DeChambeau

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Europe painted Bethpage Black in blue scores Saturday with exquisite golf that demolished and disheartened the Americans, and proved to be the best response to a New York Ryder Cup crowd that was so hostile extra security was brought in to keep it from getting worse.

When a long, loud and obnoxious day ended, Europe set a record for the largest lead going into Sunday singles under the format that dates to 1979: Europe 11½, USA 4½.

“I didn’t imagine this,” European captain Luke Donald said. “Every time the Americans came at us, we came back. The resiliency and confidence they have is really, truly incredible.”

Rory McIlroy caught the brunt of verbal abuse and at one point turned to the spectators and said, “Shut the (expletive) up.” And then he stuffed his shot to five feet for birdie that closed out the foursomes match for another blue point.

It was like that all day. The louder the crowd, the better Europe played. And barring the greatest comeback — or collapse — in Ryder Cup history, the Europeans will be heading back across the Atlantic Ocean with that precious gold trophy.

“I’m seeing what looks like to be historical putting. They’re making everything,” U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said. “They’re a great team. They’re great players. They’re a tough team to beat.”

The previous record after the four sessions of team play was 11-5. No team has rallied from more than a four-point deficit on the last day. Europe needs to win only three of the 12 singles matches for the outright win.

Scottie Scheffler also made it into the Ryder Cup record book. The world’s No. 1 player is the first to go 0-4 under the current format.

Nothing summed up the week for the Americans quite like the 10th hole in fourballs. Tommy Fleetwood hit a wedge about two feet under the hole. Scheffler followed with a shot that hit the hole and the base of the pin, then caromed into the rough.

But it was far more than one shot. Europe holed putts everywhere, often getting shouted at by the spectators as they lined up the shots. Nothing stopped them.

The Americans had a lead in only three of the 70 holes played in fourballs Saturday afternoon. U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun hit it tight on the 17th and 18th for birdies as he and fellow San Diego State alum Xander Schauffele squeezed out one of only two U.S. points on the day.

The other belonged to Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young in the opening foursomes match.

The New York fans didn’t turn on the Americans for their performance. They cranked up the noise against Europe, shouting at them in the moments before — but not during — their shots, booing at every turn.

“Look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me,” McIlroy said. “That’s totally fine. Give us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have.”

New York State police spokesman Beau Duffy said two fans were ejected. The PGA of America said it added security to the McIlroy match and the other three. It also posted a message on the large video boards on “Spectator Etiquette.”

“Attendees consuming alcohol should do so in a responsible manner. Overly intoxicated attendees will be removed from the premises.”

Fans booed when the message was displayed.

McIlroy ultimately got the last laugh. He has won all four of his matches and can become the first European to go 5-0 on the road.

Whatever chances the Americans had might have ended on the final hole of the final match. Patrick Cantlay holed a few more big putts to keep them in the game, and a win on the 18th hole would have cut the deficit to five points.

Matt Fitzpatrick hit out of a bunker to two feet. Tyrrell Hatton, a last-minute sub for Viktor Hovland and his sore neck, hit wedge that nicked his teammate’s ball. It was another example of Europe’s superior play.

Cantlay’s shot spun back against the thick collar of the rough, and Sam Burns could only manage a shot to about 20 feet. Both missed. The throaty cheers of “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole” returned, and the few American fans who stuck around that long were on their way home.

It got a little testy inside the ropes, too.

Fleetwood and Rose had a three-up lead on the 15th over Scheffler and DeChambeau. Rose was first to putt from about 15 feet. But he felt DeChambeau’s caddie was in his space as he was lining up his putt and he told him so.

Rose made the putt, and DeChambeau matched him from 12 feet. DeChambeau barked at them going to the 16th tee and soon the caddies were involved.

There was warm handshakes a hole later when Europe won.

“I didn’t feel like that space was being honored,” Rose said. “I made my feelings known — asked him to move, maybe not as politely as I could have done, but in the scenario, it’s coming down the stretch. We both have a lot on our minds and it’s intense out there.

“I said to them, ‘If I should have done it a different way, I apologize.’ But other than that, I had to step up and hit a huge putt with a lot going on.”

Bradley was asked what message he would give to his team to keep hopes alive, and the New England native pointed to the Patriots’ stunning comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.

“Twenty-eight to three. I was at that Super Bowl,” Bradley said. “I watched it. What a cool thing to have witnessed live in person.”

The way this Ryder Cup has played out, 11½ to 4 ½ feels much bigger.

Ferguson writes for the Associated Press.

Making a concerted effort to join team bonding events has seemingly helped get him back on side, with US captain Keegan Bradley also pointing to DeChambeau’s “X-Factor ability” and “fiery” energy as further redeeming qualities.

“This is a tough thing for him, to come into guys that he doesn’t see every day,” said Bradley.

“But he’s done an exceptional job of making the extra effort – flying to Napa, flying to Atlanta – doing things that are really difficult with the schedule he has.

“He’s made every effort possible and been incredible in the team room.”

