Ryder Cup 2021 as it happened - Team USA in control against Team Europe after opening day
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Updated 25/09/2021 at 09:12 GMT
Team USA and Team Europe do battle across three days at Whistling Straits for the right to call themselves Ryder Cup champions. Europe are defending their title after a comfortable 17.5-10.5 victory in France in 2018, and boast world number one Jon Rahm in their ranks. However, USA have eight of the world's top 10 and revenge in their sights. Join us for live coverage of day one.
‘One of the best days!’ - McIlroy wants to experience another Ryder Cup road win
USA 6-2 Europe
Steve Stricker's side made an impressive start to the Ryder Cup, and hold a four-point lead heading into day two at Whistling Straits.
All the action from day one is below. It's tough reading for Padraig Harrington's European team.
Enjoy more coverage of the Ryder Cup from Golf Digest
Friday Foursomes - USA 3-1 Europe
- Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth (USA) vs 3&1 Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia (Europe)
- Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa 3&2 vs Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland
- Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger 2&1 vs Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick
- Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 5&3 vs Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter
Friday Fourballs - USA 3-1 Europe
- Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele 2&1 vs Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger
- Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler A/S vs A/S Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton
- Tony Finau and Harris English 4&3 vs Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry
- Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay A/S vs A/S Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland
00:33 - USA in command after day one
That's it for today, thanks for tuning in. Europe have ground to make up, and captain Harrington has much to ponder overnight for his selections as a number of his team did not play well on Friday.
00:30 - Final match finishes all square
No one finds a birdie, and pars from Fleetwood and Thomas ensure the anchor game shares the point.
00:19 - Thomas and Hovland find the green
Cantlay comes up short and faces a devilish shot for his third. Fleetwood follows Cantlay into the bunker. Hovland finds the putting surface, but it's slight advantage USA as Thomas keeps his ball below the hole.
00:12 - Fairway finders
All four players find the fairway, Thomas in particular blasts one a long way down. He will have a very short iron in his hand for the second.
00:08 - Thomas' birdie putt on 17 stays up
The American tried to drop it in stone dead down the hill, but it stays on the top side. Hole is halved and they go down 18 all-square.
00:00 - Hatton finds the birdie
A massive putt from Hatton, off the back of a brilliant approach, and it rescues half a point for Europe. It was a superb match and neither pair deserved to lose.
23:54 - Thomas with the eagle
Never in doubt as the right-to-left putt tracks all the way to the hole. He sets off with the big celebration and the bottom match is now all square. How Europe are not already over the line in this one is a mystery.
23:52 - Hatton with a lazer
A brilliant approach from the Englishman to eight feet and Rahm follows him in to 15 feet and will be able to give his partner the line. Europe could scramble a half a point.
23:49 - Thomas with a beauty
The American goes all-out on the par-five 16th and finds the back of the green. He has a putt for an eagle. Advantage USA as Fleetwood's second is in the water and Hovland is way back.
23:43 Bryson finds the fairway on 18
Scheffler hits a wide to the right, but DeChambeau throttles back with a three wood and finds the fairway. A sensible play. Rahm and Hatton find the fairway and are well down. They will have short irons in hand.
23:39 - Hatton scrapes the hole
The Englishman gives it a good roll on 17, but it stays on the high side and the Americans take a one-hole lead down the 18th. It's the first view of the 18th today.
23:37 - Fleetwood with another beauty
The Englishman knocks in a 12-footer on 15 for a half to keep the lead against Thomas and Cantlay.
23:24 - Rahm rolls in another
Sensational stuff from Rahm who strokes in a brilliant 15-footer for birdie. DeChambeau misses, but Scheffler finds the bottom of the cup to keep USA one up in the second match.
23:17 - DJ and Schauffele seal the win
After being serenaded with the American anthem (which was followed by shouts of USA, USA!), Johnson and Schauffele close out the win on 17 to extend USA's lead to 5-1.
23:14 - Finau and English close out the win
Finau, well it had to be, rolls in a putt on 15 to wrap up a 5&3 win over McIlroy and Lowry. Lowry did not play too bad, but had little help from his off-form partner,.
