"The Europeans blitzed the Americans in the first two sessions at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in 2023, and they did it again Friday in grabbing a 5.5-2.5 lead. Riding the hot hands of Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, the Europeans are in position to capture the Ryder Cup for the 11th time in the past 15 matches -- and they'll be looking to end the home team's five-match winning streak as well."
"By then, the Europeans were up 3-1 and riding momentum into the afternoon session and they were able to transition from quiet confidence into a kind of fire of their own every time they made a crucial putt in front of them. "It gets louder as it goes," Luke Donald said. "You cross the road and there's a lot of grandstands. There's a lot of hospitality. In the afternoon, maybe guys have had a couple more beverages. You know, it gets loud, and the guys handled it with absolute class and poise.""
Europeans seized control of the Ryder Cup opening day at Bethpage Black, building a 5.5-2.5 lead after Friday's sessions. Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood supplied key performances that fueled European momentum. American top players struggled for consistent results and the anticipated home-crowd edge was less decisive until the afternoon. The Europeans can clinch the Cup by earning 8.5 of the remaining 20 points and have not won on U.S. soil since 2012. Afternoon momentum swings and McIlroy's clutch putting were decisive elements in the opening day outcome.
Read at ESPN.com
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