SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- The grandstands were packed before the sun came up over Lake Michigan, and by the end of the day those who filled them and the surrounding property were singing, dancing and enjoying one of the more remarkable days in recent U.S. Ryder Cup history.
Smiling American golfers were part of the scene, too.
The narrative often skews negative when it comes to the U.S. and this biennial competition, but it was nothing but positive on Friday at Whistling Straits, where the Americans built a surprising 6-2 lead, the biggest first-day advantage since 1975. It is also just the fourth time that the Americans won the opening two sessions since the Ryder Cup expanded to include all of Europe in 1979; it also happened in 1979, 2008 and 2010.