MEDINAH, Ill. – The Americans lead, 5-3, after the first two sessions of the 39th Ryder Cup.
A Day 1 lead hasn’t always translated to an eventual victory for the U.S. team, however.
Since 1979, the Americans has been ahead after the first two sessions five times. They managed to win only three of those occasions.
A quick history lesson:
In 2008, the last Ryder Cup on home soil, the Americans took a 5 ½ to 2 ½ lead after Day 1. They went on to win, 16 ½ to 11 ½.
In 1995, a 5-3 lead after Day 1 eventually turned into a 14 ½ to 13 ½ loss.
In 1991 – the War by the Shore – the U.S. had a slim advantage after the first two sessions, 4 ½ to 3 ½. After a dramatic final day, they won, 14 ½ to 13 ½.
In 1985, the Americans’ 4 ½ to 3 ½ lead later became a lopsided loss, 16 ½ to 11 ½.
And in 1979, the first year that Continental Europe was allowed to participate, the U.S. turned a 5 ½ to 2 ½ lead on Day 1 into an eventual 17-11 victory.