Europe need three points to secure the first away Ryder Cup victory since 2012 on Sunday, having dominated the United States on a bad-tempered second day at Bethpage, New York.

The visitors began Saturday's play with a three-point lead, and despite running the gauntlet in front of a fired-up crowd, they extended that advantage to seven by the end of play.

Luke Donald's team started as they meant to go on in the morning foursomes, winning the session 3-1 as Jon Rahm maintained his perfect record in the format.

He moved to 6-0 in Ryder Cup foursomes after reprising his partnership with Tyrrell Hatton for a 3-and-2 victory over Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele, while Scottie Scheffler's miserable form at the competition continued.

Scheffler became the first world number one to open a Ryder Cup by losing his first three matches, as he and Russell Henley lost out to Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre.

But the first flashpoint of the day came in Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood's matchup with Harris English and Collin Morikawa, as this year's Masters winner responded to a heckler before hitting a superb approach shot on the 16th hole.

McIlroy demanded a fan "shut the f*** up" before his wonderful stroke teed up Fleetwood's birdie putt to close out the Europeans' 3-and-2 success.

#TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/cjrCQMFxPy

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 27, 2025

McIlroy later said: "I don't mind them having a go at us. That's to be expected. That's what an away Ryder Cup is.

"Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that's the tough thing. In between shots, say whatever you want to me. That's totally fine.

"But just give us the respect to let us hit shots and give us the same chance that the Americans have."

Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young did take a point for the USA in the first session, but things did not improve for the hosts later on as Europe also took the fourballs 3-1.

There was more drama involving McIlroy and the home fans when he teamed up with Shane Lowry to beat Young and Justin Thomas, with the Northern Irishman refusing to attempt one putt until fans quietened down.

Lowry also had to be restrained when attempting to confront a heckler, while McIlroy celebrated a 14th-hole putt with an exuberant celebration in front of the USA fans.

"It was intense, it was like something I've never experienced," Lowry told Sky Sports afterwards. "But this is what I live for, it's what I get up for in the morning. I love being a part of this team and I want us to win this tournament."

Despite his poor start, Scheffler was sent out alongside DeChambeau to take on Justin Rose and Fleetwood, but Europe earned another 3-and-2 win in a contest that featured another heated confrontation between Rose and DeChambeau on the 15th hole.

Fun afternoon with Tommy…  pic.twitter.com/yvpJMj2Dtb

— Justin ROSE (@JustinRose99) September 27, 2025

J.J. Spaun and Xander Schauffele did win the USA's second point of the day, but Europe snatched yet another victory right before the close of play, with Sam Burns missing a big putt to tie as he and Cantlay lost out to Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.

That means Europe's lead going into the Sunday singles stands at 11 ½ to 4 ½ – the largest margin ever held at this stage of a Ryder Cup.

Since 1979, only four of the 22 Ryder Cups have seen a team overturn any form of deficit during the final-day singles, with the United States doing so in 1993 and 1999, while Europe did so in 1995 and 2012.

And Europe now have a real chance to record the most one-sided success in Ryder Cup history, with the USA triumphing 19-9 when last on home soil in 2021.