Golf, Ryder Cup: Europe has stretched its advantage over the USA of half a point

The reax of the USA was expected, but it did not arrive. After the 4 Fourballs of the afternoon, Europe extended its advantage of another half point and after the first day he commands 5 1/2-2 1/2. Nothing is still decided, but few were expected such a good start for the away team. The morning ended 3-1, a start that shocked the Americans who were not able to recover and have to invent something to regain the Ryder Cup. The Bethpage Black, the public field in Long Island, about fifty kilometers from the center of New York, has shown himself with his best dress: full of people, with the sun, in perfect condition. And while in the morning, having started at seven, the atmosphere was so hot but certainly not boiling, in the afternoon instead the American enthusiasm grew minute after minute. Donald Trump began, the first president in office to attend Ryder, who arrived a little before noon with his helicopter, after flying the field with the plane he had embarked on Washington, Air Force One. Trump, a little president but also grandfather, was accompanied by his nephew Kai, a young golfist, very friend and playmate of Charlie Woods, son of Tiger. Trump showed up with the blue suit of the ordinance from which a pair of white golf shoes sprouted, put behind an antipro -social glass to listen to the American anthem, but then he did not resist the temptation and went down to the Tee of the 1 to accompany Dechambeau and his companions. After a couple of hours he resumed the helicopter, and – even if there is certainly no relationship between the two things – the USA who up to that moment were going very well they began to slide back.

Here’s how the 4 afternoon matches went

Rahm/Straka (EUR) b. Scheffler/Spaun (USA) 3 & 2

It can now be said that Scottie Scheffler is a problem for the USA. The strongest player in the world has lost both his games, the first in pairs with Henley, the second with Spaun. In Rome he had lost two and tag two, so he reached 6 consecutive matches without being able to win. Apart from the first hole, which they won, he and Spaun were forced to chase Rahm and Straka throughout the afternoon, without being able to worry the Spaniard and the Austrian in the least. When it is in Ryder, Scheffler disappears, the Americans have to find a way quickly to find out where the real scottie ended. The one seen in Bethpage seemed his cousin.

Fleetwood/Rose (EUR) b. Griffin/Dechambeau (USA) 1 UP

Super Fleetwood who after draging Mcilroy in the morning ago the same with Justin Rose in the afternoon. One birdie after the other and the seal at the 18th when together with Rose (which makes the decisive Putt) closes the door to the attempt to recover Dechambeau and Griffin. Fleetwood is the player who, among those who played more than 10 games, has won more in the history of the Ryder. It is exalted with any companion play, whether Molinari in Paris 2018 or Mcilroy or Rose. A fundamental point for Europe.

Young/Thomas (USA) b. Aberg/Hojgaard (EUR) 6 & 5

An American domain for the couple led by Cameron Young, the star of the house being born a few kilometers from Bethpage. Nothing to do for the Scandinavians Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard, the only rookie of the European team. In history there have been better debuts …

Burns/Cantlay (USA) and Mcilroy/Lowry (EUR): even

A duel to see and review. With Mcilroy that exalts and sometimes it hurts – that wrong Putt at 3 from very close back again revenge – Lowry showing traits of his magic, while on the other side Burns is surgical and Cantlay, without ever making her a smile for five hours, is fierce in its determination. It ends up while the sun sets on a day that could not be the most beautiful.