The American is keen to face off with McIlroy at Bethpage Black, but must rely on both Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald’s pairings after the players’ exchanged gibes in recent weeks

DeChambeau and Young delivered a clinical 4&2 win -- their first point of the day -- and a much-needed spark for Keegan Bradley’s squad. But as the second group, including Collin Morikawa and English Harris from Team USA, against Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy neared the back nine, tension thickened.