The Blue Wave: Can America Answer Back This Afternoon?

Scheffler's Shocking Collapse

Scottie Scheffler arrived at Bethpage as the world's best player. His 2024 season included multiple major championships. Russell Henley had proven reliable in team formats. None of it mattered against Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick.

The Europeans annihilated them, 5-and-3.

Åberg – playing his second Ryder Cup – looked like a 15-year veteran. The young Swede drained putts from everywhere while Fitzpatrick provided steady support. They won five of the opening nine holes, turning what should have been America's strongest pairing into roadkill.

Social media captured the moment: "Åberg puts the hammer down." The crowd, anticipating a Scheffler showcase, instead watched in stunned silence as Europe's next generation announced itself emphatically.

McIlroy and Fleetwood administered the third beating. Their 5-and-4 destruction of Collin Morikawa and Harris English was clinical from the start. McIlroy birdied the first hole. Then the Europeans reeled off three consecutive birdies on holes 4, 5, and 6 — game over before lunch.

Schauffele and Cantlay Prevent Total Disaster

Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay saved America from complete humiliation.

Their 2-up victory over Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre felt harder than it should have. The Americans led by three with seven holes remaining, then watched helplessly as the Europeans clawed back. With two holes left, the match was dead even.

That's when championship DNA kicked in. Schauffele and Cantlay closed out holes 17 and 18, earning America's solitary morning point. Without their clutch finish, the home team faced the nightmare scenario of getting blanked in session one.

"Xander delivered," celebrated the American team's social media. He did. Barely.

Afternoon Recalculation

Keegan Bradley faces mathematics and history. His measured words – "It's not exactly what we wanted, but we know the Ryder Cup is going to be ebbs and flows, and I've got a lot of faith in our boys" – sound optimistic. The numbers tell a different story.

No team has ever recovered from a 3-1 opening session deficit to win the Ryder Cup.

Bradley's afternoon pairings signal desperation disguised as strategy. Scheffler gets a new partner in J.J. Spaun – maybe the format change will unlock the world No. 1's individual brilliance — DeChambeau pairs with Ben Griffin against Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose. Cameron Young and Justin Thomas take on Åberg and Rasmus Højgaard.

Four-ball traditionally favors American aggression over European precision. The format rewards individual excellence rather than partnership chemistry. If Scheffler can rediscover his form, if DeChambeau's power overwhelms the Europeans, and if the home crowd can lift their players – maybe America can claw back.

But Europe tastes blood now — their confidence soars while American nerves fray. The visitors' pairings look dangerous across the board. A 2-2 afternoon split seems optimistic for the home team.

That would mean 5-3 Europe heading into Saturday. From there, the Americans would need to play exceptionally during the weekend sessions to regain the cup.

The blue wave crashed over Bethpage this morning. American comebacks are part of golf lore, but they usually start earlier than this. Time is running short. The pressure is mounting. Europe smells victory.

Can America answer back? The afternoon will tell us everything.