Despite Europe taking a five point lead into the final day of the Ryder Cup, it may be Team USA who have the momentum following some heroics from Patrick Cantlay, who birdied the final three holes to claim a crucial point and close the gap to five points.
Earlier on Saturday, Europe produced yet another dominant display in the foursomes, picking up a 3-1 victory to put the scores at 9.5 - 2.5. However, the American's fired back in the afternoon four balls.
Going out first, Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa claimed a 4&3 win over Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland, who dispatched Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in record-breaking fashion in the foursomes. Aberg and Hovland securing a 9&7 win.
In the next match, Brian Harman and Max Homa made it two wins from two, as the American pair followed up their morning foursomes victory with a 2&1 victory over Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard.
There was some respite for the Europeans though in the third match, as Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre beat Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth 3&1. One match was still out on the course and, in it, it seemed that Europe would tie up the session, with Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick 1-up with three holes remaining.
Cantlay though, who had received a fair amount of heckling throughout the round, birdied the 16th before holing a birdie putt on the 17th to tie things up. From there, he would go on to birdie the 18th, with a 40-foot putt giving the US side a much needed boost.
Going into the final day, Europe stand 10.5 - 5.5 points ahead and will need just four points from the 12 singles on Sunday. In the history of the Ryder Cup, the largest comeback on a final day has been from 10 - 6, which occurred in 1999 and 2012, so Team USA will need a record-breaking day on Sunday to retain the trophy.
Ryder Cup latest scores:
What a day we have in store at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club - follow along all day for the latest scores and updates from day two of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Buongiorno!
Good morning and welcome to day 2 of the Ryder Cup. A quiet day yesterday. Let's hope things get a little more exciting today.
POORLY AMERICANS IN NEED OF FAST START
Let's hope Team USA are fit and will this morning, although it doesn't sound good from what Zach Johnson has been saying. We're sure to hear a bit more about this this morning.
JT STEPS UP
The one positive for America yesterday has to be this man. If USA had a few more JTs, they might not be in the position they're in - he's certainly up for the fight.
YESTERDAY'S BIG MOMENTS
HUGE 💥#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/sRuvGBRsELSeptember 29, 2023
So many big moments yesterday - here's just two of them. Huge putts that have prevented the US from getting any real momentum so far.
ARE TEAM USA UNDERCOOKED?
It's a question Zach Johnson will be asked a lot if they don't turn this around: Are they undercooked? Quite a few of these players haven't played tournament golf for five weeks...
5-minute countdown
Here we go. You know the score by now. The first tee is loud. Fleetwood Mac versus Thomas and Spieth is almost upon us. This one could be close. Expect to see some passion in this one. Will JT silence the crowd?
MATCH 1 UNDERWAY
Justin Thomas hits the first tee shot, finds some thick stuff down the right. Rory McIlroy is up for Europe. He looks to have found a decent lie in the left rough. Advantage Europe looking at those lies. Rough 2-0 Fairway. Spieth might find it tough to advance this one onto the green... we're off and running on day 2.
THOMAS GETS DAY 2 OFF AND RUNNING
How's your heart rate, JT? It is indeed a layup from Spieth after Thomas' tee shot finds the right rough - very juicy. Fleetwood has a peach of a lie. He plays a nice approach to 15 feet or so. Fortunate break, there, for Fleetwood Mac with that lie. They won't care one bit... good chance for Rory coming up.
EUROPE 1UP IN TOP MATCH
Spieth's putt grazes the edge of the hole - and that's a bogey. First blood Europe.
MATCH 2 UNDERWAY
Loud cheers (not a fan) as Scheffler finds the right rough - popular spot that. Hovland rips one up the 1st. The Norwegian is the first player to find the 1st fairway on day two. Position 'A'.
EMOTIONAL SCENES ON THE 1ST
Seve, forever in our hearts 💙#TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/N7FZNSz8LUSeptember 30, 2023
What a tribute to the great man this is.
Seve, Per Sempre Nei Nostre Cuori.
STUTTERING START FROM US
Koepka tries to gouge one out of the juicy rough on the 1st - and it goes wrong. Scheffler still in the rough and he chops one up towards the green. Not the start Johnson wanted. The American pair are playing this hole like 28-handicappers (no offence to 28-handicappers).
We could soon be seeing blue on the board in the top 2 Matches.
FLEETWOOD FROM DOWNTOWN!
A bomb from Tommy on two and Europe go 2UP through two. That was 40-foot plus... we'll bring you that one shortly. Meanwhile, Koepka and Scheffler open with a double bogey 6, so Hoberg go 1UP in that one. Aberg doesn't need to putt after Scheffler's miss.
