43rd Ryder Cup: US golf stars clearly lead against Europe

After the first day of the 43rd Ryder Cup on the Straits Course of Whistling Straits in Haven (Wisconsin), one thing was clear: The European selection must make a huge comeback against the United States team in the greatest spectacle in golf. After the foursome, as the doubles are called in golf, on Friday the guests are 2: 6 behind. A team led eleven times in the history of this prestigious duel, which has been held since 1927, with this result on the opening day - eleven times this lead was enough to win the trophy. For the first time since 2008, Americans dominated the two "sessions" on the first of the three days in the classic foursome (both play a ball alternately) and in the four-ball (each plays his own ball, the better result on each hole is counted).The hosts showed themselves to be 3: 1 in both the classic foursome and four-ball.

The superiority of "Team USA" is easy to explain: The American captain Steve Stricker used all twelve players in the two "sessions" - and each individual contributed to the superior leadership of the home team, no one went away empty-handed. Padraig Harrington, the Irish captain of the "Euros", also sent all of his men to the spectacular square on Lake Michigan on Friday, but only world number one Jon Rahm met the high expectations. The 26-year-old Spaniard and his compatriot Sergio Garcia won the opening match in the classic foursome against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth 3 & 1 (three more holes won, one still to be played). The 41-year-old Garcia increased his profit point account to 26 ½ on his tenth bet, most of themwhich a professional ever achieved in this transatlantic duel. But this record improvement was one of the few positive findings for the "Euros" on the first day. Because this Spanish success was the only one in the classic foursome, which was held in the morning in glorious late summer weather (up to 23 degrees).

Bitter realization for the guests

In the afternoon, when the wind freshened up with gusts of up to 45 kilometers per hour and in the end even light rain made the game difficult on the 6757 meter (par 71) long course, Rahm was able to four-ball with Tyrell Hatton against the extremely strong playing Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler score another draw. Both punched important putts in the decisive moments, Hatton sank the decisive one for birdie and to win half a point on the 18th hole from two meters in the hole. The second half point for Europe went to the English-Norwegian duo Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland against Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay in the afternoon. But this draw was more of a disappointment, as the two gambled away a high lead on the second nine holes (three to after eight holes).But the bitterest realization for the guests was another: Long-time world number one Rory McIlroy lost two matches in one day for the first time in his sixth appearance - and both of them significantly. In the classic foursome, he lost together with the Englishman Ian Poulter. The Californians Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele won 5 & 3. Also in the afternoon the 32-year-old Northern Irishman and Irishman Shane Lowry had no chance against the duo Tony Finau and Harris English (4 & 3).Also in the afternoon the 32-year-old Northern Irishman and Irishman Shane Lowry had no chance against the duo Tony Finau and Harris English (4 & 3).Also in the afternoon the 32-year-old Northern Irishman and Irishman Shane Lowry had no chance against the duo Tony Finau and Harris English (4 & 3).

In contrast, the Americans showed why there are eight professionals in their team who are among the top ten in the world rankings.

Dustin Johnson, the second in this ranking, won both matches on his third appearance, a coup that was also achieved by Olympic champion Schauffele.

But DeChambeau was most enthusiastic about the 40,000 fans with his huge tee-offs, the longest on the fifth hole only rolled out after 376 meters.

Despite the high deficit, Captain Harrington is still optimistic: “My team played well.

Unfortunately, we never really got any momentum.

The Americans punched more putts.

But that can change again tomorrow. "