Americans Struggle in Ryder Cup Foursomes, Salvage One Point

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The U.S. Ryder Cup team faced an uphill battle at the 45th Ryder Cup on Friday morning, almost falling behind 4-0 against Europe at Bethpage Black. After losing the first three matches in the foursomes session, the Americans managed to secure a single point in the final match, ultimately winning 2-up.

Xander Schauffele expressed relief, saying, “If we’re only going to win one point, it might as well be the anchor match to get some momentum going.” The Americans fell behind 3-1 after the opening session, a disheartening repeat of their experience at the last Ryder Cup.

Despite having a three-hole lead in the last match, the U.S. team saw the Europeans mount a comeback in the closing holes. This performance marked the first time Europe won three foursomes matches with three or more holes remaining in a single session, a record-setting achievement.

The Americans, coming off a disappointing performance in Italy in 2023, were expected to bounce back on home soil. However, the loss of the first three matches created a grim outlook as only the top pairs in golf filled the European roster.

Critics pointed to the recent performances of Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, who saw little success, remarking, “We just didn’t hole enough putts early.” He and his partner experience continued struggles as they faced another defeat.

With only one point on the board, the Americans aim for improvement in the four-ball matches scheduled for the afternoon. Historically, teams that secure at least three points in the first session hold a 7-1 record in the Ryder Cup since 1991, putting the U.S. in a precarious position.

As the teams prepare for the upcoming matches, the stakes remain high. Ultimately, the atmosphere offers a glimpse into the U.S. team’s hope for redemption against a strong European squad.