FORE RIGHT!
Not quite a wide, but that's three in the right rough off the 1st from the US. Straka steps up and smokes one down the middle. Early concerns for Johnson.
WORRYING SIGNS
Spieth has just hit a huge wide - 3DOWN? This has to be a concern for Johnson. So has Scheffler who flies the green. Meanwhile, Europe continue to get good lies in the rough... Hovland there with a nice one.
GRITTY FOR HARMAN
The Open champ makes a solid stroke to make par on 1 - that's a half. Spieth misses, though, and they go 3DOWN after three. Awful start for the Americans in the top Match.
THE STORY OF THE MORNING SO FAR
The image that summarises how things are going for the US so far this morning: Out of position.
US ILLNESS UPDATE
Zach Johnson says a few of his guys are suffering, but have responded well to antibiotics. What kind of illness requires antibiotics, I'm not sure. Let's hope they make a quick recovery.
WE HAVE RED!
Harman stepping up, here. Lovely putt to take a 1UP lead. Positive news for the US.
SCHEFFLER OUT OF SORTS
I'm not sure I've ever seen the world number one play quite so poorly. We're only a few holes in but he looks like he hasn't woken up yet. These guys look rattled at the moment. It surely won't last. Scheffler and Koepka at +5 for three holes. Europe somehow win the third with a bogey to go 3UP (Hoberg).
CLASSIC MATCH PLAY
Thomas and Spieth walk off with a spring in their step. Thomas rolls in a great putt, and McIlroy is annoyed with himself, there, missing a short one. You don't want to be giving Thomas and his buddy Spieth too many openings like that - they need to feed off that error from Europe.
THAT SEVE TRIBUTE
Seve, forever in our hearts. A lovely moment.
red gone
Lowry, yesterday's cheerleader, quickly wipes the red off the board.
RULING CONVERSATION ONGOING
Bit of drama unfolding with JT and Spieth in some deep rough. They appear to be questioning whether they can take relief, embedded maybe? Tommy Fleetwood is keeping a close eye here. Emotions running high and it doesn't look like everyone's satisfied. Thomas can't do anything but hack at it and it goes sideways. He then steps on it. That's going to be another hole to Europe.
A spot of gamesmanship, perhaps?
LOSS OF HOLE?
Shot 4 from Thomas. He's admitted to stepping on the ball. Whatever way you look at it, this is going to be a lost hole for US. The struggles continue for Zach Johnson's men.
THOMAS STEPS UP
Fine response from Thomas. Stepped on his ball on the last hole, but he's stepped onto the 7th and fires a dart at the pin. Meanwhile, Hoberg go 5UP in their match against Scheffler and Koepka. I fancy Koepka would like to put some gloves on and have a bit of a box with Hovland. I'm not sure he likes how much the Norwegian smiles.
RED BACK ON THE BOARD
Lowry misses a shorty and HH have their lead back. These two look like a decent pairing, steely and solid. Meanwhile, Spieth misses the birdie put his pal set him up with. They stay 3DOWN in the top Match. That was about eight feet and the type of putt that they need to start making, all over the course.
Has Tommy opened the door with a loose drive down the next? Was heading towards the water hazard, looks like it's pulled up.
IT'S UGLY
Spieth is down the right. He's not taken advantage of Fleetwood's loose one. Possibly a few naughty words muttered. Spieth is all over the place at the moment, he really appears to be struggling with his swing.
Hatton misses a short putt to go 2UP. Puzzled. We've seen some great stuff so far this morning, mostly from Team Europe, but there's also been a lot of ugly stuff.
LUDVIG LOVING LIFE
Ludvig Åberg comes within inches of a hole-in-one 😲#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/iq4DVbDmkFSeptember 30, 2023
Almost an ace from the boy wonder. How many Majors is this lad going to win? Just a reminder, he only turned professional three years ago.
RED GONE
Lowry and Straka just won't let the US have anything. The one Match where the US have been having some joy so far and the European pair just keep taking the hole back.
MORE NAUGHTY WORDS
Koepka needs a bar of soap to wash that mouth of his out. He's not the only one. Frustrations starting to show all over the course. Is it too early to mention another foursomes clean sweep?
Yes. Justin Thomas is that man again - showing great heart. Reduces the deficit in the top Match. Europe now just 2UP through eight after Spieth's tidy approach.
FANCY DRESS. THOUGHTS?
