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Tim Schmitt

Ryder Cup 2023 live updates: Team USA vs. Team Europe at Marco Simone

Team Europe Rory McIlroy Ryder Cup Marco Simone (Facility) Europe Paul Azinger United States Marco Simone Golf and Country Club Golf

The 44th Ryder Cup is upon us but it’s been an ugly start for the Americans.

The Europeans pounced early and finished the first day leading 6 ½ to 1 ½. The Euros did that once before in 2004 in Detroit.

“There’s a ways to go in this Ryder Cup,” writes Golfweek‘s Eamon Lynch “but if the U.S. loses there will be plenty of blame to go around.”

Perhaps the U.S. team, which started the first day 0-4, can draw inspiration from the European Solheim Cup team, which also started 0-4 before going on to retain that Cup.

The host course, Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, is a public-access layout with tee times available on the course’s website starting at 190 Euros for international players. The course playing to a par of 71 with the scorecard showing 7,181 yards. The rough is deep and thick, putting an emphasis on accurate tee shots to relatively tight fairways.

The Americans, captained by Zach Johnson, are trying to win on foreign soil for the first time since 1993. Team Europe, meanwhile, is hoping an influx of young talent will help captain Luke Donald reverse a lopsided loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.

For more info on players, scoring, schedule and course data, check out our Ryder Cup hub.

Submitted without comment

This Ryder Cup-logoed bathrobe caught our fancy

Merchandise at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. (Photo: Adam Schupak / Golfweek)

I’d say the selection inside the Ryder Cup shop is a little disappointing in that it’s essentially the usual suspects – polos, hats, quarter zips, hoodies, headcovers and the accessories you see at just about any tournament.

I do like the soccer jersey look that is prevalent and best displayed by G/Fore, which also scores with its CIAO hat and scarf.

The most unusual item for sale? The Ryder Cup logoed bathrobe takes the prize in my book. Who knew we needed one of those?

Most of the big brands are there – Nike, Peter Millar – but also local favorite Chervo and Euro standbys such as Sunderland, Glenmuir and Abacus.

Here’s more from the merch tent.

— Adam Schupak

Fans applaud in the first grandstand prior to the first tee shot of the Friday morning foursomes matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 29, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

A few members on this year’s European team have already played on the course before, giving a pretty sizable advantage to Team Europe before the tournament even starts, but May is many months gone at this point. Conditions at Marco Simone are very different than what they were during the Italian Open.

What will the weather be like this weekend?

Saturday will have a low of 58 around start time, followed by a steady climb to 85 around 3:30-4. Winds, again, will blow mostly north/northeast around three or four miles per hour, before turning southeast just afternoon.

Sunday is just a little bit different. While temperatures will remain the same, starting in the low-60s/high-50s and climbing into the low-to-mid-80s, the wind will be facing east the entirety of the day, starting in the northeast around five miles per hour, and slowly picking up to seven miles per hour while turning to the southeast.

Humidity should be a non-factor. By the time 10 a.m. rolls around, humidity drops into the mid 40s, which is considered close to perfect.

— Jon Hoefling, USA Today

These fan outfits are on point

Fans from across Europe and the United States are packing Marco Simone all week, clad in red, white and blue for the Americans and blue and yellow for the Europeans. Some fans take it to the next level, dressing up in ways that only pictures can describe.

The fans going all out for the event is part of the reason why the Ryder Cup is the grand event it is.

Here’s a look at some of our faves from the week.

— Cameron Jourdan

Remembering Rory McIlroy's 2009 comments (and seeing his reactions now)

Team Europe golfer Tommy Fleetwood and golfer Rory McIlroy celebrate on the seventeenth green during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It was 2009 when McIlroy, a rising star having just turned 20, was asked at the Irish Open about one day playing on the Ryder Cup team. His answer was not well received.

“It’s not a huge goal of mine,” he said. “It’s an exhibition at the end of the day. In the big scheme of things it’s not that important of an event for me.”

Oops!