23:04 - Bryson shouts fore!
He didn't do it on the first where he hit a fan, but he did shout fore on 16 after a wild drive to the right.
23:01 - Casey keeps Europe alive
The Englishman drains a right-to-lefter from 10 feet to cut the gap to two.
22:59 - Hatton misses, Bryson does not
USA move ahead in the second game as DeChambeau rolls in a seven-footer. It's feeling a lot like this.
22:56 - Tommy drains one
After a couple of costly misses, Fleetwood rolls one in on 13 for a half to remain one to the good in the bottom match.
22:48 - Bryson finds the short grass
After an age waiting for Scheffler to play from out of position, DeChambeau finds the middle of the green on 15. With Rahm in trouble, there's a lot of pressure on Hatton to get up and down from a bunker.
22:38 - Top match heading USA's way
Schauffele rolls in a par putt, and they are now three up with three to play.
22:30 - Hovland misses
The rookie's effort stays on the high side and with Cantlay's putt already conceded, the bottom game is back down to one up for Europe. In the third match, Finau drains another putt and he and English are four to the good on McIlroy and Lowry.
22:25 - Cantlay lazers one close on 12
Cantlay takes dead aim and he gets his ball inside what Rahm and DeChambeau did earlier in the day. Ridiculously good. Hovland puts his ball to 12 feet, but it's advantage USA.
22:21 - Tommy's putt slides by on 11
Fleetwood's excellent approach on 11 leaves him with a five-footer, but he misses it on the right and the hole is halved. He and Hovland remain two to the good, but they keep passing up chances. The door is ajar for Thomas and Cantlay.
22:13 - DeChambeau no good from the bunker
The massive drive did not pay off, as he struggles to get out of the bunker and the 13th is halved.
22:05 - Finau cannot miss
He strokes in a 15-footer from the edge of the green on 11 and it's good enough for a half to remain three to the good.
21:59 - Bryson with another bomb
The crowd erupts as DeChambeau pulls out driver on 13. It's 404 yards to the hole and he puts it in a bunker pin high. He really does play a different game to others at times.
21:48 - Rahm and DeChambeau with darts on 12
Stopping the ball downwind on 12 has been a problem for the players, but not for the Spaniard who lands it on the perfect spot and hits it stiff. Hatton is dancing around the pin as well. Pressure is on Bryson and he responds by knocking his ball next to Rahm's. They will get to the green and pick them up, which is a good way to speed up play.
21:46 - Rahm responds to draw level
Lots of cheers around the course, which is a bad sign for Europe, but Rahm holds his nerve to drop a six-footer into the hole to get back level with DeChambeau and Scheffler.
21:44 - Finau again
Another hole, another drained putt for Finau. McIlroy is unable to respond and the USA are three to the good.
21:35 Royalty at Whistling Straits
21:31 - Fleetwood with another big putt
The one bit of blue on the board is looking good, with Tommy draining a 12-footer to extend the lead to three. He might be missing Franco, but Viktor is proving an able deputy wingman.
21:27 - USA up in three games
Scheffler drains a putt on 10 and with Rahm's replay slipping by, Europe are in bother.
21:25 - Daylight in the top game
DJ with a brilliant approach into 11 and he rolls in the putt for the win. Massive cheers, and the crowd seems to know three up is a big lead.
21:23 - Finau comes to the party
After a superb approach on the eighth, Finau rolls in the birdie putt and he and English are two to the good on the Irish pair.
21:11 - Johnson drains one
Excellent stuff from Johnson on the 10th, as an excellent chip is followed up by an excellent putt to open up a two-hole advantage in the top match.
21:05 - Rahm for the win
The world number one plays a textbook ninth hole, as he finds the fairway, arrows and iron in close and makes the putt for a birdie. All square at the turn in match two.
21:04 - English with a winning putt
Finau has been doing most of the work, but his partner makes an excellent chip and putt to move ahead of McIlroy and Lowry.
