Saturday's Turning Point
The atmosphere at Bethpage State Park was electric on Saturday, but that energy quickly turned into a barrage of jeers for the visiting Europeans. Rather than buckle, the team turned the pressure into fuel. Ryder Cup stalwart Rory McIlroy stared down the noisy crowd, muttering a blunt reminder to keep quiet before launching into a flawless foursomes round with Tommy Fleetwood. Their partnership produced seven birdies, handing the United States a crushing defeat.
Captain Luke Donald praised the composure on display, noting that McIlroy’s reaction exemplified the squad’s mental edge. The Irishman didn’t let the boos affect his swing; instead, he let every shot speak for itself, and the scores proved it.
Jon Rahm kept his flawless alternate‑shot record alive, moving to 6‑0 in foursomes after a decisive 3‑and‑2 win alongside Tyrrell Hatton. The Spanish star and the Englishman out‑matched Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, handing the American pair their first loss of the week. Rahm’s steady play has become the backbone of Europe’s strategy, offering reliability when the crowd gets louder.
On the other side of the fairway, world‑number‑one Scottie Scheffler became the first top‑ranked player to drop his first three Ryder Cup matches. In his final pairing, a mis‑executed lob wedge from 104 yards missed the green entirely, sealing another point for Europe and underscoring the Americans’ struggle to find rhythm under the intense New York spectatorship.
What Lies Ahead on Sunday
Europe enters Sunday needing just 14 points to retain the cup, while the United States must scrape together 14½. With a five‑point cushion, the defending champions can afford a few slip‑ups, but the singles format means every hole still matters.
Luke Donald has kept his core lineup from the 2023 victory at Marco Simone, banking on chemistry that has already paid dividends. Players like McIlroy, Fleetwood, Rahm and Hatton have shown they can thrive when the crowd roars, and they will likely be the ace cards on the final day.
The American side faces a steep climb. Beyond Scheffler, veterans such as Collin Morikawa and Harris English will need to rebound quickly. The crowd’s fervor may still be a double‑edged sword—bolstering home players but also adding a layer of nerves.
All eyes will be on the first singles match, where momentum can swing dramatically. If Europe can keep their composure and let their solid fundamentals speak, the chance of another back‑to‑back Ryder Cup triumph looks strong.
