We had to wait a long extra year, but the Ryder Cup finally started. The USA team gave the first blow in the early morning, with a beautiful atmosphere and a lively American crowd.
Of the four matches played at Whistling Strait on Friday, only USA managed to win three times as the team won 3-1 after the first session of the 43rd Ryder Cup.
Rahm and Garcia took the lead
In the first match, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia faced Jordan Speed and Justin Thomas. The Spanish duo – especially the strong ones in the short game on Friday morning – won very well with 3 & 1. The first pitch of the 43rd Ryder Cup was hit by Sergio Garcia at 07:05 (14:05 Dutch time):
43rd # Rider Cup Is officially underway. pic.twitter.com/Rlg4BIzPnh
– Rydercup (@rydercup) September 24, 2021
In Game 2, Paul Casey and Rookie Victor Howland did not match Dustin Johnson and Colin Morikova: 3 & 2. 2 (Johnson) and 3 (Morikova) were an important win for the Americans as the pair were the strongest pair on paper in the world rankings.
America’s strongest four pairs
Brooks Koybka and Daniel Berger alternately beat Matt Fitzpatrick and Lee Westwood 2 & 1. In the fourth and final match, Europe won. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay were 5 against Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter after 5 holes. Around the turn, the Europeans jumped back but with good iron play, Schaffle and Candley comfortably finished the job with 5 & 3.
More later
Links to the second session of the four balls:
How do we line up this afternoon # Team Europe # Rider Cup pic.twitter.com/VOKNrU6wll
– Ryder Cup Europe (yRyderCupEurope) September 24, 2021
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