Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas hailed by USA fans after arrival on first tee box at Ryder Cup 2025
Team Europe took a 5.5-2.5 lead on Day 1 of the Ryder Cup to rock Team USA’s chances at Bethpage Black.
Final hole drama saw Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose down Bryson DeChambeau and Ben Griffin in fourballs, though Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were forced to settle for a half point against Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay.
Luke Donald will be delighted to have won the afternoon session after Europe dominated the opening foursomes session, quietening the home crowd to take a 3-1 lead. For the first time in Ryder Cup history, Europe scored the first three points away from home as Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton overcame a shaky start to beat USA stars DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4&3, while McIlroy and Fleetwood surged to a 5&4 win over Collin Morikawa and Harris English.
After Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg took down World No 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russel Henley 5&3, the USA’s hopes of avoiding a morning landslide fell on the final group, but Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantley finally got a point on the board, beating Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland on the final hole.
Following the arrival of US president Donald Trump to Bethpage Black at lunchtime, the home nation’s fortunes improved, with rookie Cameron Young thriving alongside Thomas to earn a comfortable 6&5 win over Aberg and rookie Rasmus Hojgaard. While Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka fought back with a superb 3&2 win over world No 1 Scheffler and US Open champion JJ Spaun.
Relive all the action from Day 1 at Bethpage Black, results from and reaction:
Ryder Cup 2025 – Latest scores and leaderboardRory McIlroy puts on a putting masterclass to ignite Team Europe’s Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy didn’t look. As Tommy Fleetwood lined up the winning putt on the 14th green, McIlroy turned his back on his playing partner and faced the blue and yellow pocket of European supporters in a stand behind the green. The ball dropped into the cup, the fans leapt to their feet and McIlroy pumped his giant forearms with delight.
Fleetwood’s putt sealed a dominant 5&4 win in the first morning’s foursomes here at Bethpage Black. Fleetwood was excellent and McIlroy was sensational, delivering a putting masterclass to race away from Harris English and Collin Morikawa, going five up through eight holes. A brief embrace between the two teams on the last green was about the closest the Americans ever got.
Jack Rathborn27 September 2025 00:30
Donald Trump gives USA unlikely Ryder Cup edge to counter Europe’s fast start
Donald Trump gripped Bryson DeChambeau’s hand firmly. The American golfer was grinning again after the misery of a 4&3 beatdown from Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in Ryder Cup foursomes an hour earlier.
The President’s demeanour then turned serious though. DeChambeau, partnering Ben Griffin in the first fourball match after a damaging and stunning 3-1 defeat in the morning session, is a good friend of Trump, and holds a government role as the chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, a role confirmed by Trump at the White House.
Jack Rathborn27 September 2025 00:15
Europe strong favourite to retain Ryder Cup after Day 1
Europe are now strong favourites to win, and retain, the Ryder Cup after a 5.5-2.5 advantage following Day 1 at Bethpage Black.
Betfair has Europe as a 8/15 favourite to win the match, while USA are 2/1 to win and a tie is 12/1.
USA is EVENS to win Day 2, Europe is 6/4.
(Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn27 September 2025 00:00
Keegan Bradley patient despite early deficit
“Hopefully it’ll turn and the putts will go for us tomorrow. We’ve only played 28 percent of the points, it’s the first quarter,” USA captain Keegan Bradley said.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in my boys.”
(Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:50
MacIntyre and Rose to reunite in Saturday morning foursomes?
“I’d be surprised if he didn’t go with the three that won, I’d switch up the other one a little bit,” Catriona Matthew tells BBC 5 Live.
“Maybe he’ll put out MacIntyre and Rose again, played well in Rome.”
Justin Rose of Team Europe poses with family near the 18th hole green (Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:40
Shane Lowry reacts to half point playing with Rory McIlroy
“Rory and I feel like we should’ve got a full point, but you have to look at the positives,” Lowry says.
“We’d have taken your hand off for this on the first tee this morning.”
(David Davies/PA Wire)
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:30
Rory McIlroy reacts to halving match with USA in fourballs
“It was great, an absolute honour to partner with this man [Lowry],” McIlroy says.
“We got half a point, I’m disappointed, but it’s been a great day for Europe. We’ve come out of the gates strong. We should be proud of ourselves.
“It was rowdy and lively, they made it difficult for us. We made some good swings and putts when we needed to.”
(AP)
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:23
McIlroy and Lowry forced to settle for a half point in gripping contest
Tension, silence, just for a second… McIlroy sends it down to the hole, but it trickles to the left and MISSES.
The putter it flipped into the air, it’ll be a half point for both teams.
Europe lead USA 5.5 to 2.5 after Day 1. What a day for captain Donald.
(Getty Images)
Europe’s Shane Lowry celebrates after a birdie by Rory McIlroy on the 17th hole (AP)
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:17
McIlroy with a putt for the win and a huge advantage for Europe
Lowry for birdie, inches, closer… closer… But it dribbles to the left. Not enough power.
A nice read for McIlroy, Lowry was on line, but lacked the same pace as his teammate will require to hole it.
Burns now, to avoid a loss… Misses to the right! Drama, it’s there for McIlroy to win it!
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:13
McIlroy inside Lowry for the perfect read on 18
Burns/Cantlay vs McIlroy/Lowry TIED
Rory McIlroy, middle of the fairway on the 18th at Bethpage Black, in the Ryder Cup. Chills.
It doesn’t get much better than that, and the Europe star sticks it a few inches inside teammate Shane Lowry’s approach. Advantage, Europe?
This match is on a knife edge.
(Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn26 September 2025 23:11