Hard-hitting fan favourite Bryson DeChambeau tried to light a spark for the home team as he teed off first for the Americans and secured a point alongside Cameron Young in the first match of the day.
But nearly everything went Europe’s way from there, as the visitors won the remainder of the morning foursomes and kept the momentum going in the afternoon.
English duo Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose opened the scoring for Europe in the afternoon fourballs as they put on a putting clinic to beat DeChambeau and top-ranked Scottie Scheffler 3&2.
The match fell into conflict briefly as the two sides got into a heated exchange after Rose directed DeChambeau’s caddie off the 15th green, as tensions between fans and players escalated across the pastoral venue.
With the defeat, Scheffler became the first American to lose a match in each of the first four sessions of a Ryder Cup, a surprise collapse after a terrific year in which he claimed six titles, including two majors.
Scottie Scheffler is not having an enjoyable Ryder Cup (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)
Flo Clifford28 September 2025 12:40
How many points do Europe need to retain Ryder Cup?
Europe took a commanding Ryder Cup lead over the USA by dropping just two points on Saturday to stand on the brink of a demolition job with a 11.5-4.5 lead.
USA captain Keegan Bradley will analyse the damage from a brutal beatdown over two days at Bethpage Black.
The visitors are now 2.5 points away from retaining their title, with only 28 points available over the duration of three days.
Europe can win the match by claiming three more points, while the USA need 10 points from Sunday’s 12 singles matches to win. That means Keegan Bradley’s team can only lose two matches on Sunday.
Keegan Bradley has his work cut out on Sunday (PA Wire)
Flo Clifford28 September 2025 12:25
Europe rise above vile American abuse to win the battle of sporting cultures at Ryder Cup
In the end, it was probably the only thing the European fans got wrong all day.
“We can see you sneaking out” they sang gleefully at the few remaining American supporters rapidly exiting the golf course, but the reality was that most of them were already long gone, crammed in on the Long Island Railroad or inching incredibly slowly away from Bethpage Black along Long Island’s snarled and gridlocked streets.
As things go, it was a tiny factual blemish on a gargantuan, joyous day for those who had made the trip to New York to take in golf’s finest biennial jamboree.
Read more from Ed Malyon in New York:
Ed Malyon in New York28 September 2025 12:11
How can I watch the final day of the Ryder Cup?
In the UK, you can also watch the action unfold live on Sky Sports Main Event and with rolling 24-hour coverage on Sky Sports Golf. A live stream is available on NOW TV.
In the US, fans can watch the action on USA Network and NBC. USA Network will have exclusive coverage of Friday’s action before it switches to NBC for the weekend. A live stream will be available via the NBC Sports app or Peacock.
You can also stay right here, where The Independent will also bring you full coverage from Bethpage Black, with hole-by-hole updates, scores and results.
Will Castle28 September 2025 11:58
Day 1: Friday 26 September
Four foursomes (alternate shot) matches
Four fourballs (alternate shot) matches
Jon Rahm (8-3-3)/Sepp Straka (2-2-0) won 3&2 vs Scottie Scheffler(2-4-3)/JJ Spaun (0-1-0)
Tommy Fleetwood (9-3-2)/Justin Rose (15-9-3) won 1up vs Ben Griffin (0-1-0)/Bryson DeChambeau (2-5-1)
Cameron Young (1-0-0)/Justin Thomas (8-5-2) won 6&5 vs Ludvig Aberg (3-3-0)/Rasmus Hojgaard (0-1-0)
Sam Burns (1-2-1)/Patrick Cantlay (6-2-2) TIED vs Rory McIlroy (17-13-5)/Shane Lowry (2-3-2)
Day 2: Saturday 27 September
Four foursomes (alternate shot) matches
7:10am ET (12:10pm BST): Bryson DeChambeau (3-5-1)/Cameron Young (2-0-0) won 4&2 vs Matt Fitzpatrick (2-8-0)/Ludvig Aberg (3-4-0)
7:26am ET (12:26pm BST): Rory McIlroy (18-13-5)/Tommy Fleetwood (10-3-2) won 3&2 vs Collin Morikawa (4-5-1)/Harris English (1-4-0)