McIlroy was able to laugh at those comments this week. He’s now Europe’s most experienced player. This is his seventh Ryder Cup, one more than Justin Rose. Europe is 4-2 in Ryder Cups in which McIlroy has played.

He celebrated in style on Friday, hugging Tommy Fleetwood after the duo clinched an early point and then showing more emotion and humility as he watched Matt Fitzpatrick lead the way while earning another point in the afternoon.

It was a stark contrast to those 2009 remarks.

“I took a bit of grief for those comments, and rightfully so,” he said. “I was just so focused on myself and trying to get my career off the ground that I felt like I had sort of bigger and better things to achieve for my individual goals … that I just didn’t put any emphasis on making a Ryder Cup team until you make one. And then you never want to be off one again.”

— Adam Schupak

Shots fired

Jon Rahm of Team Europe and Brooks Koepka of Team United States shake hands on the 18th green during the Friday afternoon fourball matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 29, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

“So yeah. I mean, I want to hit a board and pout just like Jon Rahm did. But, you know, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we’re adults. We move on,” said Brooks Koepka after Friday’s action.

If things were emotional and chippy yet, they’re about to be.

An ugly first: U.S. failed to win a match Friday

'Little bit of Seve magic'

The European team room has a locker for the late, legendary Seve Ballesteros, which includes the last shirt the Spaniard ever wore for Team Europe.

Over eight appearances for the continental all-stars, Ballesteros earned a 20-12-5 record and provided some moments that will go down in the event’s illustrious history. Ballesteros would’ve been proud of his fellow countryman Jon Rahm on Friday as the big man from the Basque region created some highlights of his own.

Rahm chipped in three times over the first two sessions and made two eagles down the stretch in his fourball match alongside Nicolai Hojgaard against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka. The last eagle was straight out of Seve’s playbook.

What makes the putt even better is before the putt, the rookie Hojgaard went up to Rahm and said, “Do it just like Seve would.”

“There was definitely a little bit of Seve magic on that one,” said Rahm with a smile. “He definitely pulled that one towards the hole.”

Jon Rahm's hole-out chip was bueno

Jon Rahm’s short game has been on point all day on Friday.

The Spaniard holed out twice from off the green during his foursomes victory in the first match of the day as he and Tyrrell Hatton knocked off Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.

Rahm did it again in the afternoon. At the drivable par-4 16th hole, Rahm smashed his drive 307 yards but left himself a 21-yard chip from the rough. He popped it on to the green and watched as it crashed into the stick and dropped in for eagle. It probably would’ve rolled off the green had it not made a beeline for the flag.

Rahm erupted in celebration, pumping his fist and screaming in delight. The chip-in tied his match with two holes to play against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka and sent the crowd into a rousing version of Ole Ole Ole. Definitely one of the highlights of a spirited back-and-forth match. — Adam Schupak

Celebrities at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club

Along with the best golfers in the world, a number of top celebrities have been spotted at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome on Friday.

Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale, and Carlos Sainz Jr. were seen cheering for Team Europe. The 24-time Grand Slam champion even asked Tommy Fleetwood for a photo.

— Elizabeth Flores, USA Today

Scottie Scheffler hoping putter makes difference

Team USA golfer Scottie Scheffler prepares to putt on the eighth hole during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After losing in Friday foursomes with his buddy Sam Burns, Scottie Scheffler is in a dogfight on Friday afternoon, paired with Brooks Koepka in fourball against Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard.

Scheffler’s putter has betrayed him in recent events and after the Tour Championship, he called one of golf’s leading putting coaches, Englishman Phil Kenyon. A few days later they began working in Dallas on his putting woes.

Kenyon confirmed what Schefflers thought might be wrong.

“The way I moved the putter through the ball, I was kind of fighting the toe rising on the putter as I went through, and so sometimes I’d miss contact a little bit in the heel,” he explained. “In order for me to try to keep my putter head low, the way I would do it is I feel everything in my hands, and what I would do is I would lower my hands. But when I lowered my hands, it actually caused the toe of the putter to go higher and higher. So as the year went on, my hands are getting lower and lower, and the problem is getting worse and worse.

