When Europe last won the Ryder Cup on American soil, in 2012, it was thanks to the "miracle of Medinah" when a four-point deficit was reversed on the last day.

Now the USA has again connected a four-point grip, this time already after a day of play at Whistling Straits.

The short and somewhat simplified explanation for the jerk: The American players lowered many (and long) putts.

Europe did not do that.


Europe is the reigning champion after the victory in Paris 2018, but still came to this year's Ryder Cup as a clear underdog, as the USA is up with its sharpest team ever if you look at the world rankings.

Defending the dent requires more Europeans to play at their absolute top level - and that was not the case on Friday.

Heavy for McIlroy

Take only former world setter Rory McIlroy, who now for the first time lost two Ryder Cup matches in one day.

After, among other things, codging the first five holes (!) In this morning's foursome, in pairs with Ian Poulter against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, McIlroy got another chance in the best ball together with Shane Lowry.

But it was the opponents Harris English and - above all - Tony Finau who shone.

The jerk came when the Americans made three straight birdies on holes 8-10 and just like in the foursome, McIlroy was defeated already on the 15th hole, after another lowered putt by Finau.

- They benefit from the "momentum" from the audience, McIlroy said.

- I have not seen Tony putt so well in a long time.

They have some couples who are in shape, on a difficult golf course where it is difficult to make birdies and they get the flow started… If you yourself are not really at the 100% peak of your game, then it is tough.

A little later, Dustin Johnson and Schauffele on the 17th hole killed their best ball against Austrian debutant Bernd Wiesberger and a pale Paul Casey.

The American 3-1 lead after the foursome game had grown to 5-1 - and Europe's need for points was enormous with two games left out in the wind on the spectacular course on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Draw heavyweight fight

First was the heavyweight fight between Bryson DeChambeau (paired with Scottie Scheffler) and world setter Jon Rahm (along with Tyrrell Hatton).

DeChambeau offered the loud home crowd a crazy monster drive of about 375 meters when he found a shortcut to a simple eagle of five, but also - of course - on several important lowered putts.

The match was a thriller and the first in this year's Ryder Cup to go all the way to the 18th hole, where the USA came in the lead one up.

Then Hatton stepped forward and made a brilliant birdie after hitting the inning close and lowering the putt.

The Europeans could clench their fists and rejoice over half a point that just then felt worth gold.

- Nice to get half a point, this is something that can make things turn around, Rahm said in Viaplay's broadcast.

One last thriller remained.

Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland, the first ever Norwegian Ryder Cup players, had a long grip on Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay.

But when Thomas made the eagle on the 16th, the Americans caught up.


It was a draw in that match as well, but now with a slightly sourer aftertaste for Europe, and the USA leads 6-2 before Saturday's game.


Then Europe must rise if the disadvantage is not to become even greater.