Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE! Latest scores, updates and results as McIlroy and Fleetwood lead Team Europe on Saturday
Team Europe look to build on their commanding Ryder Cup advantage in this morning’s foursomes session. Luke Donald’s side enjoyed a dream opening day in Rome, preventing the USA from winning a single match, and have put themselves in charge with a 6½-1½ lead.
They swept yesterday’s foursomes matches and the challenge is to do something similar this time, with Donald unsurprisingly opting for the same four pairings. Rory McIlroy, who already has two point to his name, teams up with Tommy Fleetwood in the opening match, up against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. Viktor Hovland and Luvdig Aberg then take on Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, who had to settle for just half a point in the fourballs yesterday as they were left stunned by Jon Rahm’s magic.
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka were impressive on the opening day and this time face Team USA pairing Max Homa and Brian Harman, before the fiery duo of Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton close the session out against close friends Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog, featuring expert analysis from Matt Majendie in Rome.
Live updates
Matt Majendie in Rome
For some reason, there’s an MC on the tee today trying to whip up the crowd. He’s now leading the crowd in a rendition of Sweet Caroline.
This is too early for 7.30 in the morning.
American duo must step up
Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas sat out yesterday’s foursomes sessions, but they lead off Team USA this morning.
There were promising signs from the pair in the fourballs, where they would have taken a full point but for a brilliant putt on the 18th green from Viktor Hovland.
Foursomes a whole different test though. Spieth became ragged on the back nine yesterday – that would be a huge problem here.
Not long now…
First match just 15 minutes away now. Reminder of what we have to look forward to this morning…
Match 1, 6:35am: McIlroy & Fleetwood vs Spieth & Thomas
Match 2, 6:50am: Hovland & Aberg vs Scheffler & Koepka
Match 3, 7:05am: Lowry & Straka vs Homa & Harman
Match 4, 7:20am: Rahm & Hatton vs Cantlay & Schauffele
All times BST.
Matt Majendie in Rome
With the moon still out, ‘Fleetwood Mac’ are side by side on the driving range prior to their round.
Very relaxed mood in the Europe camp with Tyrrell Hatton laughing and joking on the putting green.
Rose: We’re going to keep fighting
Justin Rose has warned the Europeans against any complacency today, despite their big lead.
“Obviously, Team USA is strong and will be strong and will come out strong tomorrow,” he said after holing his putt on the 18th green to halve his fourballs match.
“There’s no complacency here. Today was an unbelievable day. There are small margins between the teams. You look at the way it was – obviously the American team is a great team, top 20 in the world, they are a hell of a team.
“And it’s going to still to be that way for the next few days. We’re going to be fighting for small margins out there.”
Strong day for McIlroy and Fitzpatrick
Dream afternoon for Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, out last in the fourballs yesterday afternoon.
Fitzpatrick picked up his first ever Ryder Cup point, while McIlroy secured his second of the day to already double the tally he managed at Whistling Straits.
Pretty decent day’s work.
Koepka unimpressed with Rahm
Brooks Koepka accused Team Europe talisman Jon Rahm of behaving like a “child” after a thrilling end to the pair’s encounter in a dramatic finale to the Ryder Cup fourballs on Friday.
Rahm sunk a long-range putt as Europe quickly quashed what had looked like a comeback from Team USA after the visitors were mauled in the morning foursomes.
Following the match, Koepka said: “I want to hit a board and pout just like Jon Rahm did. But, you know, it is what is is. Act like a child. But we’re adults, we move on.”
Rahm carded two eagles in the final two holes to give him and playing partner Nicolai Hojgaard a half which felt like a win against Koepka and Scottie Scheffler.
European captain Luke Donald downplayed the apparent spat.
He said: “I certainly didn’t see any of that. Jon was a big support system for Nicolai today. Jon is a passionate person but I didn’t see him acting any other way.”
Matt Majendie in Rome
It’s cold and dark here at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club this morning, but already thousands of fans are in the queue to get their prime spot for later in the day.
There was a slightly comedic rush yesterday morning as officials opened the gates at daylight and the punters made a run for it. I’d expect the same today.
I’ve already chatted to the Evening Standard’s bleary-eyed columnist Matt Wallace, who had aspirations at the start of the year to make the European team but is here working as a pundit for 5 Live.
