Young Americans put Europe in its biggest early hole at Ryder Cup

AP photo by Jeff Roberson / Baylor School graduate Harris English hits to the fifth green at Whistling Straits during a fourballs match at the Ryder Cup on Friday in Sheboygan, Wis. English and partner Tony Finau helped the U.S. team lead Europe 6-2 after the first day of competition by winning their match against Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, 4 and 3. AP photo by Jeff Roberson / Baylor School graduate Harris English hits to the fifth green at Whistling Straits during a fourballs match at the Ryder Cup on Friday in Sheboygan, Wis. English and partner Tony Finau helped the U.S. team lead Europe 6-2 after the first day of competition by winning their match against Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy, 4 and 3.

By DOUG FERGUSON / The Associated Press September 24, 2021 6 min read

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – The Americans haven’t opened with a lead this large in the Ryder Cup since Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino were playing, and before Tiger Woods was even born.

That didn’t seem to be big enough to satisfy U.S. captain Steve Stricker.

Dustin Johnson and Xander Schauffele each won two matches, Bryson DeChambeau smashed a drive that had everyone talking and the United States was relentless Friday at Whistling Straits in losing only one match to build a 6-2 lead.

“It’s a great start. We are happy with the start,” Stricker said. “But my message to the guys is tomorrow is a new day. Pretend today never happened, and let’s keep our foot down and continue to play the golf that we know we can play.”

Oh, how Europe would like to forget this day ever happened.