MATTHEW FITZPATRICK

The chances of an American golfer being crowned as European No. 1 for the first time were already strong heading into the Race to Dubai finale this week.

In the post-defeat dissection that’s sure to come for Europe's Ryder Cup team, certainly the disappearing act by Rory McIlroy will be one of the top talking points.

Europe closed out two matches in rapid succession, then the U.S. closed out another to give the Americans a 10-5 lead with one match left on the course Saturday.

Capsules from the opening day at Whistling Straits in the Ryder Cup.

Youth is being served for this U.S. team in the Ryder Cup.

The United States took a 6-2 lead for its largest opening-day advantage at the Ryder Cup since 1975.

No team in sports embraces the underdog label like Europe's Ryder Cup squads.

No team in sports embraces the underdog label like Europe's Ryder Cup squads.

The Ryder Cup will kick off Friday morning with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas taking on the latest version of the Spanish Armada, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Shane Lowry have been picked by European captain Padraig Harrington to fill out the team for the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

Billy Horschel became the second American after Arnold Palmer to win the BMW PGA Championship following a dramatic final round.

Not coincidentally, the big question heading into Round 1 was whether the century-old course would prove too tough even for the world’s best golfers. In five previous Opens played at Winged Foot, only two players have ever finished the tournament under par. We’ll find out whether, and how much, the USGA feels stung by the assault on par beginning with Round 2. And there’s plenty of spots left on those fast greens where a clown’s mouth would actually be a welcome distraction. “They certainly were looking to have the lowest scores (in the first round), given the conditions that we have as well.

Jon Rahm, of Spain, celebrates after the 18th hole to win the Memorial golf tournament, Sunday, July 19, 2020, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)DUBLIN, Ohio Jon Rahm won the Memorial to join Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No. Replay of Rahm's chip appeared to show the ball moved ever so slightly when he placed his lob wedge behind it. The chip was similar but from a different angle to Tiger Woods chipping in from behind the 16th green when he won the Memorial for the fifth time in 2012. Norlander and Hughes tied at 3-under 285, but the spot went to Hughes because he had the better world ranking.