'Absolutely insane': Golf world in disbelief over Ryder Cup moment

Jordan Spieth sent the golf world into meltdown on the opening day of the Ryder Cup, producing an insane shot from heavy rough before almost ending up in Lake Michigan.

Playing in the first foursomes match, Spieth was left with a tough approach from a steep slope after playing partner Justin Thomas missed the 17th green in the American pair's match against Europe's Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia.

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Spieth was forced to play out of ankle-high grass on the steep embankment with no sight of the green from his position.

But the American somehow managed to produce an unreal shot that sent the ball within a few feet of the hole.

Such was the slope of the embankment that Spieth was sent on a downhill run after playing the shot and losing his balance, careering down the hill towards Lake Michigan, which lines on one side of the Wisconsin course.

It seemed the 28-year-old might not be able to stop as he neared the water, but he just managed to halt his momentum in time.

"I don't think I exaggerated that fall, you know how steep that is!" Spieth said afterwards.

"Once I started moving, I was like, 'I've got to keep moving until I find a flat spot'.

"It's one of those shots that you practise as a kid for fun and you don't ultimately want to have it.

"And the chances of it going there - you could roll a thousand balls off the green and it's not going it stay where it was!"

An impressed Garcia said: "I was clapping. I was hoping that he wouldn't hurt himself, but he hit an unbelievable shot.

"I didn't think there was a chance he could get it on the green."

Fans and commentators were also left in disbelief by Spieth's amazing shot.

USA ahead after Ryder Cup foursomes

Despite Spieth's efforts, Thomas missed what was a crucial putt and Rahm and Garcia won the match 3 and 1.

But that was the only good news for Padraig Harrington's side on Friday morning.

Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa defeated Paul Casey and Norwegian rookie Viktor Hovland 3 and 2 to level the scores, while Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger beat Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick 2 and 1.

Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter at least avoided suffering a record defeat to Patrick Cantlay and Patrick Schauffele after losing the first five holes, but the eventual 5 and 3 loss was a demoralising blow for one of Europe's star pairings.

Europe also lost the opening session 3-1 in Paris in 2018, albeit in fourballs, but won all four afternoon matches on their way to a comprehensive seven-point victory at Le Golf National.

Garcia already held the record for most points won in the Ryder Cup with 25.5 and Friday's win was his 23rd overall, equalling the all-time record held by Nick Faldo.

with AAP

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