Team USA are going to require one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history if they are going to win back the Ryder Cup after a European masterclass over the first two days at Bethpage.
Team Europe need just 2.5 points to retain the Ryder Cup after absolutely blowing Keegan Bradley‘s men away over the first four sessions in New York.
Europe led by three points after Friday. A fast start was needed from Bradley’s side on Saturday if they were going to give themselves a real chance of turning the matches around.
Unfortunately for the home side, the second day proved to be even more one-sided. Europe won both sessions 3-1 to leave themselves 11.5-4.5 ahead with just the 12 singles matches to come.
Brandel Chamblee compares Europe’s Ryder Cup performances to Tiger Woods
It has been an absolute clinic from Luke Donald‘s men. Winning an away Ryder Cup had become one of the most daunting challenges at the elite level. But Europe have made things look unbelievably easy this week.
Of course, there is some work still to be done. But speaking on McGinley & Chamblee, Brandel Chamblee suggested that it was every bit as impressive as perhaps the greatest performance in the game’s history.
“What we saw today was the absolute finest performance I have ever seen from a team,” he said. “I actually think this European team performance is the equivalent of what Tiger Woods did in 2000 individually at the US Open.
“Tiger Woods was -12 and Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez were at +3. Would you say that they played poorly that week? You would not. They played great. But we saw something that was unprecedented.
“What we saw yesterday and what we saw today is unprecedented. Not only do they have the largest lead ever, they are doing it on foreign soil.
“What they did yesterday was dominate. The United States came back today with a foursomes performance that was equal to what Europe did yesterday and it was the best foursomes performance I have ever seen from any team ever and then Europe upped their game even more than they did.
“Europe was 16 under par in the foursomes. I have never heard of that, never seen that. USA were 16 under par in the foursomes this morning, it was just Europe was 24 under. In the afternoon in best ball Europe was 34 under, USA was 31 under.
“I know they feel bad but they played their hearts out today. What we saw was an absolute inspired team of Europe.”
Europe shattered the American dream created at Whistling Straits
Europe have given themselves a phenomenal chance of setting a new record for the largest win since 1979.
Should they win eight of the 12 singles matches, they will eclipse the USA’s margin of victory at Whistling Straits in 2021.
Many expected that win in Wisconsin to mark the start of a spell of dominance for the Americans.
Europe were superb in 2023. But they have truly shattered those American dreams this week in New York.
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