FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Team Europe delivered a masterclass performance on the opening day of the 2025 Ryder Cup, surging to a 5.5-2.5 lead over the United States at Bethpage Black in what represents their first Friday advantage on American soil since 2004.

Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood emerged as the heroes for Europe, each contributing two crucial points across both the morning foursomes and afternoon fourballs sessions. Rahm, playing with exceptional precision, extended his remarkable Ryder Cup partnership record to 7-0-2 over his last nine team matches, demonstrating why he remains one of the most reliable competitors in the biennial competition.

The morning foursomes session set the tone for European dominance, with Captain Luke Donald's squad claiming a decisive 3-1 advantage. Rahm partnered with Tyrrell Hatton to demolish Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas 4&3, while Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood delivered a crushing 5&4 victory over Collin Morikawa and Harris English. The Americans managed just one point in the morning as the European team played near-flawless golf on the brutally difficult Long Island course.

The afternoon fourballs session offered little reprieve for the home side, with Europe securing another 2.5-1.5 advantage. Cameron Young and Justin Thomas provided the lone bright spot for Team USA, defeating Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard by a commanding 6&5 margin. However, the damage had already been done as European momentum proved unstoppable.

McIlroy, playing in front of partisan American galleries, showed remarkable resilience across nearly 11 hours of competition, partnering with Shane Lowry to earn a valuable half-point that contributed to Europe's commanding position. The Northern Irishman's energy and leadership were evident throughout the day as he encouraged his teammates and delivered crucial shots when needed.

The day's most shocking storyline belonged to world number one Scottie Scheffler, who posted a dismal 0-2-0 record alongside his partners. Scheffler became the first world number one to lose both Friday matches since Tiger Woods suffered the same fate in 2002, a statistic that will surely sting the American star. DeChambeau joined Scheffler in the winless column with his own 0-2-0 mark, leaving Team USA searching for answers heading into Saturday.

Captain Zach Johnson faces an uphill battle to rally his troops as they attempt to overcome the largest Friday deficit on home soil in Ryder Cup history. With only two days of competition remaining, the Americans will need to rediscover their form quickly if they hope to retain the cup.

Europe's confidence is soaring as they seek to build on this historic advantage when play resumes Saturday morning for the foursomes session.