When the Americans were humbled by the Europeans two years ago, DeChambeau was even further on the periphery than he was at Whistling Straits.

The controversial switch to LIV Golf meant he was not eligible to earn qualification points for the Rome clash.

Then-US captain Zach Johnson did not deem him worthy of a wildcard – nor even a phone call relaying the news.

Harbouring an inescapable feeling of being ruthlessly snubbed, DeChambeau set about getting back on the team for Bethpage.

“It sucked. I wanted to be there,” DeChambeau said on Thursday.

“Seeing the guys lose really put a fire in my stomach. I wanted to make the team this time around.”

The same complications remained, though.

As a LIV golfer, DeChambeau could only earn points during the eight major championships over the two-year qualification process.

Demonstrating his insatiable appetite for the big stage, he earned six top-10 finishes – including victory at the 2024 US Open – to claim one of the half a dozen automatic spots.

However criticism about his suitability for the team environment has continued in the run-up to Bethpage.

Brandel Chamblee, a former American player and prominent commentator, still believes DeChambeau is an individualist and described him as a “captain’s nightmare”

“No doubt he is one hell of a golfer,” Chamblee said on the Golf Channel. “But he’s an odd duck when he’s trying to blend in with the team.”

Bryson DeChambeau, Russell Henley and Harris English have secured the final three automatic qualifying places on the US Ryder Cup team.

They join world number one Scottie Scheffler, US Open champion JJ Spaun and Xander Schauffele on captain Keegan Bradley’s team for next month’s contest against Europe at Bethpage, New York.

The six American qualifiers were confirmed following the conclusion of the last qualifying event, the BMW Championship, which was won by reigning US PGA Championship and Open champion Scheffler.

DeChambeau, who plays on the LIV Golf circuit, qualified thanks to three top-10 finishes in the majors this year.

Bradley will announce his six captain’s picks to complete the 12-man team on 27 August.

There is a chance that Bradley, 39, could pick himself to play after he finished in a tie for 17th at the BMW Championship, to cement 10th place in the US Ryder Cup standings.

Arnold Palmer was the Ryder Cup’s last playing captain, when he led the US team, aged 34, in 1963.

Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa were among those to miss out on automatic qualification for the US team.

Ben Griffin, Maverick McNealy and Andrew Novak are the other three Americans in the top-12, but none have appeared at a Ryder Cup before and Bradley may opt for the experience of Patrick Cantlay, who is 15th on the list but has picked up 5½ points in two previous appearances.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre finished second to Scheffler in Maryland despite leading by four shots going into the final day.

But that was enough to see him join Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood in qualifying for the European team.

The other three automatic slots are currently filled by Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry with the standings finalised after this week’s British Masters at the Belfry.

Captain Luke Donald will make his picks for the six other places on 1 September.

One player who maybe in contention is former Masters champion Jon Rahm, who was crowned LIV Golf individual champion for the second consecutive year despite not winning an event.

LIV golfers can only qualify through ranking points earned through the four majors and Rahm is currently 23rd in the European rankings.

Europe will be aiming to defend their title when at the event from 26-28 September.

McIlroy became just the sixth player to win all four majors with his triumph at Augusta National – a result that has had Scheffler purring.

“It was really cool to see Rory finish that off and to be there for that moment,” said the two-time Masters champion.

“He’s a good buddy of mine out here, so I was happy for him.

“It takes a lifetime of work to be able to even have a chance to win major championships, let alone win all four of them.”

Thomas, twice a US PGA winner – including at Quail Hollow in 2017 – said McIlroy’s victory was like a wake-up call.

“I knew I always wanted to win the Grand Slam, but for some reason, watching somebody do it first-hand, reminded me I really do want to do that,” he said.

“It’s weird. Any time someone wins that isn’t me, if it’s a friend, I’m happy for them. But there’s always going to be a part of me that’s jealous and wishes it was me.”

Spieth arrives this week in search of the only title missing from his majors resume. The 31-year-old Texan was the last player to win the first two of the year when he collected the Masters and US Open titles in 2015. He followed that with victory at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 Open Championship.

But in eight previous attempts, he has been unable to complete the career Slam.

“Watching Rory win after giving it a try for a number of years was inspiring,” he said.

“You could tell it was a harder win; most of the time he makes it look a lot easier.

“I’d love to throw my hat in the ring and give it a chance come the weekend.”

Another American keen to add to his major tally of two this week is DeChambeau.

The 31-year-old is enjoying a good run in the majors, having finished runner-up to Schauffele in last year’s US PGA before pipping McIlroy to the following month’s US Open title.

The pair were in the final Masters group at Augusta last month, and although DeChambeau faded out of contention, he is keen to “have another go at it” with McIlroy.

“It’s a golf course that sets up for his shot shapes pretty well, and it sets up well for mine, too,” he added.

“Maybe I do well, maybe I don’t. But I’m certainly going to give it my all, and I know Rory is too.”

And the statistics suggest that if you finish above McIlroy on Sunday evening, you will likely be heading home with the Wanamaker Trophy.