Europe Leads Amid Ryder Cup Pay Controversy

The 45th Ryder Cup got under way at Bethpage Black in New York after organizers moved the opening ceremony up a day because of storm forecasts. Jon Rahm hit the opening tee shot amid boos as Europe began play, and Europe jumped to an early 3-1 lead in the opening foursomes. President Trump was expected to attend, and partisan crowds, celebrity sightings and heavy merchandise and concessions sales helped make the start raucous. Off-course tension centered on a new PGA of America pay-for-play arrangement — $500,000 for each U.S. player and captain ($300,000 for charity and a $200,000 personal stipend) — which Team Europe rejected and which European captain Luke Donald criticized. The ceremony still featured the usual uniform showcase, with Ralph Lauren dressing Team USA and Loro Piana outfitting Team Europe.