Americans sweep Europe to start Ryder Cup

The USA completed a clean sweep in the foursomes format on Friday to open up a 4-0 lead and significantly enhance their hopes of winning the biennial event for the first time since 2008. “USA!” gave way to “Arnold Palmer!”. As it turns out, the United States won that Ryder Cup 21-11. “They were bitterly disappointed at lunchtime but the guys came out this afternoon and the golf was scintillating”. Spieth and Reed matched two of those birdies.

Three birdies in the first seven holes put Spieth and Reed in command of the opening match and their European opponents managed just a solitary birdie before Reed sealed a 3&2 win on the 16th.

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson have added some impressive bling to their collections this year, but so far it’s been anything but champagne wishes and caviar dreams for the European duo at Hazeltine. “My reaction at the last hole, I just wanted to show them how much it meant to me”. “Obviously it is not an ideal start but we’ve come back from positions like this in the past”. A whole host of them chanted, “Brexit!” You can’t steal something you always owned. But they scratched and clawed their way back to a point.

Johnson nailed the shot and pumped his fists in the air.

“The way DJ hits the ball, I just try not to mess him up”, Kuchar said.

Ben said it is a challenge to get themselves heard amongst the sea of red, white and blue fans. Garcia and Kaymer were 1-up on Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson from the second through the 11th holes but got trampled coming home and lost 4&2.

Rory McIlroy joins handpicked partner Andy Sullivan, a Cup newcomer from England, against USA favorites Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.

After winning all three of their matches together at Gleneagles two years ago, it was no surprise that Rose and Stenson were sent out first for the second Ryder Cup in succession. “I was really nervous starting out, hit some pretty squirrelly shots”, Walker said.

“Patrick, be safe. I’m in the water”, Spieth called out to Reed, who was trying to figure out a way to navigate through the trees. We are preparing, we are focusing, but you have to enjoy it.

Fowler, touched by Mickelson’s words, shared the sentiment.

Fowler gets his first full point in Ryder Cup competition with an improbable comeback against McIlroy and Sullivan.

That was a good word for the morning session: “special”.

Finally, he yelled out to Rose, “You can’t make that putt!”

Woods, one of Love’s five vice captains, was stone-faced while walking with Johnson and Kuchar – and while riding in a golf cart with recording artist Darius Rucker.

Europe’s best players played best.

Everyone here can taste it, too.

He told Sky at the end of play: “We had a great morning, we got beat by a team playing unbelievable golf this afternoon”.

Faith, something that might be slipping from the Euros’ grasp. I’m proud of our guys, they competed all day. That match is worth almost more than one point for Europe, because if we can beat their two most popular players, that’s an early blow for them.

The crowds out here are raucous and pounding tall boy Bud Lights, but they aren’t out of control.

Veteran Lee Westwood pushed his drive into a bunker off the first tee and things went downhill from there as rookie Pieters missed the green as they went one down.

“If it had been 4-0 our way, it would have been the same pairings going out this afternoon”.

The Americans have not lost the opening session since 2006, when Europe had the better team at home in Ireland and sailed to a nine-point victory.