Rory McIlroy is fired up about Team Europe’s Ryder Cup lead.
The five-time major champion let out a throaty scream when he hit a birdie putt to win the sixth hole in he and Shane Lowry’s matchup against The U.S.’s Patrick Cantlay and Sam Burns.
In a rare show of emotion on the course, McIlroy fist-pumped and bumped chests with his teammate and friend Lowry.
Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy celebrates after making a birdie putt on the 6th hole during the four-balls. IMAGN IMAGES via ReutersA hole later, McIlroy and Lowry would go up 3-1 with a win at hole seven.
McIlory didn’t just use his voice to share his emotions on Friday, seemingly offering a one-fingered salute to the heavily American crowd at Bethpage on the 11th hole.
McIlroy’s day was already off to a strong start before his clutch birdie putt at the sixth hole.
Minutes after Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton closed out Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas to give Team Europe its first win, McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood beat Collin Morikawa and Harris English 5&3 to put them up 2-0 in the opening session.
Team Europe already had a sizable Ryder Cup lead before Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teed off on Friday afternoon at Bethpage Black. IMAGN IMAGES via ReutersEurope would make it 3-0 when Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick took down world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley 4&3, although the Americans escaped the morning tee times with a win when Cantlay and Xander Schauffele won the fourth and final foursomes match.
Team USA showed some life early in the afternoon groupings, but Team Europe stormed back, leading two matches to the U.S.’s one as of this writing.
Barring a Team Europe collapse, it appears Team USA will head into the weekend at a sizable deficit.
A Ryder Cup win would cap off an unbelievable year for McIlroy.
The Northern Ireland native finished top-10 eight times and won three events, including his first-ever Green Jacket at The Masters in April, in 2025.
