Friday Foursomes Bring Mixed Fortunes for Europe
The Ryder Cup event in New York is underway at Bethpage Black, and Ludvig Åberg’s weekend hit a rocky start. Paired with Matt Fitzpatrick, the Swedish star faced a strong American challenge from Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young. After a Friday that had shown Europe dominating elsewhere, Åberg and Fitzpatrick found the going tougher this time, with the Americans turning a tight start into a comfortable lead as the day wore on. By the time their foursome ended, the match had swung decisively in the U.S. favor, and the Europeans were left regrouping after a disappointing setback for one of their key youngsters.
Åberg’s Challenge on a Boiling Bethpage
Before the round, Åberg had impressed teammates and observers with his pace and accuracy, but on this occasion the performance slipped in the most scrutinized format of the Ryder Cup. DeChambeau and Young captured momentum between the sixteenth hole and the end, and Åberg’s ball striking and iron play did not click as it had earlier in the week. After a promising start, the Swedish star found himself three holes behind heading into the late stages, and the deficit proved too large to erase. The swing left Åberg and Fitzpatrick scrambling for answers as the U.S. duo pressed home their advantage.
Åberg’s coach, Hans Larsson, noted that the golfer was “probably fine with the way he’s hitting the ball,” but stressed the need to be closer to the pins and capitalize on opportunities. The message was clear: margins matter at the Ryder Cup, and accuracy around the greens often decides a match. The day finished with the Americans winning by four holes, a result that underscored the challenge still facing Europe’s lineup as the event shifts toward Sunday.
Europe Still Commanding Other Matches
While Åberg and Fitzpatrick endured a stumble, Europe’s other rubbers held up well. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood delivered dominant form against Collin Morikawa and Harris English, showcasing the firepower that has long fueled the European team. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton appeared poised to push their match toward a victory, and Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland also looked on track to add points for the continent. The results helped Europe extend its overall lead on Friday, moving the score to 5.5-2.5 in favor of the visitors, a strong position heading into the singles on Sunday.
What Comes Next: Singles Sunday
Sunday’s singles fixtures will determine the ultimate outcome of this Ryder Cup, with Europe aiming to convert its early lead into a decisive win. Åberg remains a central figure for the European team, and his coach’s comments suggested that the youngster would be hungry to rebound and display the form that has excited fans and peers this season—provided he gets another opportunity to compete on Sunday. The mood in the European camp is one of cautious optimism: if the squad can sustain its meticulous ball-striking and convert more chances, the momentum could tilt decisively in their favor as the day unfolds.