I'm not judging. Just asking the question... What are you thoughts on fancy dress at the Ryder Cup? These guys are going to get very warm.
6UP HOBERG
Meanwhile, in more serious matters. The US bully boys (that's a compliment) are taking a beating, here. Viktor and Ludvig go 6UP. Brooks looks like he's ready to explode.Thoughts with the dressing room door at this time.
WELL OUT
Don't mess with the rough at Marco Simone 😲pic.twitter.com/MojnJzfjrUSeptember 30, 2023
I suppose if you were feeling brave, you could have said, "Well out, JT". I'm not sure either Rory or Tommy did. Not wise.
EUROPE'S DOMINATION CONTINUES
JT can't get his putt to drop. Just when you think he and Spieth might be on the verge of a comeback, they throw in another mistake. They're struggling to find a fairway at the moment and will head into the back nine having made just one birdie. They'll need something special to turn this one around - they're 3DOWN.
HELLO TYRRELL
2UP. Hatton drops a lengthy putt in the bottom Match to pile even more misery on the Americans.
HOWEVER... we have red again. It's Max and Brian. These boys are looking decent together. Solid if unspectacular.
KEFFLER 7DOWN
Anger might be turning to embarrassment at this stage.
IS THE COMEBACK ON?
Sloppy stuff from Tommy and Rory, who lose the 10th. Can JT and Spieth make a comeback? It would change things a lot for the US. Just to see some red at the top.
How to watch day 2 of the Ryder Cup
Here are the details of how to watch a Day 2 Ryder Cup Live Stream from wherever you may be in the world.
Match 2 this morning - Europe win 9&7
This is the largest margin of victory in a Ryder Cup 18-hole match. Ever. The World No. 1 has lost 9&7 when partnered by a five-time Major champion. It really has not been America's morning so far. Great for rookie Aberg, and Hovland is a man in form at the moment.
Top match halve 12th with eagles
Now this is the kind of golf we have come to expect from the Ryder Cup. Thomas and Spieth remain 3 down to Fleetwood Mac.
Nothing special
When asked before what it would take to win the Ryder Cup, Xander Schauffele had replied: “Nothing special.” (He meant for the USA to win, just to be clear.) Well it is going to take something pretty darn special now. The morning has not been going USA’s way following their opening day five-point deficit. Europe lead was the joint highest at this stage of a Ryder Cup. The two other occasions such a lead was achieved, in 1975 by the US and in 2004 by Europe, those sides went on to win by 10 and nine points respectively.
More history could be made
No side has gone winless through the first three sessions of a five-session Ryder Cup. But Homa & Harman are 2 up thru 11 in their match.
Homa and Harman go 3up
They have won their last three holes.
Can Scheffler be sent out this afternoon?
He is the World No.1 but he had a shocker this morning and we have just had a television picture of him looking in bits. Not sure he wasn't even crying.
Does Aberg go out this afternoon?
He wasn't part of the fourballs yesterday, and the old saying is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' But can you bench someone who has just been part of a 9&7 victory?
Huge roar for Rory's putt dropping on 15
Crowd has seemed a little subdued of late, but that roar was as loud as anything we've had so far. Winning the 15th means Fleetwood Mac are now 2 up with 3 to play.
Match 3 tie 14th hole with pars
USA team of Homa and Harman are 3 up with four to play. They are up against Lowry and Straka.
That Seve tribute at the start of today
Seve, forever in our hearts 💙#TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/N7FZNSz8LUSeptember 30, 2023
Thomas & Spieth win 16th
They have are now only 1 down. USA really need them to get something from this.
Thomas carves his tee shot on par 3 17th into thick rough
McIlroy's shot gets a kick off the bank and is on the fringe of the green pin high. Maybe we are destined not to have a foursomes match go down 18 on either of the two days?
Homa and Harman go dormie
They are 3 up with 3 to play. Can they close this out better than the USA did in their matches yesterday afternoon?
USA have won a match
This is not a drill. It was done in some style, too, with Max Homa chipping in from the light rough. He and Brian Harman have defeated Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka 4&2. USA were 7 under par for their last seven holes.
Fleetwood Mac win match on 17th
It took the USA team three shots to get onto the 17th green. Well the second shot, which was hacked out of the rough, did get on the green but rolled across it and off again. Fleetwood then plays from the light rough and the ball goes way beyond the pin. McIlroy has a longer putt for par than he may have been expecting. But he hits it in dead centre. Europe win 2&1.