20:52 - Fleetwood drains one for the win
Tommy knocks in a putt for birdie from the edge of the sixth. Cantlay and Thomas fail to respond, and the Europeans are now two to the good. Cantlay's fail came after a remarkable second shot.
20:49 Casey chipping away
Casey takes advantage of his brilliant approach on nine to nail the putt and he and Wiesberger turn one down.
20:47 - DeChambau on fire
The American sinks a 20-footer to put himself and Scheffler in front of Rahm and Hatton.
20:37 - Thomas putt fails to drop
After all the drama on the fifth, Thomas had a putt for the win but it drifted by on the low side - meaning Fleetwood and Hovland remain one ahead.
20:33 - Hatton putter runs cold
Hatton's putt misses on the low side, and USA escape from the seventh with a half.
20:31 - Finau draws USA level
Finau drives the green on the sixth and two putts give him a comfortable birdie to draw level with McIlroy and Lowry.
20:22 - Hatton on fire
The seventh has been tough to hit for everyone, but not Hatton who takes it over the lake and draws it to five feet.
20:21 - The Bryson drive
20:18 - Cantlay with the bomb
The American takes the Tiger line on five and carries it all the way through the fairway. A cable stops it going into the water. Drama everywhere.
20:15 - Rory comes to the party
McIlroy rolls in a long eagle putt to secure the fifth hole. He went for the carry ala Bryson, and he got the same eagle to take him and Lowry into the lead.
20:13 - Drama on the sixth
Blind panic on the part of Bryson's caddie, as he can't get the flag out of the hole as his man's ball heads towards the up. It pulls up short, but had the ball gone in it would have been a penalty for the American.
20:09 - Europe put blue on the board
Cantlay fails with a 20-foot putt for a half and Fleetwood and Hovland are now one to the good.
20:02 - From the sublime to the ridiculous
After monstering the fifth and making eagle, Bryson roofs his tee shot on the sixth. He almost went under the ball, and he's in a horrible spot.
19:59 - Schauffele error
Xander lips out a putt from five feet after Wiesberger had made his and Europe and back within two. Meanwhile, the Lowry roar.
19:57 - Eagle for DeChambeau
After turning the fifth into a drive, pitch and putt, Bryson makes his eagle to take him and Scheffler back level with Rahm and Hatton.
19:54 - A roar from Lowry
The big Irishman is pumped for the Ryder Cup and rolls in a putt from off the green to secure a half on the fourth.
19:52 - Yes, this happened
Dechambeau's tee shot came to rest on the par five a mere 72 yards from the hole. Bonkers, totally bonkers. He has the touch to match the muscle as he hits a wedge to six feet for his eagle.
19:49 - Hovland chips in on the third
The rookie has the safety of a free shot with Fleetwood in close, and he takes advantage by chipping in to get the match back level.
19:45 - Bryson with the bomb
DeChambeau is good watching, however you feel about him. He lets it rip on the par-five fifth and sends his drive miles down the fairway (417 yards to be precise), taking a different line to the rest of the players.
19:40 - Top match getting away from Europe
Johnson drains an eight-footer for the win on the fifth to go three up. Wiesberger started well, but has gone cold and was shaking his wrist after his third shot on the fifth.
19:36 - Hatton with some bunker magic
We've seen a few dodgy shots from bunkers already today, but Hatton has no problems as he splashes out to three feet on the fourth. It draws a mistake as Scheffler misses his putt for the half. Fleetwood makes a battling par on the second to keep him and Hovland one down.
19:33 - Lowry doing some heavy lifting
McIlroy is spraying the ball around at the moment. Lowry is unfazed as he knocks in a putt to halve the third. The wind getting up will please Shane, that's for sure.
19:30 - Breeze issues for Casey
The Englishman thinks he's hit a beauty on the fifth, but it flies on the wind and goes miles through the back. Tough looking shot coming back.
19:21 - Casey misses a tiddler
The Englishman had a short putt to secure the fourth hole, but he pulled it off the face and USA remain one up in the top match.
