Europe Surprises U.S. in Ryder Cup Foursomes at Bethpage Black

Bethpage Black, Farmingdale, N.Y., September 26, 2025

News Summary

In a thrilling start to the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, Europe stunned fans by taking a 3-1 lead over the United States after the morning foursomes session. This marks a historic achievement for Europe, as their top three pairings won on U.S. soil for the first time. The U.S. team, featuring four rookies, must now regroup and adjust their strategy for the upcoming four-ball matches to regain momentum in the tournament.

Farmingdale, N.Y.

Shock at Bethpage Black

The Ryder Cup sprung to life Friday at Bethpage Black with a morning session that left the home fans stunned. Europe walked off the course with a 3-1 lead over the United States after the morning foursomes session, and the tone for the weekend suddenly feels very different than many expected.

Why this mattered

The European side did something no visiting team had done before at a U.S. Ryder Cup: this marks the first time Europe’s top three pairings won in foursomes on U.S. soil in Ryder Cup history. That’s the kind of stat that gets replayed all weekend and keeps captains up at night.

The morning’s storylines

The opening match had a Hollywood moment when the home pairing of Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas won the opening hole, thrilling the crowd. But that spark didn’t last — they won the opening hole, which thrilled the home crowd but did not win another hole, losing their match by the 15th green. Brutal turn of events for American hopes in that pairing.

Across the three matches that Europe won, the scoreboard was one-sided. The Europeans dominated, winning 18 holes compared to just four for the U.S. That kind of dominance in foursomes — where alternate-shot pressure is severe — is a real momentum sucker for the side on the ropes.

What the captains face

With the scoreboard tilted, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley is forced to make significant changes to his strategy for the ensuing four-ball session. Expect fresh pairings, tactical swaps, and a shake-up designed to get the Americans back into the match quickly.

Player pecking order

The world rankings stacked against the U.S. in raw numbers this morning. On the American side World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is leading the U.S. effort, while the European side is heavy up top with Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Tommy Fleetwood ranked 2-4 in the field, all from Europe. That trio being clustered at the top gives Europe confidence in singles and paired formats.

Experience gap

Team composition is another story. The U.S. team consists of four rookies, while Europe has only one rookie in its lineup. Fresh faces can bring energy but also nerves under Ryder Cup pressure — a real factor when matches tighten.

Afternoon drama: four-ball

The afternoon shifts into four-ball matches (best ball format), and both captains unveiled various new pairings chosen by both captains, creating anticipation for the second session. With the alternate format, the Americans will look to use individual strengths and birdie potential to claw back momentum.

Television coverage is set up to keep viewers glued to every shot: TV coverage includes a viewer’s guide and full scoring updates throughout the event, helping fans follow momentum swings as matches flip back and forth.

Key moments and personalities

Europe’s Rory McIlroy adapted to the greens in the afternoon, making back-to-back birdies to establish leads for his team, a classic Ryder Cup response when under pressure. In tight matches, the Europeans aimed to maintain their lead against the U.S. team as the afternoon progressed, refusing to give easy holes away.

Off the course, the event drew attention. Trump was seen at the Ryder Cup, arriving via Air Force One at a nearby airport, and his presence added a partisan buzz around the grounds. An avid golfer, he engaged with the crowd and players, showing support for the U.S. team. The sidelines also had their own fashion headlines as the WAGs (wives and girlfriends) of the players gained attention for their coordinated outfits.

What the U.S. must do

As the morning transitioned into the afternoon, the Americans sought to regain momentum in the matches, especially in the crucial four-ball format. The Americans aimed to avoid being swept in the opening session, needing key wins to improve their standing and keep the trophy fight alive.

Bottom line

Europe’s early 3-1 lead at Bethpage Black after the morning foursomes is a headline-grabbing start. There’s plenty of golf left, and the four-ball session will tell us whether this was a temporary shock or the start of a full-on European charge on U.S. soil. Expect theatrics, tweaks from captains, and high drama — this Ryder Cup weekend just hit maximum suspense.

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Additional Resources

• CBS Sports: Ryder Cup 2025 Live Updates
• BBC Sport: Ryder Cup Overview
• Golf.com: Ryder Cup Friday Pairings
• Fox News: Trump at Ryder Cup
• Golfweek: Ryder Cup Friday Four-Ball Pairings
• Wikipedia: Ryder Cup
• Google Search: Ryder Cup 2025
• Google Scholar: Ryder Cup
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Ryder Cup
• Google News: Ryder Cup

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