Golf fans have waited two years for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, and the first day certainly delivered.
European fans will be far more pleased than the Americans, but both sets of supporters can say they saw some amazing play.
However, several players struggled at Bethpage Black despite the playing conditions being more favorable than usual.
The Golfing Gazette looks at the five best and worst players from the opening day at the Ryder Cup based on strokes gained statistics.
Five best players on Ryder Cup day one
Matt Fitzpatrick only featured in one match on Friday, but he played the best golf of all 24 players at Bethpage Black.
He gained 4.20 strokes on the field, led by his exceptional putting (+1.35) and approach play (+2.54) alongside Ludvig Aberg.
| Putting | Around the Green | Approach | Off the Tee | Total | |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | +1.35 | +0.42 | +2.54 | -0.10 | +4.20 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | +0.15 | +1.02 | +2.89 | -0.38 | +3.69 |
| Rory McIlroy | +1.10 | +0.21 | +2.07 | +0.15 | +3.54 |
| Cameron Young | +0.78 | -0.57 | +2.56 | +0.74 | +3.50 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +1.01 | +0.90 | -1.02 | +1.16 | +2.05 |
Fellow Europeans Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy, who won their foursomes match together, were the two next best players.
Americans Cameron Young and Bryson DeChambeau were the two standouts on a disappointing start for the United States.
Five worst players on Ryder Cup day one
It’s no surprise that the three worst players at the Ryder Cup, according to strokes gained statistics, were on the US team.
Sam Burns (-3.33), Ben Griffin (-2.74), and Harris English (-2.60) contributed towards a difficult day for Keegan Bradley’s side.
| Putting | Around the Green | Approach | Off the Tee | Total | |
| Sam Burns | -1.68 | +0.39 | -1.44 | -0.62 | -3.33 |
| Ben Griffin | -0.86 | +2.06 | -2.93 | -1.01 | -2.74 |
| Harris English | -1.52 | -0.48 | -0.61 | +0.01 | -2.60 |
| Shane Lowry | -0.14 | -0.83 | -0.52 | -0.98 | -2.47 |
| Rasmus Hojgaard | -1.08 | -1.45 | -0.69 | +1.16 | -2.06 |
However, two European players (Shane Lowry and Rasmus Hojgaard) also featured in the bottom five on Friday.
McIlroy carried Lowry in their halved match, while Hojgaard failed to stop his and Aberg’s heavy defeat to Cameron Young and Justin Thomas.
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