The United States jumped out to an early lead at the Ryder Cup on Friday morning, solidifying its position as the clear favorite to lift the trophy on Sunday.
While Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia scored the first point of the day, the other three matches all went to the Americans, giving Team USA a 3-1 lead after the first foursomes session.
Americans dominate first Ryder Cup session
Even the Garcia/Rahm victory featured a memorable Ryder Cup moment for the United States, as Jordan Spieth hit a seemingly impossible shot to briefly keep American hopes alive before the Europeans ultimately won the match 3 and 1.
DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?! 🤯@JordanSpieth // @RyderCupUSA
📺 Watch now on GOLF and @peacockTV
💻 https://t.co/FGvI8M8F19 pic.twitter.com/wHxO9XuSKr— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 24, 2021
That would be the only win for Team Europe on the session, however. Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa defeated Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland 3 and 2. Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger held off Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick for a 2 and 1 win. Then, finally, Patrik Cantlay and Xander Schauffele had their way with Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, scoring a 5 and 3 victory.
The results left the United States as the -410 favorite to win the Ryder Cup, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Europe drifted to +470 to win. A tie, which would allow the Europeans to retain the trophy, is at +1300.
In the afternoon, both captains mixed things up for the fourball matches. All 12 players on each team will now have played on Friday, and neither side repeated a single pairing from the morning foursomes, a first in Ryder Cup history.
| Ryder Cup Odds – Friday Fourball (via DraftKings Sportsbook) | |
| United States | Europe |
| Johnson/Schauffele: -180 | Casey/Wiesberger: +155 |
| DeChambeau/Scheffler: -105 | Rahm/Hatton: -115 |
| Finau/English: -110 | McIlroy/Lowry: -110 |
| Thomas/Cantlay: -150 | Fleetwood/Hovland: +130 |
FanDuel rates the United States as a +110 pick to win the afternoon fourballs session, with Europe at +200 to claw back at the Americans, and +260 odds on a 2-2 tie.
