Ryder Cup: Europe overcomes a hostile environment and is on the verge of the title

Team Europe built what looks like an insurmountable 11.5–4.5 lead over the United States on Saturday in the second day of the Ryder Cup, played amid a highly hostile atmosphere in New York. The seven-point gap is the largest margin by which a team has ever entered the final day of play.

The visiting team, which started the second day of the competition with a three-point lead, needs only two wins and a tie in Sunday’s 12 singles matches to clinch the title at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale (New York state).

"I didn't expect to have such a big lead," European captain, Luke Donald admitted to AFP. "A lot of things went our way, but I'm very pleased with how strong our team is, the power they have, the intensity, that anti-fragile mentality."

Booing and hurtful comments from the crowd against the Europeans

The booing and insults from the New York crowd grew louder and louder as the European team moved closer to its second straight title, and first on U.S. soil since 2012.

The main target of the taunts was Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, who clashed several times with spectators who tried to break his concentration and ended up yelling at those shouting to be quiet. Spain’s Jon Rahm also drew jeers, with fans chanting “Where’s the Ozempic?” as he arrived.

Team USA’s collapse only fueled the passion that defines the Ryder Cup, a rarity in this tradition-bound sport. “Things got tougher out there, and that motivated them even more,” Donald said of his players.

Scheffler debacle sinks US

Immune and unfazed by attempts to rattle them, the European players steamrolled through Saturday's matches, winning 3–1 in both the morning foursomes (alternate-shot) session and the afternoon four-ball (better-ball).

Scottie Scheffler, world number one, has embodied the shipwreck of the hosts by being defeated in his four appearances. The American star is the first player with a starting record of 0-4 in a Ryder Cup since 1967.

It is a completely unexpected debacle for a golfer who in the past two years has racked up 13 titles, three of them Grand Slams, in a winning pace unseen since Tiger Woods. However, Scheffler will have one last chance to save face on Sunday against McIlroy in a showdown between the world’s top two players.

US captain apologizes to fans

On the other side, the U.S. team, which received in-person support from President Donald Trump on Friday, ended the day completely demoralized. "Part of it is our fault," U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said of the crowd's reaction. "We're not playing at the level they want to see and they're angry. And they should be."

"They are passionate fans. I wasn't in Rome, but I heard a lot of stories that it was quite violent as well," Bradley said of the 2023 edition. "You're always going to have some people cross the line."

Spectacular shot by a solid Rahm

For now, McIlroy has given four points to a European team also powered by a solid Jon Rahm. The Spaniard and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay in the morning 3&2.

Play of the day came when Rahm delivered one of the most memorable shots in memory of this biennial tournament, sinking a spectacular 15-meter chip from the rough while standing with his feet in the bunker.

The 2023 Masters champion, who had won both of his Friday matches, conceded his first loss in pairs at this tournament since 2018 in the afternoon. Rahmbo and Austrian Sepp Straka fell by one up against Xander Schauffele and J.J. Spaun, who sealed the win with birdies on the final two holes.

McIlroy, meanwhile, teamed up early with England's Tommy Fleetwood to beat Harris English and Collin Morikawa by 3&2. In the afternoon he paired with Ireland's Shane Lowry to beat Cameron Young and Justin Thomas by 2 up, who went on to plead for calm with his hands to the crowd in the face of McIlroy's harassment.

"Respect"

"I don't mind them saying things to us. That's expected, that's what a Ryder Cup away from home means. But respect us enough to let us take shots," clarified the Northern Irishman, who also warmed up the spectators with several gestures.

The growing tension spread among some players, with a heated argument between England's Justin Rose, American DeChambeau and their caddies.

As reigning champions, the European team needs only to score 14 of the 28 points at stake to retain the trophy on Sunday while the Americans have to reach 14.5.

Justin Rose and Cameron Young will open the final session (12:02 p.m. local, 4:02 p.m. GMT), with Rahm squaring off against Schauffele.