Not even President Donald Trump could make the United States golf team great again but his appearance at Friday’s opening day of the 45th Ryder Cup added fuel to the electric atmosphere around the first tee at Bethpage Black.

Europe seized a 5.5-2.5 lead after morning foursomes and afternoon four-ball matches, with American stars Bryson DeChambeau and world number one Scottie Scheffler each losing twice.

Europe started 3-0 on US soil for the first time, prompting Trump to tell reporters as he boarded a plane to New York that he had to get there and help the team.

He arrived for the four-ball matches and there was marginal improvement, Europe only going 2-1-1 in the afternoon versus 3-1 in the morning, but it was far from the “feeling things are going to turn” US captain Keegan Bradley p

See Full Page