Rahm and Hatton defeat the American powerhouse duo in a major European victory at the Ryder Cup

FARMINGDALE, NY (AP) — Everyone was eager to see the first shot, but it was the last one that really told the story. Justin Thomas needed to sink a 5-foot putt on the 15th hole to keep alive the biggest contest of the Ryder Cup Friday morning. However, that putt, like many others, fell short. Shoulders slumped, Thomas walked over to shake hands with Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton after Europe’s 4-and-3 victory over the American powerhouse pair of Thomas and Bryson DeChambeau.

A confrontation that was expected to generate momentum did so, but in favor of Europe.

“It’s not exactly what we wanted,” commented U.S. captain Keegan Bradley, summing up a morning that left the U.S. with a 3-1 deficit on their own home field heading into the afternoon. It all started with high expectations. With the sun still rising over Long Island, DeChambeau and Thomas arrived at the first tee with an American flag draped over their shoulders. DeChambeau took out his driver and, just as he had been practicing all week, hit a shot that sailed over the trees on the right, trying to reach the green.

It was the shot the American fans had been waiting to see, the one captain Bradley hoped would propel his team to victory at home. The ball landed in the fairway, about 40 yards from the green. A few minutes later, DeChambeau holed a 10-foot birdie to go 1 up.

Bradley couldn't have planned it better, though he probably didn't imagine it would be the only hole his team would win all round. The loss wasn't marked by great drives, but by putters that didn't work. The U.S. missed seven putts from 15 feet or less, any of which would have won or tied holes. Europe, on the other hand, capitalized on the mistakes and took advantage of them. The best image of the day was Hatton in a plank position in the seventh rough, assessing Rahm's errant drive that was uncomfortably behind a club.

Hatton measured it and managed to get the ball onto the green from that difficult position, and Europe made par. Thomas missed a 7-foot putt to tie it, and the U.S.'s 1-up lead was gone.

“It was a bit of a shot of hope,” Hatton described his approach on the 7th hole. “Fortunately, it was straight. I was happy to have a clean line and see that the club wouldn’t affect the shot.” A fan shouted “Go Europe” after that hole, a cry that was briefly drowned out by boos from a still-hopeful American crowd. One hole later, Rahm sank a 12-foot putt to give Europe the lead for good. Most of the rest of this matchup was played in near silence on what is arguably one of the loudest golf courses in the U.S., Bethpage Black.

An exception occurred on the 12th hole, when Hatton lined up for a putt but paused to swat away a mosquito. The fans booed him. Hatton then lined up again and sank a 20-foot putt to put Europe 3 up.

Rahm improved his record to 5-0 in Ryder Cup foursomes. The Rahm-Hatton duo now has a 3-0-1 record. Rahm admitted that the start was a bit intimidating, with all the shouting and DeChambeau hitting a perfect shot under pressure. “We just stayed in the game and started hitting good shots and getting good vibes,” he said. “Tyrell is very, very reliable when things get tough. I have complete confidence in him every time.”