19:15 - Bryson's putter is hot
After a wide off the tee, DeChambeau rolls in a 20-footer for his par to secure a half on the third to remain all square with Rahm and Hatton.
19:13 - Horseshoe for Tommy
Fleetwood hits a great putt but it winds around the hole and stays above ground. Thomas knocks his birdie in to win the first hole.
19:06 - Wides from the USA
Schauffele sends his tee shot on the fourth into the lake, and Johnson finds a bunker on the right.
19:02 - Xander with the long-range birdie
USA edge ahead in the top match as Schauffele rolls in his long putt for birdie and Casey misses. Hatton starts birdie-birdie to keep the second match all-square.
19:00 - Final match underway
The amphitheatre around the first will now clear as the final match is in play. Fleetwood and Thomas find the rough, but Hovland and Cantlay are on the fairway.
18:54 - Lowry drains his putt
Finau whipped up the crowd by knocking in a 30-footer, but it does not faze Lowry who responds to share the first hole.
18:53 - DJ with a dart
Johnson fires his tee shot on the par three to nine feet, and the Americans look good.
18:50 - Rory fires close
Ater a wild tee shot, McIlroy plays a delightful pitch to 10 feet. He could do with a settler after some indifferent play in his defeat in the morning foursomes.
18:44 - Wild off the tee, again
DeChambeau is in the cabbage off the tee on the second. He'd be a liability in foursomes, but fourballs he can be let loose to do his thing.
18:44 - Rory and Lowry in the rough
The USA are better placed in the third match, as the Europeans find the rough - while Finau and English are on the fairway.
18:41 - Bryson with the birdie
A lot is made about his driving, but the short game is pretty tasty. He completes the up and down by rolling in his putt to halve the hole.
18:39 - Bernd's on fire
Wiesberger sends his approach to the par five seconds to 10 feet. The breeze is stiffening now and this course could get spicy.
18:34 - Hatton with a stunner
The Englishman plays a glorious pitch from the rough and it's stone dead. It piles the pressure on the USA and Scheffler fails to respond, as he comes up 30 feet short. DeChambeau from a horrible lie puts it to 10 feet. That was some shot.
18:29 - Rahm with a monster drive
Fresh from his win in the foursomes, the Spaniard smashes a huge drive down the middle. Hatton finds the rough on the right, but it's a good angle. Scheffler splits the fairway. DeChambeau mooses one away, but it's wild and down the left and hits a spectator - with no shout of fore. Much will depend on the lie.
18:25 - It's Bryson time
After being benched for the foursomes, DeChambeu is let loose on the fourballs. Expect him to take on shots that others won't even contemplate. Scheffler will play the role of Steady Eddie, which is alien to him.
18:24 - Schauffele drains one
The volume goes up as Schauffele rolls in a 20-footer to secure a birdie. Wiesberger follows him in to make a birdie on the first hole of his Ryder Cu bow.
18:19 - Bernd with a beauty
Wiesberger flicks a wedge to around five feet on the first. What a start from the Austrian. Schauffele comes up short and DJ is through the back, so advantage Europe.
18:15 - Interesting reading
This does raise eyebrows with regard to Stricker's selections. To be fair, Johnson and Schauffele looks a really good combo on paper.
18:10 - Casey finds the short stuff
Paul Casey splits the fairway with the opening tee shot of the fourballs. Wiesberger follows suit. Schauffele, so impressive in the morning, hammers it miles down the right side of the fairway. Johnson finds the rough, but the lie looks good.
18:05 - Players on the 1st tee
Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele, Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger are on the first tee. The Europeans could do with a fast start to dampen the enthusiasm of this crowd. They are pretty fired up.
Ryder Cup Foursomes (Friday 24 September)
- Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth (USA) vs 3&1 Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia (Europe)
- Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa 3&2 vs Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland
- Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger 2&1 vs Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick
- Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 5&3 vs Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter
17:55 - 15-minute claxon
The atmosphere is warming up around the first tee. It will come as no surprise, but some of Wisconsin's finest libations appear to have been ingested.
