The United States played inspired golf in the afternoon session at Bethpage State Park's Black Course Friday afternoon, but they still trail the Europeans 5 1/2 to 2 1/2 after the first full day of Ryder Cup action.
After a rather lackluster performance in the morning session, where the Americans got blown out of the three matches they lost, the United States kept it close in the afternoon matches. Still, the Europeans hold a three-point lead after the first day.
The United States was trying to rally at the onset of the afternoon session and get the crowd back into gear. President Donald Trump appeared at the first tee before the session started, and the fans were treated to a wonderful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
Not even President Trump could turn around the four-ball session for the United States.
The pomp and circumstance did not last very long as the first match of the afternoon was the worst for the United States. Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka defeated Scottie Scheffler and J.J. Spaun 3&2.
Spaun birdied the first hole to give him and Scheffler an early lead, but Straka chipped in from the fringe, and the Europeans never looked back. Straka and Jon Rahm won the match 3 & 2.
“It was a lot of fun, a lot of fun,” Straka told reporters after the match. “To have Jon today was great because I did not have my game and especially for the first little bit. But he kept reminding me that it's there. Just keep pushing and he told me to just put a confident swing on the last hole and I did."
"The morning, although it was great, it was just one part of a long race. We started great and we have to keep it going. That's what we did," Rahm said.
Rahm was very impressed with the play of his partner. He does not want Straka to downplay what he brought to the team Friday afternoon.
“I think he's selling himself short. He played good but maybe not as good as he would have liked but he did what he needed to do. That chip-in on two was key," Rahm said. "There were certain moments out there that were key and he came up big when we needed him to. That putt on 14 was unbelievably huge. He can't sell himself short because he did the important stuff."
The United States' best match of the day was the third match where Cameron Young, a native of New York, paired with Justin Thomas to defeat Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard 6&5.
The margin of victory, it matched the second longest four-ball victory by an American team in a full-round match. The Americans closed out the match after the 13th hole.
“It's pretty special,” said Young. “I love this place and this is a team we worked really hard to make. We're just super grateful. To have the opportunity to play today alongside him in front of these fans is pretty special.”
Thomas added, “I really just kind of sat back and watched the show. I tried to help when I could, but I'm just so happy for Cam but I'm proud of him. Playing in your first Ryder Cup is really hard, but playing in front of your home fans I would imagine is even harder, but he definitely played like the veteran today. It's been fun watching his game progress and I'm glad I got to sit alongside the show today.”
Perhaps the most exciting match of the afternoon went right down to the 18th hole and ended up being halved. Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay tied Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry to halve the point. McIlroy and Burns both missed birdie putts on 18 which would have given their teams the outright win in the match.
“It's a great day for Europe,” said McIlroy. “We would have absolutely taken this last night if you had told us we would be 5½- ½ up.
“Obviously in the moment right now, I'm disappointed I didn't hole that for a full point but the guys have done so well today, and right now, it's just about recovering and resting up and getting ready for tomorrow.”