Europe holds 3-point lead after Day 1 at Ryder Cup

Europe grabbed a 5.5-2.5 lead over Team USA to open the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black on Friday, marking its first lead after Day 1 on American soil since 2004.

The Europeans built a 3-1 advantage in the morning foursomes session before winning the afternoon session 2.5-1.5 to capture all the early momentum at the highly anticipated international showdown.

– #OurTimeOurPlace https://t.co/RYx6YBxJss pic.twitter.com/hQI5Tej457— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 26, 2025
Match 3: Young/Thomas 🇺🇸 6&5 over Aberg/Hojgaard🇪🇺 Maddie Meyer/PGA of America / PGA of America / GettyCameron Young’s Ryder Cup debut couldn’t have gone any better. The New York native, who previously held the course record at Bethpage Black, provided the Americans an instant spark and took control in this match with a birdie on the second hole. Young carried the load early, and Thomas avenged a poor showing in the morning session with some strong play of his own. Young’s brilliant round will certainly raise questions about captain Keegan Bradley’s decision to bench him in the morning.Match 4: McIlroy/Lowry 🇪🇺 tie Burns/Cantlay 🇺🇸The anchor match went down to the wire, with Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns both narrowly missing birdie putts on 18 that could’ve secured a point. The American duo grabbed the lead on the opening hole, but it didn’t last long. Europe tied it on No. 2 and were 2-up by No. 11. Burns and Patrick Cantlay then turned the tides as Europe’s putters became inconsistent. The two sides went toe to toe until the end, but the match’s most memorable moment came as McIlroy ignited the crowd on No. 7 with his second consecutive birdie.
Rory’s at it again!! 🗣️#TeamEurope reports »