- Hosts lead 6-2 after stellar display at Whistling Straits
- McIlroy to sit out Ryder Cup session for the first time
- USA’s margin after day one its best in continental era
Two defeats in as many Friday outings were sufficient to see Rory McIlroy left out of a Ryder Cup session for the first time in his career. McIlroy, who made his Ryder Cup debut in 2010 and has featured in 26 matches in succession, was the notable absentee as Pádraig Harrington named his European pairings for day two’s foursomes.
McIlroy and Ian Poulter lost 5&3 to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele in Friday’s foursomes. The Northern Irishman partnered Shane Lowry in the afternoon fourballs but the outcome was similar, this time a 4&3 loss to Tony Finau and Harris English. McIlroy looked out of sorts throughout, with Harrington therefore and unsurprisingly opting to keep him on the sidelines as Europe attempt to rein in a rampant United States team. The hosts lead 6-2 after two sessions.