An ideal foursomes partnership... why it’s all balls
One of the problems Tiger Woods’ partners had in Ryder Cup was that they had to play his preferred type of golf ball, which Mark Calcavecchia discovered to his consternation after he thought he had hit a good shot with it, that it “spun a lot and went nowhere.”
Luke Donald has partnered Rory McIlroy with Tommy Fleetwood, who both play with the TaylorMade TP5x golf ball. They have won both their foursomes.
Donald has also partnered Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka, who both use the Srixon Z-Star XV. That pairing did work out so well today, but it did yesterday.
Will anyone play all five matches?
In last week’s Solheim Cup, the USA captain Stacy Lewis decided that it was too much physically to ask someone to play five rounds in three days on such a hilly course as Finca Cortesin. Marco Simone is quite a tough, hilly walk, too, and it’s hot.
The European captain at Finca Cortesin,, Suzann Pettersen, took a different view and played Linn Grant, Leona Maguire and Emily Kristine Pedersen in all five sessions. (Maguire won her singles match, but the other two lost theirs just for the record.)
So far, seven players have picked for all three sessions. Four for Europe – Tyrrell Hatton; Viktor Hovland; Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm – and Max Homa; Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler for the USA.
Spare a thought for the caddies
Everyone is talking about how hard it might be for the golfers to play five rounds. What about the pour souls who have to lug those carry bags up and down those hills in the morning and afternoon? Especially considering how much clobber pro golfers pack into their bags. The first two days start early and finish late.
Only foursomes match still on course remains all square
The USA team did not use the fairway, and did use four shots, to get on the 15th green. But they one putt for a bogey. The hole is halved,
Rahm & Hatton go 1up
Hatton's birdie putt on 16 drops. Then Schauffele misses one that most people would have expected him to make.
Afternoon pairings are in
Viktor Hovland & Ludvig Aberg vs Sam Burns & Collin Morikawa
Tommy Fleetwood & Nicolai Hojgaard vs Max Homa & Brian Harman
Justin Rose & Robert MacIntyre vs Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas
Matt Fitzpatrick & Rory McIlroy vs Patrick Cantlay & Wyndham Clark
Superb pair of tee shots on 17
Rahm goes first on the par 3 and hits in to within inches. Cantlay follows and hits it to about three feet.
Schauffele misses that putt!
Let's be generous and say it was more like 4 feet than 3, but even so...
Europe win 2&1 and no foursomes match has gone down 18 on either day.
Europe take the second day's foursomes 3-1.
These American players had winning Ryder Cup records… promise
They entered this Ryder Cup with a combined record of 34-22-12. By way of comparison, the European players came in with an aggregate record of 36-39-12. This meant it was the first time since 1993 that the American players have had a better Ryder Cup record than the Europeans.
Those long days
They do start early. Picture shows, sort of, Jordan Spieth watching his tee shot on the second hole during this morning foursomes.
Afternoon session is underway
Who wants lunch anyway?
Quick quiz question
Of those European Ryder Cup player who have played at least three Ryder Cup who has the best points percentage, at 70%. I’ll give the answer in a wee while.
The best points percentage was by…
Luke Donald. Donald went 10-4-1 in his four Cups. Both this year’s captains won more matches than they lost. Zach Johnson played in five Cups, going 8-7-2. The difference was that all Donald’s appearances were for winning European sides; Zach Johnson was only once part of a winning USA team.
One among several records being set
Europe leads 9.5 to 2.5 after 3 sessions.This ties the largest lead after 3 sessions since the Ryder Cup first used the 5-session format in 1963. The U.S. led by 7 in both 1967 and 1975.September 30, 2023
Still a lot to play for
As USA start putting some red on the board in the afternoon matches, worth considering that there are still a lot of points up for grabs. If the USA were to win this session 4-0, for instance, then 9½ to 6½ looks a heck of lot different, and importantly will feel a heck of a lot different, to the scoreline now.
Fancy a fancy dress shot?
I am sure when I was growing up that it was the golfers who wore the jazzy outfits and the spectators would be soberly dressed.
Different feel to the match this afternoon
This afternoon it has been Europe who have been playing the scruffy golf, Europe whose putts have refused to drop or are lipping out. The USA team are looking the more assured at the moment. The Sam Burns we have seen this afternoon has been a very different one to the fellow we saw on the first morning.
I think they may be supporting the USA side
Dunno why - call it intuition, or a sixth sense.
What a difference a few hours makes
Just a wee while ago Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland were compiling a record margin of victory in a Ryder Cup match, and doing so against a the World No. 1 and a five-time Major champion to boot. This afternoon they are 3 down after six holes and their fourball score is level par.
