FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Team Europe is on the verge of a dominant victory, having established a record-breaking lead in the modern Ryder Cup format after a challenging but exhilarating day of team play at Bethpage Black. Following Saturday’s matches, Europe holds a commanding 11 1/2 to 4 1/2 advantage over a disheartened American team, surpassing the previous record lead of 11-5 entering the final day of singles competition.
European captain Luke Donald confessed he “didn’t really imagine this” after his team swept all four team sessions for the first time since their 2006 win, defying a hostile New York gallery that was so vulgar it required extra security and a public message on “Spectator Etiquette.” The exquisite golf of the Europeans thrived on the adversity.
Record Lead and American Despair
The crushing score of 11 1/2 to 4 1/2 is the largest lead ever taken into Sunday singles under the modern Ryder Cup format. The Americans now face an unprecedented challenge, as no team has ever rallied from more than a four-point deficit on the final day.
Nothing summed up the American misery like the performance of World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who entered the Ryder Cup record book as the first player in the current format to go 0-4 in the team sessions. The U.S. team had a lead in only three of the 70 holes played in Saturday’s fourballs, with their only two points coming from a narrow J.J. Spaun/Xander Schauffele win and a point in the opening foursomes.
European Dominance Amidst Hostility
The European team, which swept all four team sessions for the first time since 2006, excelled in the highly charged atmosphere. The loud and vulgar crowd spurred them on, as witnessed when Rory McIlroy, unbeaten in his four matches, caught the brunt of verbal abuse. At one point, McIlroy aggressively responded to the spectators before stuffing his approach to 5 feet for a crucial birdie that closed out his foursomes match. The performance has prompted U.S. Captain Keegan Bradley to “tip his cap” to Europe’s “incredible” and historically great play.
Sunday Singles Showdown
The massive seven-point margin means Europe requires only three wins from the 12 Sunday singles matches to reclaim the coveted trophy, putting the 2021 American record of a 19-9 rout within striking distance. European captain Luke Donald has tasked 45-year-old Justin Rose to lead off the singles matches against Cameron Young. Following him is Tommy Fleetwood, who, at 4-0, can become the first European to go 5-0 on the road with a singles win. The main attraction is the final match-up between the game’s top two players, Rory McIlroy against Scottie Scheffler.
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