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 leaderboardKeegan 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
Burns/Cantlay vs McIlroy/Lowry A/S
The European team look surprisingly worried as the players come up the fairway. That goes some way to suggesting just how vital a 6-2 first-day lead could be.
This one point is crucial, even this early on, especially when you consider that the US are unlikely to be as bad in parts as they were today (e.g. Scheffler, notably).
Chris Wilson26 September 2025 23:06
Burns/Cantlay vs McIlroy/Lowry A/S
Off the tee in the final hole of the day.
Burns lands just off the fairway with a solid effort, before Cantlay falls on the left side of the fairway.
What can the Europeans reply with?
Lowry’s drive lands to the left, narrow avoiding the bunkers, and McIlroy fires straight down the fairway.
Chris Wilson26 September 2025 23:04
Burns/Cantlay vs McIlroy/Lowry A/S
We stay all square! Cantlay sinks it and we move to the final hole of the day level in the final match.
Chris Wilson26 September 2025 23:00