FARMINGDALE, N.Y. -- The opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black sure felt like the one in Rome two years ago.

The Europeans blitzed the Americans in the first two sessions at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in 2023, and they did it again Friday in grabbing a 5.5-2.5 lead.

Riding the hot hands of Jon Rahm , Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood , the Europeans are in position to capture the Ryder Cup for the 11th time in the past 15 matches -- and they'll be looking to end the home team's five-match winning streak as well.

The Europeans haven't won on U.S. soil since their 14.5-13.5 victory at Medinah Country Club in Illinois in 2012.

They need to take only 8.5 of the final 20 points available over the next two days to do it again.

What stood out on Day 1?

Paolo Uggetti

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