Spot the difference competition?
The USA’s team colour is red; Europe’s is blue. At least on the scoreboard. But this does not always translate to the outfits they wear. Yesterday both sides wore blue shirts, albeit of different shades and patterns. But today both sides are wearing predominantly white shirts, albeit with different trimmings, dark blue trousers and dark blue caps.
In the USA’s case, there is a blue and red band across the midriff of their shirts. Europe have no blue on their shirt design, and a bit of brown, although it could be described as maybe a type of dull red at a pinch, as panels across the shoulder and down the sleeves.
Can’t the captains get together well before the Ryder Cup and decide what colour shirts each side will wear on which day? Yesterday’s outfits were fine, but today’s are far more similar than they need be. There is a huge colour palette out there.
Rose birdie ties that match
Boy was he pleased by his medium-length putt going in. His celebration was almost akin to his one on 18 last night. Rose & MacIntyre are tied with Thomas & Spieth after six holes. Spieth's ball has been doing almost all the scoring for the Americans.
Amazing tee shot by Thomas on par-3 7th
He misses the green by miles. His balls hits the bank, bounces down, trundles across the small swale area, carries on to the green, and just carries on rolling until it ends a few feet from the hole which is on the other side of the green. Rose also missed the green by miles - but he drowned his ball.
Thomas makes his birdie
Easy game this. USA back 1up in that game.
Top match goes to the turn with USA 4up
Luke Donald in interview suggested that the quick victory by Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg encouraged him to send them out again. But they have not fared well this afternoon and now Sam Burns & Collin Morikawa are well ahead. Aberg has had a dream Ryder Cup debut thus far, but this afternoon has been a struggle.
When in Rome...
Second match is through the turn
Max Homa & Brian Harman are 4up on Tommy Fleetwood & Nicolai Hojgaard. The stats say that, in the Ryder Cup, a team ahead at the time goes on to win in the overwhelming number of cases. So with the two matches through the turn both doing so with USA 4up, it strongly suggests two more points incoming for USA sometime this afternoon. A 4-0 afternoon whitewash is still on. But so is a 2-2 draw.
Outcome IQ tool
It says that the chances of USA winning the 3rd game are 47% and puts a European win at 39% and a tie at 14%. The anchor match it has as 58% chance of a European victory and a 26% probability for a USA one.
Third match now through the turn
This match is Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas vs Justin Rose & Robert MacIntyre. USA have been ahead for two spells during the front nine, but the match goes to the 10th tee all square thanks to a Rose birdie on the par-5 9th.
Ways to relax in a Ryder Cup when faced with a crucial putt
Justin Rose’s celebration after holing his putt on 18 on the first evening is one of the iconic images of this Ryder Cup so far. He explained afterwards that he was telling himself, in order to relax, that the putt was merely part of a practice drill.
Colin Montgomerie recited his 37 times table when he was faced with the Ryder Cup-winning putt at Oakland Hills. He explained that: “it took away everything. It took away the feeling of people watching, where I was, my putting stroke, my grip pressure, the line of the putt – everything. And it worked.”
America go dormie in the top match
Sam Burns & Collin Morikawa are 6 up on Viktor Hovland & Ludvig Aberg. This afternoon has been quite the turnaround for the two Americans. Oh, and for the European pair, too - they could end the day as 9&7 victors and (potentially) 7&5 losers.
JUSTIN ROSE PUTS EUROPE UP
The putt and reaction from @JustinRose99 💪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/3v8aRvx1XASeptember 30, 2023
For the first time in the third match Team Europe lead! Justin Rose is playing very, very well and, after a birdie at the ninth, he has just drained a mid-range effort for another birdie at the 10th to put him and Robert MacIntyre up for the first time in the match. USA now lead two and Europe lead two!
MORIKAWA MISSES A SHORT PUTT
Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns are 6-up with six to play in their match and, at the par 3 13th, Morikawa puts it close. With Aberg in for birdie, this putt would secure a dominant 6&5 win for the USA, but Morikawa misses on the left side. You could say it's delaying the inevitable, but you never know...
HOMA STANDING OUT
Max Homa and Brian Harman have been the stand-out players for the American team and, at the par 5 12th, Homa almost holes his second shot for an albatross. Funnily enough, that's nearly identical to his shot this morning and, with the European pair of Fleetwood and Hojgaard unable to find the green, USA should go 4-up with six remaining
MORIKAWA'S IRON PLAY
Well, after missing a short putt at the 13th, Morikawa fires a great iron shot from 230-yards at the very next. He will have around 10-feet for birdie and the win, with Hovland and Aberg also on the green, but slightly further away than their American opponents.
