Europeans take the early advantage in Ryder Cup

The chants started before dawn. A sea of red, white, and blue flooded the paths of Bethpage Black. This was American turf. Loud. Proud. Daunting.

But by Friday afternoon, a different sound took hold. The quiet hum of European efficiency. Luke Donald's squad, facing a hostile New York crowd, delivered a stunning performance in the morning foursomes, seizing a commanding 3-1 lead. It was a clinical dissection, a statement of intent that silenced the grandstands and marked the best start for a European team on American soil since 2004.

The session began with a burst of American bravado. Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas strode onto the first tee draped in an American flag, driving the green on the short par-4 and winning the hole with a birdie that sent a jolt through the crowd. The fireworks, however, were short-lived.

But the European duo of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, weathered the early storm. At the sixth, with the ball barely visible under the thick grass to the left of the sixth fairway, Rahm produced the shot of the morning to reach the green from an impossible place. After a wayward drive by Rahm on the seventh, Hatton played a spectacular recovery shot from the trees to save par and level the match. From there, they seized control, with Hatton's putter catching fire on the back nine to secure a decisive 4&3 victory.

The new pairing of Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick proved relentless against world number one Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley. They won three consecutive holes starting at the fourth and never looked back, with Fitzpatrick holing a 12-foot putt on the 15th to seal a comprehensive 5&3 win.

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood were in devastating form. They birdied the first hole and raced to a 5-up lead through eight, displaying a level of synergy that their opponents, Collin Morikawa and Harris English, could not answer. Their 5&4 victory was the largest away foursomes win by either side since 2004.

The United States avoided a session sweep thanks to the steadying presence of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. After seeing a 3-up lead evaporate and the match drawn level with three holes to play, the American duo won the 17th and 18th to claw back a crucial point.

This strong start is a crucial step for Europe, as no visiting team has won the Ryder Cup since the European side's famous "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012. The 3-1 lead after the first session echoes their successful start in the 2004 contest, which also took place on American soil.

U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley acknowledged the setback but remained hopeful, stating, "It's not exactly what we wanted... but I've got a lot of faith in our boys". In contrast, a proud European Captain, Luke Donald, praised his team for thriving in a "tough environment," noting, "They know the plan and it is good to see them sticking to it."

The afternoon four-ball matches now present a critical test for Team USA to mount a response, while Europe will look to build on its momentum in the quest to retain the cup.

Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images