Ryder Cup: Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy partnership continues to deliver for Europe

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — There were no animated fist bumps or celebrations after Tommy Fleetwood’s putt rolled in on hole No. 14 to earn a point for Europe during Friday’s morning foursomes session at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course. The match result had not been in doubt for several hours after the pair of Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy went 3-up on the fifth hole and never looked back.

Bethpage Black’s anticipated roar was quieted with the Europeans taking three out of the four matches heading into the afternoon four-balls session. Fleetwood and McIlroy took care of Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5 & 4, which, according to Justin Ray, is the largest margin of victory in foursomes for an away pairing since Lee Westwood and Darren Clarke defeated Chris DiMarco and Jay Haas at the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills Country Club.

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It was another example of the working partnership between Fleetwood and McIlroy, who are now 3-0 over the past two Ryder Cups together in foursomes.

“I think when you've got a partner like Tommy you can play with so much freedom and so much trust in your game because you know you have someone that's going to back you up,” McIlroy said afterward. “That's the way I felt the two times we played in Rome and then today; foursomes can be a tough format. You can play a little tentative with the way the format is but again, knowing I have this man beside me, to bail me out if I do hit a bad shot, that's very comforting to know."

The Americans had one opportunity to make it a match on the fourth hole. But the recurring theme was Europe rebounding from mistakes and the U.S. not taking advantage of opportunities, and in some cases, compounding their own errors.

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On the fourth hole, McIlroy plugged the second shot in the bunker just in front of the green. That left Fleetwood hoping for the best in a tough spot, but he would chip out to seven feet from the hole.

The Americans, meanwhile, were unable to get out of their own created trouble. Morikawa’s tee shot put English in the rough to the right of the fairway. On his shot, English tried to stay right of the bunker where Europe’s ball was plugged, but it strayed further right than desired leaving Morikawa off the green 74 feet away.

Morikawa set up English with a birdie opportunity, but his putt skimmed the left side of the cup, opening the door for McIlroy to take the hole.

Four holes later, the European lead would be 5-up and they would remain in control through the 14th. But in another sign of an opportunity given, then lost for the Americans, McIlroy missed a putt to allow English to extend the match — with the U.S. needing to win out to halve a point. But English pushed another putt wide and it was time for handshakes.

It was a forgettable session for the U.S. with Europe winning the first three matches of an away Ryder Cup for the first time ever and also doing so by at least four holes. Also not in their favor is the fact that no team has overcome a 3-1 or worse opening session to win the event since Europe in 2018, and it's only been done five times.

As Europe looked to build on its lead, Fleetwood (Justin Rose) and McIlroy (Shane Lowry) were split up for afternoon four-balls. Saturday could potentially be a decisive day and Europe captain Luke Donald will likely look to run out "Fleetwood Mac" one more time.

For now, Fleetwood isn't looking too far ahead knowing there's lots of golf remaining.

“There's a lot of things fueling that belief,” said Fleetwood, who now has an overall Ryder Cup record of 8-3-2 in his career. "I think as a team there's a lot of continuity there. But yeah, we have a lot of motivation. We have a lot of belief and we know what we're playing for. But one step at a time. 

"I think we're all enjoying the process of this Ryder Cup so much, and we've all been so excited to play, even knowing how difficult it might be. But like I say, one step at a time and we'll just keep going all together and we'll see where we can get to."