Elsewhere, Homa and Harman are starting to close in on a victory, with Fleetwood unable to hole his lengthy eagle attempt. Team Europe are 4-down through 12 in that match and need a miracle to get a point.
In the final match, Matt Fitzpatrick just misses a long birdie putt to put Europe 2-up, with Wyndham Clark safely in for par. That final game will be pivotal!
ANOTHER ONE BACK
This must be starting to frustrate Collin Morikawa, who should have finished the game back on the 13th! After Aberg sinks his birdie putt, the American can't follow his European opponent, as Morikawa pushes his putt right. Europe now 4-down in that match... They couldn't, could they?
TIE WITH BIRDIES
Where has this been this afternoon? At the par 3 13th, all four players find the green, with European, Tommy Fleetwood, draining his birdie putt from around 20-foot. It proves to be only good enough for a tie, as Max Homa drains another good putt to match Fleetwood's birdie. USA remain 4-up with five to play in that match.
In the match behind, Justin Thomas has a great chance to level things up with a birdie, but the American leaves a short putt in the jaws of the hole. Europe still need to make and Bobby Mac makes no mistake, holing a short par putt to match his American opponents to keep 1-up in that game.
TROUBLE AT THE 12TH
Well, there have been some wayward tee shots on the driveable par 4 12th, with Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark pulling their tee shots well left. They are currently getting some rulings, so it's Matt Fitzpatrick who goes first, with his pitch shot just a yard from being perfect. Landing past the flag, it does spin, but gets caught up in a sprinkler head.
BURNS AND MORIKAWA PICK UP 4&3 WIN FOR USA
Collin Morikawa and Sam Burns claim the opening points of the afternoon in a 4&3 victory for Team USA. It very nearly went to another hole though as Viktor Hovland's bunker shot just misses and Ludvig Aberg's birdie try falls to the right. All too little too late for the Europeans, who can't capitalise on their historic 9&7 victory from this morning.
CANTLAY TIES FINAL MATCH
Well, the European pair of McIlroy and Fitzpatrick are unable to birdie the 12th and, as a result, Cantlay's short birdie putt pulls the Americans back into a tie. This is going to be a close finish and, at this time, I feel USA are playing slightly better than the Europeans.
Ahead, Nicolai Hojgaard has holed a long birdie putt which is good enough to move back to 3-down, with American's Homa and Harman unable to convert their attempts. There are four holes left in that match, so it will take some doing to get a point for Europe.
SO CLOSE FOR BOBBY MAC
That would have been huge for MacIntyre and Rose in the third match! After Rose and Spieth both miss their birdie putts, the Scotsman has a birdie putt of his own to put the Europeans 2-up. It looks in all the way but somehow misses on the left side, huge miss and one that doesn't give them breathing room.
In the second match, Fleetwood is the only player to find the fairway off the tee on the 15th, a huge advantage given how long the second shot plays up the hill. USA and Hojgaard go left and stick it in the rough; they will likely have to chip out.
EUROPE CLOSER ON THE 13TH
After a great chance to go 2-up, MacIntyre responds with a dart on the 13th! He will have around six-feet for birdie, with his partner, Rose, also in close. America responds, with Spieth the closest out the two, but it's yet another great chance for Europe to get a foothold in that match.
THAT IS HUGE FROM BOBBY MAC
Bob MacIntrye that was GUTSY! pic.twitter.com/fnW9LnrIOESeptember 30, 2023
Justin Thomas misses his putt to the right, which leaves it up to his American partner Spieth. Again, he has the line but leaves it a roll short in the jaws of the hole! It's now Europe's turn and, after Rose misses, it falls on MacIntyre again. He makes no mistake this time! Ramming his birdie putt in the back of the hole to double the European's lead to 2-up.
In the bottom game, Wyndham Clark hits two classy shots but fails to hole his eagle putt at the par 5 12th. That means McIlroy needs to convert his birdie try from four-feet which, calmly, he does.
HOMA CHIPS IN
What. A. Shot. 🔥@maxhoma | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/VMNOXniXCjSeptember 30, 2023
Take a bow, Max Homa! He has been USA's best player this week and, at the par 4 15th, he chips in for a completely mad par! It is a crucial moment, especially as Fleetwood had a birdie putt of his own coming up. In the end, Fleetwood two-putts for Europe, which means the best Europe can do in that game is a tie.
