Three keys for the first day of the Ryder Cup

After over a decade of anticipation, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black finally is here.

The three-day biennial golf competition between the U.S. and Europe begins at 7:10 a.m. on Friday, when Americans Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas face Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in the first of four foursome matches on the day.

Here are three things to watch when the event begins:

1. Expect fireworks early

So much of the chatter has focused on the electricity, nerves and overall aura surrounding the Ryder Cup’s first tee, which features a massive grandstand behind it.

U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said he wanted to “send out a fiery group” for his first pairing in the foursomes, and he certainly has.

DeChambeau has Team USA’s most lively personality, and he hyped up fans at the first tee to start each practice round. Despite the first hole being a 397-yard par 4, he likely will try to cut the right dogleg of the fairway and drive the green with a 365-yard tee shot.

Bradley called Thomas, playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, the “heartbeat of our team.”

For DeChambeau, the first-tee expectations are simple: “Tsunami of a wave of support.”

2. Will the weather be a factor?

Thursday included on-and-off rain throughout the day, but Friday should be clearer.

According to AccuWeather as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday morning in Farmingdale will be 78 degrees and partly sunny with fog. There is a 20% chance of precipitation in the morning and a 17% chance in the afternoon.

The fairways could be soggy after Thursday's rain resulting in potential mud balls. Europe's Viktor Hovland spoke Thursday about the possibility (and hope) of having preferred lies when the  players can lift, clean and place the ball. The match referees might be called on.

“I think it's the right thing to do if it gets super wet out there and it's just mud ball on every hole,” the Norwegian said. “. . . If you're getting mud balls on every hole, I just don't think that's great TV.”

3. A trend to note

The home team has won the last five Ryder Cups. In each of those matches, the hosts led after Friday’s action. Friday play in both 2023 and 2021 set the tone for blowouts.

Two years ago in Rome, Europe led 6 1/2-1 1/2 after Day 1 and never trailed en route to a 16 1/2-11 1/2 win.

In 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, Team USA led 6-2 after the first day and ultimately secured a 19-9 win, the largest margin of victory in a Ryder Cup since 1967.

“You want to get off to a fast start,” European captain Luke Donald said. “We've talked a lot about the four times we have won away and we've done it in different fashions. So it's not always imperative, but it's certainly nice to have.”

By Ben Dickson

benjamin.dickson@newsday.com@bendickson__

Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.