectacular chip powers Europe in Ryder Cup Saturday at Bethpage Black
Rahm's bunker-shot birdie on the eighth hole sparks Europe's momentum as the U.S. fights to turn the tide.
Jon Rahm's extraordinary bunker-to-birdie on the eighth hole provided a turning moment for Team Europe on Saturday at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton had opened the day with a 2-up lead after winning the first two holes of the morning session.
Rahm's ball lay embedded near the edge of the bunker as Hatton's tee shot drifted right of the green. Rahm stood low to lift the ball from the sand; he dug the ball out beautifully as it landed just as the green began and rolled straight into the hole for a birdie. Rahm knew it was good right away as he walked out of the bunker and pointed toward the hole. Xander Schauffele responded with a potential chip-in to answer, but he narrowly missed; Patrick Cantlay also hit a wayward tee shot that left Schauffele in the rough. Europe took the hole, leaving the match at 1-up.
Rahm and Hatton had won the first two holes and built a 2-up lead to begin the second day. The eighth-hole sequence altered momentum for the United States, as Schauffele just missed chipping in for birdie and Cantlay's earlier gains were erased when Rahm's miraculous putt rolled in. By the time 11 holes had been played, Rahm and Hatton remained one up in the match.
Over on Friday, Rahm had won both of his matches, helping Europe land two of the 5 1/2 points the Europeans accumulated on the opening day. Cantlay and Schauffele had tied the match after winning holes five and seven, and Rahm’s burst of momentum on the eighth helped blunt that momentum.
As play continued into the afternoon, Rahm and Hatton remained one up through 11 holes, keeping the pressure on the U.S. squad. The Ryder Cup showcase at Bethpage Black remains tight, with Europe aiming to hold its early advantage as the day progresses.
