Key Sentence:
- Since day one of the Ryder Cup, the United States has built on its most significant lead over Europe, winning both sessions 3-1 on Friday in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin.
- Bryson De Chambo wowed 40,000 home fans by dropping 417 yards into the fifth wheel as the Americans justified their favorite label.
It was a race day for the reigning champions, even though John Ram and Sergio Garcia were the only winners in Europe. Beating the fantastical home doubles of Spieth and Justin Thomas 3&1 in game four. Tyrell Hatton tackled the 10-foot bird to pick up his 18th point and midfield. While Tommy Fleetwood and Victor Howland also picked up half a point after being pulled from 3UP after eight by Patrick Country and Thomas.
But that was the only highlight of an unfavorable day for Europe, mainly against the Greens.
“Our kicks were good; we just didn’t drill the holes,” said Europe captain Padraig Harrington. “No doubt it was a tough day. It’s not a great start, but there are still 20 points to play for. Instead, the Americans took blow after blow, led by Dustin Johnson and Tony Finau, to kick-start the game.
However, US captain Steve Stryker warned his country not to be complacent.
“We had a few things biting our backs on Ryder’s other glasses,” he said. “My message to people before I left was to try to win the first session again and pretend [Friday] never happened.”
After Cantlay and Xander Schauffele dominated the opening four, beating Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter 5 & 3. All four balls went in the same direction for America, with McIlroy beaten late in a significant loss. This time to Shane Lowry 4 & 3 to Finau and Harris English. Europe led the first three games at a different stage of the four-ball. But the momentum shifted to the United States for 30 minutes in the middle of the session.
World number two Johnson drilled consecutive bits of over 15 feet on holes 10 and 11 to put the US 3UP in the top game against Paul Casey. And Bernd Visberger, while England and Finau combined for three pigeons from the eighth hole quoted. Finau, who also hit a 15-foot pitch in the 13th minute to reach 4UP. Scored a par to end his game on the 15th. Shortly after, Olympic champion Schaufele did the same with Johnson on the 17th and put the US team in the lead. 5-1.
De Chambo attracts a lot of people.
Scotty Scheffler and De Chambo’s play with Ram Ryder Cup and Hatton aroused the most significant interest. Thousands of people lined the first fairway when De Chambo’s special opening hit a woman’s leg. But Scheffler turned out to be an excellent foil; he hit his solid ball so that DeChambeau Big Shot could play his natural game.
DeChambeau hit the car 417 yards out amid loud shouts and screams from fans on the heels, leaving a 75-yard wedge for his second, resulting in the Eagles’ winning hole. “I know that when it’s a little windy, I can take a unique path,” said De Chambo.