17:40 Afternoon fourball pairings
- Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele vs Paul Casey and Bernd Wiesberger (6:10)
- Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler vs Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton (6:26)
- Tony Finau and Harris English vs Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry (6:42)
- Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay vs Tommy Fleetwood and Victor Hovland (6:58)
Some surprises there, for sure. Did not expect Stricker to split up Cantlay and Schauffele. Morikawa sitting out, but he's returning from injury so may not have wanted to play 36 holes. No Garcia is a surprse.
17:25 - Worth another look
The afternoon fourballs pairings will be named soon, but until then here's another look at the shot of the day.
17:22 Koepka and Berger get the point
Koepka rolls in a shortie on the 17th to close out Westwood and Fitzpatrick. The USA lead 3-1. They led by the same scoreline in Paris, so don't give up hope if you're a European fan.
17:16 - Cantlay and Schauffele win
Poulter misses a birdie putt on 15 and a handshake is offered to the Americans. Poulter and McIlroy went out in 39, which is not going to get anything done.
17:10 - Berger and Koepka in command
The USA are two up and two to play after the 16th was halved. And for those who have not seen it, here's Spieth's escape of all escapes.
16:59 - Johnson and Morikawa close it out
Morikawa rolls in a four-footer on 16 to secure the first American point. Johnson and Morikawa were absolutely sentational.
16:55 - Reaction from Garcia and Rahm
"It felt great," Garcia said. "I knew I had this man on my side. He was amazing and made every putt he had to. It was a great match, Justin and Jordan played really well."
"When you have this guy hitting the ball it is easy to be relaxed," Rahm said. "I knew my job on the front nine would be putting, He gave me chances and I made some."
16:52 - Garcia and Rahm win
Thomas fails to take advantage of Spieth's miracle shot, and the opening match goes to Rahm and Garcia.
16:50 - Stunning from Spieth
With seemingly no show, with his ball up against a vertical piece of grass he somehow gets the ball up to within five feet. He immediately loses balance and almost ends up in the lake. Sensational.
16:48 - Poulter again
With the Americans in close, Poulter knocks in his birdie putt to keep within three.
16:47 - Afternoon pairings out soon
16:43 - Thomas in trouble
Thomas bails out to the right, aware of the dangers lurking on the left. He gets a bounce off the bank and it flies to the left and drops into the cavernous bunker. Garcia finds the middle of the green, and it's almost done.
16:38 - Thomas and Spieth cut the gap
The Americans win the par-five 16th with a birdie, Thomas ramming a putt into the back of the cup, to take the top match to the 17th.
16:35 - Poulter with the save
Poulter rolls in a right-to-lefter to get out of the 12th with a birdie and a half. He's not done, yet.
16:29 - Golf at its best
McIlroy pumps an iron into eight feet on the 12th and Schauffele follows up by hitting his to three feet. There was hug pressure after two lost holes in a row.
16:26 - Back to back wins for Rory and Poults
Schauffele misses the green with a wedge and the Europeans win the hole with a par. They are now within three.
16:25 - Fitzpatrick out of jail
After his error, Fitzpatrick knocks in a brilliant putt and Berger misses to halve the hole. Europe two down but could have been worse.
16:23 - Garcia magic
Sergio silences the crowd with a huge birdie putt on 15. It never looked anywhere else and prompts a fist pump, and a few boos. Thomas misses from a lot closer and Europe are three up with three to play.
16:19 - A shocker from Fitz
From the centre of the fairway, Fitzpatrick sends an iron 20 yards long and down a steep bank. A truly awful error.
16:16 - Casey and Hovland from nowhere
After a terrible tee shot from Casey which forced Hovland to chop out, the rookie makes a 15-foot putt and the Americans miss - meaning an unexpected win. Back to within two.
16:13 - A win for Rory and Poults
The Europeans take advantage of Cantlay's error to grab their first hole of the day. It's still a long way back, but there's hope.
