Europe shines early and late to build 5-point lead after Day 1 at Ryder Cup

It took about two hours Friday morning for the Europeans to remind everyone why the Americans haven't won a Ryder Cup away from home since 1993.

The hosts roared out of the gates in foursomes play, building significant leads in the opening three matches and coasting home. The final damage was a clean 4-0 sweep to give the Europeans their first lead after the Ryder Cup's opening session since 2006.

The Americans fared significantly better in their preferred method of four-ball in the afternoon session but still face a 6.5-1.5 deficit heading to Day 2 at Marco Simone.

Afternoon four-ball session

Hovland/Hatton tie Spieth/Thomas

An absolute banger of an opening match in foursomes resulted in the first 18th hole. Captain Zach Johnson's decision to sit the incredibly accomplished team of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the morning looked to be a poor one, as the duo went 7-under through the first 13 holes to build a 2-up lead. With Spieth struggling down the stretch, it essentially became Thomas versus Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton - a tall task for anyone on the American team. The Europeans claimed wins at holes 14 and 16 to square the match, setting the stage for a showdown on the final hole. Thomas once again flashed his all-world short game with an excellent pitch for a tap-in birdie that looked to be the match-winner. However, Hovland had different plans, canning a 26-footer for birdie in dramatic fashion to secure the half point.

Rahm/Hojgaard tie Scheffler/Koepka

Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler have spent much of the last 12 months fighting over the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings. They showed why with some outrageous shotmaking down the stretch at Marco Simone. First, Rahm pitched in for eagle - his third hole-out from off the green of the day - on the 16th hole to level the match. Scheffler followed that up by coming inches from an ace on No. 17 to restore the 1-up lead heading to 18. Rahm saved his best for last by pouring in his second eagle in three holes to secure the half point for Europe.

Rose/MacIntyre tie Homa/Clark

Match 3 featured three Ryder Cup rookies against one of the most experienced players in the event in Justin Rose. It was Wyndham Clark who shone brightest the majority of the day, as the U.S. Open champion provided five hole-winning birdies. However, the Americans limped to the finish line and allowed the Europeans back in the match heading to the 18th hole. Rose - the oldest player in the event - showed his mettle with a stone-cold birdie putt to secure the half point for the Europeans and keep the Americans winless through eight matches.

McIlroy/Fitzpatrick won 5&3 over Morikawa/Schauffele

Matthew Fitzpatrick entered with an incredibly dubious 0-5-0 record in his Ryder Cup career. The Englishman didn't really give the American duo of Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele much of a chance to make that six losses. Fitzpatrick absolutely blitzed the opening nine at Marco Simone. The 2022 U.S. Open champ went 6-under through six holes en route to a blazing 11-under through 15 to win the match 5&3. That victory secured Fitzpatrick's first-ever Ryder Cup point and made Rory McIlroy the only player to win two matches on Day 1.

Morning foursomes session

Rahm/Hatton win 4&3 over Scheffler/Burns

The most spirited European pairing Friday morning had plenty to cheer about as Rahm and Hatton went nuclear on Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. The duo played brilliantly en route to a sizzling 6-under score through 15 holes. That was enough to see Scheffler and Sam Burns off with a dominant 4&3 victory in the opening match. Burns, a slightly controversial captain's pick, struggled with his swing throughout the round and will head to the bench for the afternoon session.

Hovland/Aberg win 4&3 over Homa/Harman

Ludvig Aberg carried his own bag in collegiate events just five months ago, and now he's playing dominant golf to help secure a point in the Ryder Cup. The young Swede lived up to the hype and then some with an exceptional debut alongside Hovland in a 4&3 victory over Max Homa and Brian Harman. Hovland got the crowd roaring early in the match with a perfect pitch for a birdie to win the opening hole.

Aberg took that momentum into the next hole to help give Europe a 2-up lead that they stretched to four before closing things out halfway through the back nine.

Straka/Lowry 2&1 over Morikawa/Fowler

Perhaps the most puzzling American pairing of the session was Morikawa and Rickie Fowler in the third match. The duo got off to a dreadful start Friday with a 3-over score through the opening nine holes. It didn't help that the new pairing of Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka vibed early with four birdies over that stretch. The Americans charged late to take the match to the 17th, but Europe gained the point after Fowler's bunker shot rolled past the hole. Fowler came to Italy as the only player on the American team with a losing Ryder Cup record, which dropped to 3-8-5 following the loss.

McIlroy/Fleetwood 2&1 over Cantlay/Schauffele

Even the mighty American duo of Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay couldn't stop the European run Friday morning. The anchor match with McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood was the closest of the session, but the Europeans scrambled brilliantly down the stretch to secure the point. Fleetwood's 20-foot par putt on the 15th while the Americans three-putted from 23 feet virtually ended any comeback chances. McIlroy supplied the final dagger with a majestic iron shot that landed a foot from the hole on the par-3 17th to close the match.