Hazeltine National Golf Club felt more like being inside Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday, with rowdy American fans giving Team USA a massive home-course advantage during the Ryder Cup’s morning session.
But nobody should be surprised by how Europe responded in the afternoon.
Team USA has a 5 to 3 advantage after Day 1 at the Ryder Cup in Chaska, Minn., thanks to its 4-0 sweep of the morning foursomes. However, Europe’s experienced Ryder Cup stars and a few newcomers helped it climb back into contention with a 3-1 advantage in the afternoon four-ball matches.
While the Americans have the lead, the moment most people are talking about came when Europe’s Rory McIlroy bowed to the fans and Team USA after making an eagle on the 16th to close out his four-ball match with Thomas Pieters at 3&2.
There’s nothing better than Ryder Cup trash-talking.
Sergio Garcia/Rafa Cabrera Bello and Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson both earned four-ball victories, while the American duo of Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker won the only afternoon point for the U.S.
Luckily for the Americans, though, they dominated the morning sessions, with wins from Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar, Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson, and Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.
The Americans’ quest for their first Ryder Cup title since 2008 will continue Saturday with foursomes in the morning.
Thumbnail photo via John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports Images
