Day 2 underway: live updates from Bethpage Black
Day 2 of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black has delivered the drama fans crave, with the United States looking to erase a Friday deficit as Europe presses the attack in the morning foursomes. Early pressure swung toward the European side, but the U.S. is showing signs of a grind-back, tightening several matches as the morning session unfolds. The atmosphere is electric, with players, caddies, and spectators weaving through a tense rhythm of birdies, bold putts, and pivotal approach shots.
Morning momentum and standout moments
Schauffele-Cantlay vs Rahm-Hatton: US fights back to square
One of the pivotal American duos, Schauffele and Cantlay, found their footing after a shaky start and have tied their match with Europe’s Rahm and Hatton. Cantlay’s long par putt on the 7th pressured Hatton and helped swing the momentum back toward the U.S., despite Schauffele’s hiccup with a bunker shot earlier in the hole. The rally showcases the Americans’ resilience and the potential for a late-morning surge as the back nine approaches.
Fleetwood-McIlroy vs Morikawa-English: Europe extends the edge
Europe’s most proven foursomes combination—Fleetwood and McIlroy—have pulled ahead in their match against Morikawa and English, with Fleetwood drilling another long putt to push the European lead further. The U.S. pairing was thrust into the briar of a tough morning, and Bradley’s decision to re-pair Morikawa-English has yet to yield positive returns in the scoreline, as Europe stretches its early advantage in this pairing. The momentum in this match mirrors Europe’s strong start across several ties, underscoring the challenge the Americans face to mount a comeback in the early going.
Cameron Young & DeChambeau vs Åberg & Fitzpatrick: US strike back
On the U.S. side, Cameron Young has been the spark plug, opening with a precise wedge to a couple of inches from the pin and later chipping in to set up an early one-up lead. DeChambeau and Young have begun to apply pressure, and their opponents, Ludvig Åberg and Matt Fitzpatrick, have shown they won’t yield easily. The early success of Young’s approach shots is a reminder that the Americans still have firepower in the morning and can flip momentum with a timely birdie or two.
Other early notes: spreads and shifts on the board
As the morning progresses, accents of red are creeping back into the leaderboard. Morikawa-English delivered greetings of relief by claiming their first lead of the day, and Rory McIlroy’s group remained a constant source of pressure for the U.S. while Europe’s other duo, Rahm-Hatton, stayed in touch as they try to widen their cushion. The unfolding drama on the front nine is shaping a narrative where a handful of matches could swing the overall result before lunch.
Standings snapshot: where things stand and what it means
Through the early portions of Day 2, Europe leads in several matches and is tied in others, with the U.S. mounting a measured response in a few ties. The afternoon session will be critical for the Americans who need to convert a couple of wins to narrow the deficit and start shifting the balance in their favor. The most important takeaway is that momentum can shift quickly in Ryder Cup play, and a few holes of red on the scoreboard can herald a turning point for Team USA or Team Europe depending on who seizes the next birdie or par save.
What to watch in the afternoon session
Look for the Cantlay-Schauffele pairing to continue pressuring Rahm-Hatton, as the Americans try to keep the pressure on Europe’s most reliable unit. Fleetwood and McIlroy have shown a knack for closing holes with the putter, so Morikawa-English will need to respond when they face the strong European back nine. Cameron Young and DeChambeau’s early spark could be the catalyst that rekindles American confidence, while Fitzpatrick and Åberg will look to steady the ship and reclaim momentum after a rough stretch. The afternoon could redefine the matchups and set the tone for a thrilling race on Day 2.
The big picture: what this means as play continues
With Europe’s early advantage in several matches, the United States cannot afford a slow finish to the day. If the U.S. can convert a couple of the tight matches and keep others within reach, the day could swing dramatically in their favor. The Ryder Cup is famously a game of momentum, and Bethpage Black is a course that exposes holes quickly when teams heat up. Stay tuned for afternoon shifts as players chase points that could reshape the standings and set up a dramatic Sunday finish.
