Ryder Cup: Europe strikes first under the gaze of Donald Trump
It is enough for the European team to score 14 of the 28 points at stake. On Friday, it advanced towards the finish line with a 5.5-2.5 score.
Jon Rahm on the first day of the Ryder Cup.
Europe took the first day of the Ryder Cup. The European team took command of the tournament on Friday with a 5.5-2.5 score in New York, in the presence of Donald Trump.
Result reflected by the performance of the two stars of each team: while world number one Scottie Scheffler fell in his two games, Spain's Jon Rahm, a European star, came out on top in his two matches.
Partnering with England’s Tyrrell Hatton, Rahm defeated DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4&3 in the morning session, AFP reported. The Europeans dominated the foursomes format (alternate-shot rounds), winning 3-1.
In the evening event, played in a four-ball (better ball), Rahm teamed up with Austria's Sepp Straka to beat Scheffler and J.J. Spaun, the champions of three of this year's four Grand Slams, 3&2.
In other afternoon matches, Americans Justin Thomas and Cam Young defeated Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard by 6&5 while Englishmen Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood beat DeChambeau and Ben Griffin by 1 up.
Locals Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay tied with Europeans Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy at the close of the program.
Europe looks to close historic gap
The host's side leads the all-time rivalry with 27 wins, 15 losses and two ties, but Europe holds a 12-9 edge, with one tie, since the team expanded beyond the United Kingdom and Ireland in 1979.
Trump and the upset that never arrived
"So when I heard that, I said, let's get on the plane... We have to fly and help them," Trump maintained before boarding the flight that took him to Bethpage Black's field in Farmingdale. Team USA was down 3-1.
He made his appearance amid chants of "USA" from the more than 5,000 fans in the stands. The president greeted the spectators, who chanted his name, during the playing of the national anthem and the flyover of a military plane.
Keegan Bradley, the U.S. captain, also toyed with the idea that a visit from the president could help reverse the outcome. In addition to talking with Bradley, the president walked with star Bryson DeChambeau on the first tee and sat with Kai Trump, his granddaughter, in an area protected by bulletproof glass.
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