WHAT A SHOT NICOLAI HOJGAARD
That is unbelievable Hojgaard! He hits a gentle driver on the par 4 16th, which flies miles left to right and lands on the green like a wedge. He will have around 10-feet for an eagle and, with Harman and Homa unable to find the green and leaving interesting chips, it is not over just yet!
In the group behind, Jordan Spieth has carved one miles out of bounds, with the American complaining about something on the tee box. It will be up to his partner, Thomas, to play this one out.
FITZY!!
MATTHEW FITZPATRICK! 😍#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/UZ5c16XNsqSeptember 30, 2023
It looks almost a given that USA will win the par 3 13th, but Matt Fitzpatrick holes a long birdie putt to send the fans into fanfare! In the USA camp, Cantlay misses but Clark doesn't, with the hole being halved with birdies. That match remains in a tie with five holes remaining.
TOMMY, TOMMY, TOMMY
A NO-LOOK CHIP IN FROM TOMMY FLEETWOOD! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/KNxFyCaxMuSeptember 30, 2023
I've just praised Hojgaard's tee shot, but it's Tommy Fleetwood who takes the plaudits as he chips in for an unbelievable eagle from the back edge of the green. That was utter, utter filth from the Englishman, who gives a cheeky look to the crowd before it even drops! Europe are now 2-down with two remaining!
ROSE AND BOB MAC 3-UP
The tide is turning Europe's way now! After finding the fairway, Thomas hits his approach into the bunker. What's more, Rose holes a lovely putt for par and, with Europe in, Thomas is unable to follow, with the American missing his attempt! Europe lead that match 3-up!
Elsewhere, Fitzpatrick and Clark have both found the out of bounds on the 15th and, after doing so, it's up to McIlroy to step up and deliver. He absolutely demolishes his drive and tickles a lovely wedge to 15-feet. Advantage Europe, who are currently tied.
At the 17th, Homa finds the green at the par 3,, with Hojgaard plugged in the bunker and Fleetwood pin high right. USA just need a tie in that match to win, so it'll be up to Fleetwood and Hojgaard to deliver for Europe.
RORY MCILROY!
After two classy shots, Rory McIlroy drains his birdie putt to give Europe a 1-up lead in the final game! Incredible golf from the four-time Major winner, who has been up-and-down through this back nine.
HOMA AND HARMAN WIN 2&1
What a match that was! After Homa and Harman leave par putts inside five-feet, Fleetwood almost holes his lengthy birdie putt from off the green. Somehow, it misses on the right side, with Homa stepping up to claim the decisive blow and a 2&1 victory for the USA.
THE PASSION FROM RORY
Rory showing us what it means 💪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/bKgCd2pAesSeptember 30, 2023
TWO GAMES REMAIN
Both groups are on the par 4 15th, with Rose and MacIntyre 3-up and McIlroy and Fitzpatrick 1-up. It's crucial Europe win this to level the session and, up at the green, all four of the Rose, MacIntyre, Spieth and Thomas group have putts coming up, with the pairs currently working out who is to go first.
Back on the tee, McIlroy, Fitzpatrick and Clark have found the fairway, with Clark in the best position after he pounded a driver over the bunkers. His partner, Cantlay, is in the second cut, lie will determine whether he goes for it or not.
HALVED WITH PARS
American, Thomas, is first up, with his lengthy birdie putt rolling to within gimme range. It's conceded, with MacIntyre then playing a delicate bunker shot from a semi-plugged lie.
It's MacIntyre's partner, Rose, to go first, with the Englishman's putt going low from 25-feet. Again, it's down to MacIntyre and, once again, the Scotsman converts before giving out a calm and restrained fist pump. That is clutch from MacIntyre, who has guaranteed that Europe will at least get half a point from the match. Obviously, they will want the full point.
ADVANTAGE USA IN THE FINAL MATCH
In the final match it's advantage America, with Cantlay putting the ball to about 30-feet and Clark sticking his approach to 20-feet. In the Europe camp, Fitzpatrick is on the green, albeit a fair distance away, with McIlroy coming up short in the sand.
Up ahead, MacIntyre has found the green at the driveable par 4 16th, with a birdie likely good enough to claim the match and a first win for the Scot at the Ryder Cup, especially as Thomas is short sided and Spieth is in the drink.
FITZPATRICK CHIPS OFF THE GREEN
Well, I'm unsure why Fitzpatrick is chipping that in all honesty... He is on the green, but opted to not take the putter after McIlroy put it to gimme range out the bunker. In the end, it rolls off the green and we move on.