16:10 - Cantlay duffs a chip
After being placed in an ideal position in the fairway, Cantaly duffs his chip and Schauffele has to put the putter away and grab his wedge. An opening for McIlroy and Poulter.
16:08 - Thomas with the save
Spieth rushes his putt for the hole on the 14th and Thomas is forced to roll in a five footer for the half. He does it, but USA remain two down.
16:00 - USA turning the screw
Morikawa takes advantage of a brilliant tee shot from Johnson on 12 to roll in a birdie putt and they are three to the good. one hole behind, Berger knocks in his putt to move two to the good.
15:50 - Americans making a move
Morikawa strokes in a birdie putt following an excellent approach from Johnson and they are two to the good, while Thomas taps in after a brilliant pitch from Spieth to cut the gap in the top match.
15:47 - Koepka with the birdie
The Americans are back in front in the third match after Koepka rolls in a birdie after Fitzpatrick missed.
15:45 - Garcia tops one
Even the best can give hope to the hackers, as Garcia tops his tee shot on the 13th. It remains to be seen if the ball got to the fairway, but even if it did it will leave Rahm miles back.
15:42 - Poor from Poulter
At five down, chances are running out for McIlroy and Poulter. They had one on the eighth, but he missed a putt from six feet and the holes is halved.
15:36 - Nerves of steel
The 12th is a thing of beauty (if you're watching, not playing). It's a tight flag on the par three, but both Rahm and Spieth take it on and fire shots to 10 feet. Brilliant stuff.
15:34 - Costly putting blips from USA
Berger misjudges his putt, leaving Koepka with a six-footer for a half. It lips out and the Europeans win the ninth with a par to draw level at the turn.
15:30 - Spaniards flying the flag
Rahm and Garcia have made five birdies so far. The rest of the Europeans have three between them. It's a stat which speaks volumes about the current state of play.
15:25 - Johnson clutch putt
DJ has missed a few putts so far, but rolls one in from eight feet halve the ninth. The Americans turn one to the good.
15:19 - Rahm and Garcia in charge
The Spaniards make another birdie and they are in command after 10 holes. Garcia and Rahm could be playing a lot of golf this weekend.
15:13 - Schauffele is human
The American misses a putt from 12 feet, allowing Poulter to scramble a half. They are the only group on the course not to make a birdie.
15:11 - USA scrambling
DJ and Morikawa were in huge trouble off the tee on the eighth, but they kept in the hunt and earned a half as Hovland failed to convert from eight feet. The second match is one-up for USA.
15:05 - Rory and Poults five down
Schauffele makes a long putt and McIlroy fails to follow him in, meaning it's five holes played and five holes lost.
15:03 - Luck not enough
Koepka fails to take advantage of Berger's slice of fortune as he misses the putt and the hole is halved.
14:58 - Lucky, lucky Berger
A huge break for Berger on the seventh. His tee shot is leaking right, but hits a bank and bounces down towards the cup for a birdie chance. Luck can play a big part.
14:53 - Fitzpatrick arrives
Fitzpatrick has made a slow start, but he comes to the party with an excellent putt on the sixth to cut the gap to one.
14:51 - Rahm rolls one in, again
Rahm with another birdie and Europe are two to the good. The plan of Garcia taking the first tee shot is paying off as Rahm has had looks at birdies and is making them.
14:45 - Rory and Poults in trouble
This sums things up quite nicely as a putt slides by meaning they are four down.
14:43 - DJ drains one
Johnson knocks in a putt from 15 feet to get the second match back to all square.
14:37 - Birdie for Garcia and Rahm
Rahm rolls his birdie putt in dead weight. It asks the question of Spieth and he fails to deliver. It dribbles past on the right and Europe back in front in the top match.
14:34 - Postman lost his bag?
Poulter and McIlroy find themselves three down after three holes. The first two were due to errors, the third on account of excellent approach from Cantlay and solid putt from Schauffele. Ian Poulter needs to find his bag.
