Overview
- Europe jumped ahead 3–1 in the morning foursomes, with wins by Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood, and Ludvig Åberg/Matt Fitzpatrick as Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay claimed the lone U.S. point.
- Afternoon fourballs kept the momentum for the holders, with Sepp Straka/Rahm and Fleetwood/Justin Rose winning, Justin Thomas/Cameron Young scoring for the U.S., and McIlroy/Shane Lowry halving with Patrick Cantlay/Sam Burns.
- The overnight score of 5.5–2.5 puts defending champion Europe in control, needing 14 points to retain the Cup through the weekend’s foursomes, fourballs, and Sunday singles.
- Trump arrived around midday while the U.S. trailed, with organizers opening gates at 5 a.m. and imposing extensive screening as Air Force One performed a low pass over the course.
- Bethpage Black’s brutal setup and roaring crowds of more than 50,000 per day shaped play, including tense player–fan exchanges highlighted by a visible obscene gesture from McIlroy.