Jordan Spieth’s Ryder Cup collapse was a stunner. Here’s what happened

Jordan Spieth’s performance at the 44th Ryder Cup left spectators astounded and left many wondering what transpired during his Friday four-ball match. Leading up to this event, the spotlight had been primarily on Justin Thomas, whose recent struggles on the golf course were a cause for concern among American fans. Thomas had endured a challenging streak, including missing the cut in five of his last nine starts, featuring an 81 at the U.S. Open and an 82 at the Open Championship.

In contrast, Jordan Spieth, his go-to match-play partner, had garnered less attention despite his less-than-stellar form. In his last ten starts in the 2023 season, Spieth had managed two top 10 finishes but also missed four cuts and failed to secure a top 20 position in the last three majors. However, U.S. Captain Zach Johnson had unwavering faith in both players, granting them captain’s picks based on their remarkable match-play chemistry. The duo had previously held a record of 7-1-0 in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, making it a compelling choice for Johnson.

The burning question was whether Thomas and Spieth, even without their best form, could summon their renowned match-play prowess to lead the U.S. team to victory. Fans eager for an answer had to wait longer than expected, as Johnson opted to rest Thomas and Spieth in the opening session, a decision that left many scratching their heads.

However, this decision seemed justified when Thomas and Spieth, in the first four-ball match of the afternoon, raced to a 2-up lead through 13 holes against Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton. The American duo had complemented each other well, with Thomas securing two birdies and Spieth adding three more, showcasing his signature hole-outs. As they approached the 13th green, statistics gave the Europeans only a 24% chance of prevailing.

Then came the unexpected twist: Jordan Spieth’s game vanished. His shots went awry, starting with a troublesome tee shot at the par-4 14th, leading to a bogey. The struggles continued at the 15th, where another hook into the rough resulted in further complications. Spieth’s game deteriorated, and it was up to Thomas to hold the line.

Spieth’s woes persisted, culminating in a tee shot into the water at the 17th, leading to another hole they didn’t win. The match ultimately ended in a tie on the 18th, where Spieth’s struggles continued. Despite this challenging performance, Thomas remained optimistic, emphasizing that there was plenty of golf left to play.

U.S. Captain Zach Johnson expressed pride in their efforts, acknowledging that Spieth didn’t perform at his best, but that’s why they played as a team. Looking ahead, Thomas and Spieth would have another opportunity to prove themselves in the Day 2 foursomes session, facing formidable opponents in Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.

As the new day approached, the American duo aimed to secure a much-needed point and build their momentum from there. The spotlight was on Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas as they prepared for another chance to demonstrate their match-play magic at the Ryder Cup.