Ryder Cup 2021 latest score: USA storm into 6-2 lead vs Europe after dominant first day

Team USA are in a dominant position heading into the second day of the Ryder Cup, leading 6-2 with Europe struggling to find any answers.

Before the Ryder Cup got underway on Friday, it was already an intimidating task ahead with eight of the world’s top 10 players representing Steve Stricker’s side.

Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia got the first point on the board for Europe with a dominant win over Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the opening foursomes match, but the tide quickly turned with USA winning the next three points.

And then the hosts continued their domination in the afternoon fourballs matches, winning two and drawing the last two.

Padraig Harrington’s men need a rapid start on Saturday if they are to stand any chance of clawing their way back into the Ryder Cup.

Mirror Sport will keep you updated with all the live scores from the 2021 Ryder Cup below…

LIVE SCORE: USA 6 – 2 EUROPE

Friday – Fourballs action

RESULT: Justin Thomas/Patrick Cantlay draw vs Tommy Fleetwood/Viktor Hovland

Europe have it all to do tomorrow after an impressive performance from the American’s, who take a 6-2 lead into the second day.

Europe battled back right at the very end, with Fleetwood and Hovland following up Hatton and Rahm’s draw with a half point of their own.

It is a welcome half point for Europe however following a tough day.

Hovland admitted he was slightly disappointed not to have had a better day, but cherished every minute of it.

He said afterwards: “It was unreal. I would have liked to have put more points on the board, but I don’t think it’s possible to have more of a fun time.”

RESULT: Bryson DeChambeau/Scottie Scheffler draw vs Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton

Clutch moment right at the death from Hatton to earn a half point for Europe when they desperately needed a break.

The American’s had been leading this contest but Europe birdied two of the last three holes before Hatton delivered the goods right at the very end.

With America 1 up heading down the last, Hatton saw an inroad and produced a beautiful approach shot before rolling in a birdie to halve the match.

And Hatton was defiant in his post-match interview: “You are never out of the fight. That was obviously huge for the team and hopefully that can turn momentum our way. It is a good feeling to roll that one in on the last.”

“Rahm added: “It was a good battle, to birdie two of the last three, it feels good to earn a half point.

RESULT: Dustin Johnson/Xander Schauffele beat Paul Casey/Bernd Wiesberger 2&1

It’s going from bad to worse for Padraig Harrington’s men as Johnson and Schauffele record the American’s fifth straight point of the Ryder Cup to put them into a dominant 5-1 lead with two fourballs matches remaining.

Casey and Wiesberger put up a fight but it wasn’t to be, and the victory represents a brilliant day for rookie Schauffele – who dominated McIlroy and Poulter in the foursomes earlier in the day.

Schauffele clearly enjoyed it: “It was a difficult day with all sorts of conditions, but we are happy to finish up here. I had a lot of fun, it was a tough match but I am glad we won.”

Johnson, USA’s most experienced Ryder Cup player, added: “Xander is a great player, we play a lot of golf together. We played a really good match, and we had a lot of fun.”

RESULT: Tony Finau/Harris English beat Rory McIlroy/Shane Lowry 4&3

More red on the scoreboard as Finau and English brush aside rookie Lowry and McIlroy, who has endured a torrid day with two big defeats next to his name.

Finau, in particular, and English were in formidable form from the off and Europe were always facing an uphill battle in this one.

And Finau afterwards admitted he is relishing his second ever Ryder Cup.

“You just have to enjoy it, all these people cheering you on,” Finau said. “That’s the biggest thing, just enjoying it. I had a great partner in Harris, we picked each other up and we put a lot of pressure on them to make birdies. It is really fun to play alongside this guy.”

Worrying times for Europe right now.

Friday – Foursomes action

RESULT: Brooks Koepka/Daniel Berger beat Lee Westwood/Matt Fitzpatrick 2&1

And Koepka and Berger have put the icing on the cake in the Friday foursomes action for the US, seeing off Westwood and Fitzpatrick on the 17th hole at Whistling Straits.

It’s already looking like a tough ask for the Europeans this weekend, being two points behind at 3-1 heading into Friday’s fourballs action.

Berger commented on the win: “There were some key holes that could have gone either way, but we ended up winning them which was the difference.”

RESULT: Patrick Cantlay/Xander Schauffele beat Rory McIlroy/Ian Poulter 5&3

In what was the most impressive performance so far of the morning action, American rookies Cantlay and Schauffele demolished the experienced European duo of McIlroy and Poulter.

It was a nightmare start for Europe, having lost their first five holes before rallying together on the back nine.

However, the damage was already done and Cantlay and Schauffele finally saw the foursomes match out with ease.

Schauffele said afterwards: “It is an incredible feeling, it’s nice to share it with my good friend Patrick. There’s no one else I’d rather share it with.”

RESULT: Collin Morikawa/Dustin Johnson beat Paul Casey/Viktor Hovland 3&2

And just like that, the Americans draw level early on in the Ryder Cup with US rookie Morikawa and Johnson producing a statement display against Casey and European debutant Hovland.

This certainly won’t be the last we see together of Morikawa and Johnson, dispatching a very strong European duo.

The duo of Morikawa and Johnson recorded seven birdies, leaving the European pair with very little chance.

More American points are expected to follow very soon, with the third and fourth foursomes matches still to finish.

Following their win, Johnson said: “We both have similar games, and we matched well together and played well today.”

RESULT: Jon Rahm/Sergio Garcia beat Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth 3&1

Rahm and Garcia got the first points on the board for Team Europe in what is turning out into a difficult morning session at Whistling Straits.

World No 1 Rahm and Garcia were dominant throughout their match against close friends Thomas and Spieth – with the Spaniards not giving their rivals any lee-way in the opening foursomes match.

But red points are soon to follow, with the US up in all the other three foursomes matches.

Speaking after their win, Garcia said: “It felt great. It was amazing, Rahm made every putt he had to make. It was a good match, Jordan and Justin played very well, and we had to play very well to beat them.”

Rahm added: “That was the difference maker. We made a couple of good putts at important times, and momentum is key in match play.”