There is no question that it was Europe’s day on Friday at Bethpage Black, with Luke Donald’s men leading after the opening two sessions of the 2025 Ryder Cup by 5.5-2.5.
Luke Donald could hardly have asked for a better start, with the visitors winning the first three matches in New York.
Perhaps the most impressive performance came from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg as they beat Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley.
Remarkably, it was Scheffler’s third defeat in a row in Ryder Cup foursomes. In fact, he has lost every match he has played in that particular format. And while Henley was extremely poor, there is no doubt that the world number one was nowhere near his best.
Scottie Scheffler endures another tough start at the Ryder Cup
Scheffler had a point to prove after such a tough week in Rome. Unfortunately, his display on Friday morning would have done little to end comparisons with Tiger Woods, which, in a Ryder Cup context, is not flattering.
Woods lost 21 of his 37 matches in the Ryder Cup. It was baffling that the 15-time major champion was never able to find his best form in the event. He never won more than three points in a single Ryder Cup.
It is too soon to say whether Scheffler is going to end up with a similar record. He won 2.5 points from three matches on his debut at Whistling Straits in 2021.
But when you look at how Woods and Scheffler have performed in the Ryder Cup, it is arguably fair to say that Rory McIlroy has not got enough credit for the career he has had in the event.
Rory McIlroy’s Ryder Cup career does not get enough credit
McIlroy won his 19th point with his victory alongside Tommy Fleetwood on Friday morning. They thrashed the pairing of Collin Morikawa and Harris English.
Admittedly, McIlroy has not always been at his best in the Ryder Cup. He was left in tears in 2021 after only contributing a full point on the final day when the cup was all but lost.
But that is the only Ryder Cup McIlroy has played in where he has won fewer than two points. He won three points in 2012, 2014 and 2016 while he had his best return two years ago when he won four points from five matches.
There are now just nine players who have contributed more points in the Ryder Cup since 1979 than McIlroy.
Of those players, only Sir Nick Faldo and Phil Mickelson have won more majors. And no one ahead of him has won the Career Grand Slam.
Perhaps you could make the case that McIlroy should have an even better record given his talent. But there are clearly not many players who have shone so regularly in the majors while also consistently stepping up in the Ryder Cup.
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