Ryder Cup: Europe take commanding lead into final day as tensions boil over at Bethpage Black

Europe's Justin Rose reacts after making a birdie on the 15th hole during the Saturday afternoon four-balls matches at the Bethpage State Park Golf Course. Photo / Getty Images

The Europe golf team battled through a torrent of insults from a raucous crowd to grab a record seven-point lead over the United States and move to the brink of retaining the Ryder Cup with a dominant display at Bethpage Black.

The reigning champions won both the foursomes and four-ball sessions 3-1 to seize a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead, despite an intense atmosphere with over-the-top remarks causing Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy to swear at hecklers who disturbed him multiple times while trying to make putts.

Europe need only two wins and a draw from the 12 concluding singles matches to retain the Ryder Cup.

The Americans must produce the greatest last-day comeback in Ryder Cup history to reclaim the trophy, needing 14.5 points.

“We got beat today but I’m really proud of how we fought,” US captain Keegan Bradley said.

The largest previous lead entering singles in the current format was 11-5 by the Americans in 2021 and Europe in 2004.

Extra police were needed with the rowdy atmosphere and even US players tried to quiet the fans, but nothing could deny McIlroy, who joined England’s Tommy Fleetwood in staying unbeaten.

“You need your superstars to perform at their highest,” Europe captain Luke Donald said.

“And they certainly have showed that so far.”

McIlroy and Irish pal Shane Lowry beat Americans Cam Young and Justin Thomas 2-up in four-balls, calling the win “hugely satisfying” and adding: “I’m drained, to say the least.”

Asked if the crowd went too far, McIlroy replied: “When you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really challenging. It’s not for me to say.

”People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through."

Lowry, who took plenty of taunts of his own, had never faced anything like it.

“It was intense. It was like something I’ve never experienced,” he said. “But this is what I live for. This is it. This is the reason I get up in the morning, for stuff like this.”

Tensions also boiled over elsewhere, as England’s Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood beat Americans Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau 3&2 after a spat between Rose and DeChambeau’s caddie Greg Bodine.

“I was ready to hit my putt. I didn’t feel like that space was being honoured,” Rose said. “I may be made my feelings known. Asked him to move. Maybe not as politely as I could have done.

”From my point of view, it was something taken in a way that wasn’t intended. I was trying to control my environment in that moment.“

Top-ranked Scheffler became the first American to start 0-4 in Cup play.

Seeking the first road victory in the rivalry since their 2012 “Miracle at Medinah”, the Europeans unleashed clutch putting and impressive shot-making to frustrate the loud and rowdy American supporters.

US Open winner J.J. Spaun birdied the last two holes to join Xander Schauffele in a four-ball win over Sepp Straka and Jon Rahm, who had been unbeaten this week and had not lost a Cup pairs match since 2018.

“They are playing unbelievable golf,” Schauffele said of Europe.

“They’re making a lot of birdies and we’re not. They’re beating us flat out.”

Tyrrell Hatton, a late replacement for injured Viktor Hovland, birdied the last hole to join Matt Fitzpatrick in a 1-up win over Americans Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay.