[Ryder Cup] U.S. Takes Early Lead "5 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss on Day One"... DeChambeau Shows "417-Yard Long Drive"

US Morning Foursome 3 Wins 1 Loss, Afternoon Fourball 2 Wins 2 Draws Securing 6 Points, EU's Ram Fights Alone with 1 Win 1 Draw

Dustin Johnson is cheering after making a birdie on the 11th hole during the afternoon four-ball match on the first day of the Ryder Cup. Haven, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] The United States succeeded in gaining the upper hand at home.

On the 25th (Korean time), at the Whistling Straits Golf Course (par 71, 7,390 yards) in Haven, Wisconsin, USA, the 43rd Ryder Cup began with the US leading 6-2 after the first day’s 8 matches. This tournament is the biennial intercontinental golf competition between the European Union and the United States. On the first and second days, there are four matches each of foursomes (two players alternate hitting one ball) and fourballs (each player plays their own ball, and the better score counts), followed by 12 singles matches on the final day.

The US secured 6 points with 3 wins and 1 loss in the morning foursomes, and 2 wins and 2 draws in the afternoon fourballs. A win earns 1 point, a draw 0.5 points. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth lost by 3 holes to world No. 1 Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia (both from Spain), but Dustin Johnson-Colin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka-Daniel Berger, and Patrick Cantlay-'Tokyo Olympics Gold' Xander Schauffele won three consecutive matches. Cantlay and Schauffele especially drew the spotlight by defeating Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and Ian Poulter (England) by 5 holes.

The US also dominated the afternoon foursomes. Johnson-Schauffele and Tony Finau-Harris English won, while Thomas-Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau-Scottie Scheffler drew, adding 0.5 points each. It was interesting that DeChambeau hit a 417-yard drive on the 5th hole (par 5, 581 yards). He easily made an eagle with a ‘2-on 1-putt,’ adding fan service. The European Union was satisfied with Jon Rahm preserving pride with 1 win and 1 draw.

The US is in a situation where revenge is urgent after suffering a ‘7-point defeat’ in France in 2018. Since its establishment in 1927, the overall record is favorable at 26 wins, 2 draws, and 14 losses, but in the 9 matches of the 2000s, the US has been on the defensive with 2 wins and 7 losses. There is even criticism that “compared to the tightly bonded camaraderie of the European Union, the US lacks cohesion.” The European Union has actually produced dramatic victories such as the ‘Miracle of Wales’ in 2010 and the ‘Battle of Chicago’ in 2012, and achieved a ‘3-peat’ in 2014. The second round has become even more important.