14:31 - Tasty from Thomas and Garcia
The seventh hole at Whistling Straits is a thing of beauty, a long par three hugging the shoreline. Thomas sends a low stinger to 12 feet. Garcia counters with a glorius shot of his own. Both have good birdie looks.
14:28 - Testy in the top match
The circle of friendship is not very big in the top match. Rahm cosies his putt to three feet, but Spieth and Thomas make Garcia putt out. He does. Possibly it was a consequence of making USA putt out on the previous green when they had two putts from 18 feet for the hole.
14:26 - The rough is not fun
USA make a mess of the fourth hole, with Koepka unable to find the putting surface after being left in a terrible spot. Westwood and Fitzpatrick take advantage to cut the deficit to one.
14:22 - McIlroy missed putt
Poulter does well to get his partner to 12 feet, but McIlroy misses and Europe are two down after two in the bottom match.
14:21 - Billy giving it out
Fitzpatrick's caddie Billy Foster makes his feelings to a camerman known, telling him to back off and keep the noise down.
14:17 - McIlroy error
Rory's shot from a bunker comes out hot and runs through the green on the second, leaving Poulter in a tough spot. Not a good start from the Europeans in the anchor match.
14:14 - Rahm's error costly
Finding the water proved costly for Europe as Spieth uses only one of the two putts he and Thomas had to take the fifth. The USA birdie levels up the top match after five holes.
14:12 - Koepka excellence
Koepka made comments that suggested he was not fussed about the Ryder Cup. His play is anything but as he knocks in his birdie putt on the third, Fitzpatrick misses and USA are two-up in the third match.
14:10 - Holvand and Casey in front
An error off the tee from USA on the fourth and Morikawa fails to find the cup for 15 feet for his par, and the Europeans are in front.
14:06 - Rahm in the water
After an excellent tee shot from Garcia, Rahm went for the par five fifth in two but does not have the carry and he is swimming.
14:05 - USA ahead in the bottom match
A perfect hole for America, with fine drive, excellent pitch and confident putt from Cantlay. In contrast, a poor chip from McIlroy resulted in a par for Europe.
14:01 - Rahm from downtown
The best way to slience the crowd is to make putts and Rahm does that from the edge of the green and Europe take the lead in the top match.
13:56 - Second match all square
Hovland takes advantage of Casey's excellent tee shot for a birdie on the third. Johnson misses so Europe are now level in the second match.
13:53 - Match 4 underway
All four games are now on the course and the stands around the first are now being vacated. They'll be full again in about four hours. Poulter finds the fairway, Cantlay in the semi-rough.
13:50 - Impressive from Morikawa and Casey
After the second was halved in birdie fours, Casey and Morikawa throws darts at the pin on the third. Excellent stuff from both players, with the European ball slightly closer.
13:47 - Westwood nervy miss
Westwood misses a makeable putt on the first. It was a push, pure and simple. And the USA get out of the first with a half.
13:42 - Birdie for Rahm and Garcia
A shout of 'fore' from the crowd greeted Garcia's tee shot on the third, but it was ill made as the Spaniard's ball stopped 10 feet from the hole and Rahm drained the putt to get the top match back to all square. A first fist pump of the day for Europe.
13:38 - "Get in the Bunker!"
Is the cry that greets Westwood's tee shot on the first. That fella was left disappointed as the ball finds the fairway.
13:36 - Nervy Hovland
The European rookie pulls his tee shot on the second into the left rough. After a poor approach from fairly close on the first, it's not the ideal start to Ryder Cup life for Hovland.
13:35 - Stricker's thoughts
Striker has just given an insight into his foursomes planning. He did not mention names, but we can assume Bryson DeChambeau is unlikely to need to set his alarm clock. To be fair, he’s probably on the range working on his long drive work.
13:33 - More cheers for USA
Thomas' putt on the second finds the right edge and drops, meaning USA are one-up on both games out on the course.
13:32 - USA edge ahead
Casey's putt scrapes the hole but stays top side. Morikawa finds the middle of the cup and USA go one-up on the first with a birdie.