7:42am ET (12:42pm BST): Jon Rahm (9-3-3)/Tyrrell Hatton (7-4-2) won 3&2 vs Xander Schauffele (5-5-0)/Patrick Cantlay (6-3-2)
7:58am ET (12:58pm BST): Bob MacIntyre (3-1-1)/Viktor Hovland (4-5-3) won 1UP vs Scottie Scheffler (2-5-3)/Russell Henley (0-2-0)
Four fourballs (alternate shot) matches
12:25pm ET (5:25pm BST): Rory McIlroy (19-13-5)/Shane Lowry (3-3-2) won 2UP vs Justin Thomas (8-6-2)/Cameron Young (2-1-0)
12:41pm ET (5:41pm BST): Tommy Fleetwood (11-3-2)/Justin Rose (16-9-3) won 3&2 vs Scottie Scheffler (2-6-3)/Bryson DeChambeau (3-6-1)
12:57pm ET (5:57pm BST): JJ Spaun (1-1-0)/Xander Schauffele (6-4-0) won 1UP vs Jon Rahm (9-4-3)/Sepp Straka (2-3-0)
1:13pm ET (6:13pm BST): Tyrrell Hatton (8-4-2)/Matt Fitzpatrick (3-8-0) won 1UP vs Sam Burns (1-3-1)/Patrick Cantlay (6-4-2)
Will Castle28 September 2025 11:41
The Independent’s rundown of Bethpage Black
Bethpage Black is known as one of the most difficult golf courses in the world. It is a par 71 and stretches to a daunting 7,426 yards, favouring the long hitters on tour.
Players will be greeted by a sign on the first tee: “The Black Course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers”.
There have been three major championships held at the course, including most recently the 2019 PGA Championship, won by Brooks Koepka, who is competing to be on Team USA this time around.
The course set-up is in the hands of the hosts, meaning USA can adjust conditions to suit their players. That said, Team Europe’s talent and characteristics are largely similar to Team USA, meaning less advantage this time around.
Players can expect narrower fairways and deep rough though, favouring players who can carry the ball a long way. The 15th hole is notoriously difficult and known as ‘The Beast’.
Amateur golfers are warned to stay clear of Bethpage Black (Mike Egerton/PA) (PA Wire)
Will Castle28 September 2025 11:29
Shane Lowry’s valid reaction to obnoxious American abuse
Will Castle28 September 2025 11:17
Rory McIlroy reacts to abusive American crowd
Rory McIlroy admits he endured a “really challenging day” after American golf fans directed abuse to spark ugly scenes at the Ryder Cup.
“I don’t mind them having a go at us, that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” said the Irishman.
“When they’re still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.
“In between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine.
“But just give us the respect, let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have.”
Jack Rathborn in New York28 September 2025 11:05
Should Viktor Hovland be ruled out with injury, it will trigger the rare “envelope rule” that has only been used two times in the Ryder Cup since its introduction in 1979, and one that will give the captains a tricky, awkward choice.
When the captains lodge their team selection for singles play, they must also provide a sealed envelope containing the name of one player they would bench, should a player from the other team pull out with illness or injury. Such a pairing is regarded as a tied match.
(Getty Images)
Will Castle28 September 2025 10:52
Luke Donald provides injury update on Viktor Hovland
“He was feeling quite uncomfortable in the middle of the round this morning,” Donald said. “He got some physio. He was given a lot of anti-inflammatories during the round.
“He finished. He was feeling okay. He went in to rest, and then he went back out to the range to try and hit some balls. And when he got to the driver, he hit one, and it was very painful.
“He hit another one, and it got even more painful. It was at that point that he thought, you know, I’m not going to be able to play to the level that I think I can.
“So it was a last-minute decision to switch him out. Tyrrell literally warmed up for about ten minutes. We knew it was a possibility, but we were hoping that he would play.
“He is on his way now to go get an MRI, another 20, 30 minutes away, and we’ll see in the morning what he’s like. It’s definitely stiffened up a little bit. He would love to play, and he’ll do everything he can to play.”
Will Castle28 September 2025 10:36