Overview
- Europe won three of four morning foursomes, including runaway victories by McIlroy/Fleetwood (5&4), Åberg/Fitzpatrick (5&3) over Scheffler/Henley, and Rahm/Hatton (4&3), marking the first time Europe captured the first three matches on U.S. soil.
- In fourballs, Europe added two more wins and a half: Rahm/Straka beat Scheffler/Spaun 3&2, Fleetwood/Rose edged DeChambeau/Griffin 1 up, Young/Thomas routed Åberg/Rasmus Hojgaard 6&5, and McIlroy/Lowry halved with Burns/Cantlay.
- Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau each went 0-2, and Scheffler became the first world No. 1 since Tiger Woods in 2002 to lose both opening-day matches.
- The raucous Bethpage Black galleries alternated cheers and boos through tightened security as President Donald Trump attended between sessions before departing early.
- Recent history favors the Day 1 leader, with the last five teams ahead on Friday going on to win and only one comeback from 5½–2½ or worse under the current format since 1999.