13:30 Poor break for Europe
Garcia's ball remained on the bank, leaving Rahm with an awful shot. He fails to make the green and the USA are well placed. Back on the first, Johnson pulls off a brilliant shot and is inside the European ball.
13:25 - A good leave from Thomas
Thomas rips into a three wood and is just short of the second green in two. Spieth's short game is good so it's advantage USA as Garcia goes left with his second. Can't tell if it toppled into the bunker or remained on the bank. If it's on the bank, it will be awkward for Rahm.
13:22 - Match 2 underway
The booing is getting a bit boring now. Casey does the best thing possible with a smile and a nod, and promptly finds the fairway. It's on the right-hand side so is an excellent angle. Morikawa finds an ugly spot up a bank so advantage Europe in that one.
13:19 - Rahm in the rough
Rahm lets fly on the par five, but finds the right rough. It's not ankle deep so a decent lie could see them get home in two. Spieth finds the fairway with his drive. The Americans have found both fairways, Europe not one.
13:17 - Thomas misses
A nervy putt from seven feet which never threatened the hole from Thomas. It was an awful strike. Rahm holes his putt for a par and gives the Americans their putt. The first is halved in four.
13:15 - Garcia great chip
A glorious chip from Garcia, it scrapes the hole and is a certain four for Europe. That will settle the nerves after a poor drive.
13:13 - Birdie chance for USA
Jordan Spieth flips a chip to about eight feet, while Rahm splashes out to the back of the green. Early chance for USA to edge ahead on the first.
13:06 - Play underway
Europe with the honour and Sergio, looking nervous, sends his ball into the bunker on the left of the opening fairway. Pete Dye put in about 1,000 bunkers on the course, some of which are penal. Justin Thomas splits the fairway, so advantage USA.
13:05 - Players introduced
The players are introduced to the crowd and Sergio has driver in hand, so he will tee off first for Europe. Prediction correct. A stropped clock is correct twice a day.
13:02 - Boos for Europe
Predictably, the crowd greet Rahm and Garcia in the expected manner. Sergio has a big grin on his face; he's seen it all before.
13:00 - Players are on the tee
Huge roars ring round the first tee as the players make their way into the amphitheatre. "USA, USA, USA" is going to get pretty tired in a few hours. Would love a few more strings to their singing bow.
12:57 - Captains are here
Boos ring round the first tee as Europe captain Padraig Harrington makes his way onto the tee. It seemed more pantomime booing than anything sinister. To be fair, Padraig has done an excellent job of winning over the crowds this week.
12:55 - Prediction time
This is going to be tight. I can't see it being a blowout either way. The talk is USA are the stronger team on paper, but that's the case all the time. Can they play as a team?
12:50 - 15-minute warning claxon
The four players and their caddies will soon be arriving on the first tee. Expect the decibel level to turn up a notch.
12:47 - Battling the opponents, and the crowd
Team Europe have done it before, but battling the crowd is going to be incredibly difficult this time around. Vocal crowds are fine, let's hope none cross the line. Over or under on the number of 'Get in the holes' is extremely high.
12:43 - A good use of 3 minutes and 4 seconds of your time
Tommy is right, this is worth a watch.
12:40 - Rahm to tee off first?
I get the feeling Sergio Garcia will tee off first for Europe, as the way the holes are set up - all being well - it will give Jon Rahm a look at birdie putts on a decent stretch of holes on the front nine. Rahm is the better putter of the two. It’s a little over 20 minutes until my first prediction is proved wrong.
12:35 - Atmosphere is building, and the USA fans are loud
The sun is coming up in Wisconsin, which to be honest is fairly vital to playing golf, and the stands around the first tee are packed - it took all of 12 minutes for all the seats to be filled in what is an amazing sight.
12:30 - Ryder Cup fever is taking grip
Welcome to Eurosport’s coverage of the 2020 Ryder Cup. Yes, we’re in 2021 but you know the drill here. We’re a little over half an hour from the opening tee shots. Nerves will be jangling and it’s a decent bet that one of the two to tee off first will struggle to put their ball on the tee peg.
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