MACINTYRE AND ROSE WIN 3&1
What a victory for the European pair, who battled hard against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth! In the end, it's Rose who delivers the decisive blow as MacIntyre picks up his first full Ryder Cup point. Both men regularly contributed throughout that game and Europe are now 10.5 - 4.5 points up, with McIlroy and Fitzpatrick also leading their match in the final game.
ROSE'S WINNING MOMENT
The moment @JustinRose99 clinched another point for Europe! ☝️#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Als2JpuPVYSeptember 30, 2023
MCILROY IN POLE POSITION
At the short 16th, it's McIlroy who makes the biggest impact, with his tee shot landing and finishing in the middle of the green. He will have an eagle attempt coming up and, with Clark in trouble and Cantlay long and left, it is advantage Europe who, if they win this hole, will be 2-up with two to play.
CANTLAY SCRAPS A BIRDIE
Clark, Cantlay and Fitzpatrick were all faced with difficult shots which meant a birdie was more or less taken out of the equation straight away. However, Cantlay digs deep and somehow birdies the hole from the greenside bunker. Just moments before, McIlroy had seen his eagle attempt brush the lip, with a halved hole in birdie meaning Europe remain 1-up with two remaining.
BIG SHOT FROM CANTLAY
McIlroy, Fitzpatrick and Clark miss the green at the par 3 17th, but Cantlay steps up to stick his tee shot to around eight-feet. A really solid stroke from the American, who has received his fair share of heckling from the crowd today.
WHAT A CHIP FROM RORY
What have we just seen?! 🤯@McIlroyRory, that is madness.#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/CmTbn8So5xSeptember 30, 2023
That was stunning, Rory. Short sided and coming up the bank, McIlroy judges his chip to perfection, with it bouncing on the green before slamming the brakes on and finishing inside gimme range. Cantlay must hole his putt now to get the scores level.
CANTLAY CONVERTS
That never looked like missing! What a birdie from Cantlay, who holes his putt and takes the match down the last in a tie. Incredible drama here in Rome!
ADVANTAGE USA
USA are up first at the 18th, with both Clark and Cantlay finding the fairway with their tee shots. Clark is the longer of the two and actually flew the bunker at 327-yards. In Europe's case, Fitzpatrick has found the rough on the right hand side, with McIlroy pulverizing his tee shot left. Lie dependent, but it seems that Europe may struggle to find the green here, with USA both in the fairway.
APPROACH SHOTS
Matt Fitzpatrick to go first and he is forced to lay up from a poor lie. After the Englishman, it's Cantlay next who fires a lovely fairway wood at the flag. He is unlucky, to be honest, with the ball firing right and finishing just short of the green side bunker, it'll be a tough chip coming up.
Clark blasted one into the fans yesterday and, as he strikes the ball, it is on a similar line again! However, his ball comes up short and is not in a bad position, again, a chance of an up-and-down. Last to go is Rory, who blocks it right away from the water. He is in the bunker, but it's sat okay.
Fitzpatrick could have the easier shot out the four, despite being the furthest back and, with a wedge in hand, he punches a low one in to about 15-feet. It's a birdie putt.
CLARK DUFFS IT
Wow, US Open champion, Clark, has just fluffed his chip and is yet to make the green... In Europe's case, McIlroy is unlucky with his bunker shot, with the ball skidding off and running to 30-feet. Clark is having another go and runs it up to five-feet. He converts for par.
CANTLAY STRUGGLES
The pressure is huge here and, in the case of Cantlay, he can't put his ball close, with his attempt firing off the face and finishing 40-feet from the flag. Europe will likely have two birdie attempts for the match.
WHAT A PUTT CANTLAY
The American team wave their hats at Patrick Cantlay after he birdies the last hole 👀🧢 pic.twitter.com/5CGNjPXLYjSeptember 30, 2023
Wow! What a putt Cantlay! He blasts his chip well past the flag but Cantlay's putting has been excellent today. Striking the putt, it never looks anywhere else and, as it rattles the flag, it drops for a birdie and heaps the pressure on McIlroy and Fitzpatrick.
Neither of them can convert their putts on the 18th and USA claim the final match 1-up having been 1-down standing on the 17th tee. They claim the four balls session 3-1 and sit five back going into the final day singles. Scores are 10.5 - 5.5.
USA TRAIL BY 5
A big comeback from Team USA mean they will be five points back starting on Sunday. However, following Cantlay's heroics, could they produce a Miracle at Medinah like comeback?