“It was something I couldn’t figure out, and it was preventing me from hitting as many putts on line as I should have.”

Here’s more on the story.

— Adam Schupak

Matt Fitzpatrick on fire

You might be shocked to learn this, but Matt Fitzpatrick put up a gooseegg at the 2021 Ryder Cup. Safe to say that won’t be happening this year.

The Englishman made par on the first hole of his fourball match alongside Rory McIlroy against Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele before rattling off five consecutive birdies to take a 5-up lead through six holes. That’s right, 5 up through six, solely with Fitzpatrick’s ball. McIlroy’s along for the ride early and enjoying every second of it. — Adam Woodard

Socks, head covers and fans on point

Sure, the American side struggled mightily in the opening session on Friday, but oh, the accessories.

Here’s a quick look at some of the early fun from our Adam Schupak:

— Golfweek

Media shuttles run slow amid Marco Simone madness

Spectators watch during the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Presumably then, that means embarking on that ancient practice of hanging around at a stop and waiting on a press shuttle bus.

The ferrying of the media masses from various hotels to the Marco Simone club has been as chaotic as the chariot race in Ben Hur.

The 6 a.m. local bus turned up at 7 – yes, the golf writers are up at that time even though some are just rolling in – the 7:30 bus left at 7:15 and the 8 a.m. one didn’t appear at all.

As you can imagine, the tempers among the scribbling brethren are beginning to fray. What was it old Caesar said again?

“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.”

Oh b******s, I’ve just missed another bus.

— Nick Rodger, The Scotland Herald

Ludvig Aberg's first Ryder Cup experience 'a lot of fun'

Team Europe golfer Ludvig Aberg celebrates after making his putt on the ninth green during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When European captain Luke Donald announced Ludvig Aberg as one of his six captain’s picks, he mentioned Aberg “has the potential to be one of golf’s superstars.”

Donald played with Aberg at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit and was blown away by his game. The captain challenged the youngster to head across the pond to play more. It earned him a berth on the team.

Aberg is one of four making their Ryder Cup debuts for Europe, along with Nicolai Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka.

For the Texas Tech product, his first action didn’t disappoint. After he shook off some early nerves, Aberg teamed with Viktor Hovland for a 4-and-3 crunching of Max Homa and Brian Harman.

“The crowds were unbelievable here today, and we could really feel that support and that’s what we need to keep winning points here in Rome,” Aberg said after the win. “So it was a lot of fun today.”

Here’s more on Aberg’s meteoric rise.

— Cameron Jourdan and Tim Schmitt

Friday afternoon pairings feature Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas

Team USA golfer Jordan Spieth (left) and golfer Justin Thomas (right) laugh during the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

All 24 players are getting in on the action on Day 1 as the four players for each team who sat in the morning will feature in the afternoon, most notably the American duo of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Meanwhile, European captain Luke Donald hasn’t rolled out any of the same pairings from the morning sweep for the afternoon. Interesting.

Check out all four matchups here.

— Adam Woodard

Zach Johnson reacts to Europe's perfect start

Team USA has led after the opening session of the past four Ryder Cups, but things are wildly different in Rome. After Rory McIlory stuffed his approach on the 17th, Europe put the finishing touches on a perfect 4-0 sweep.

It’s the first sweep since 2018, when Europe posted the same results in Friday afternoon foursomes.

Captain Zach Johnson said he’s confident in his team’s ability to rebound.

“Adversity is something that I relish,” said Johnson. “I know it’s something this team relishes. There’s nothing wrong when your back’s against the wall. It’s about execution. It’s about banding together It’s about going out there and fighting. This team … I’ve got fighters.”

— Beth Ann Nichols 

And there's a third European point

Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka never trailed in their match against California kids Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa en route to a 2-and-1 win that put the third point on the board for the Europeans. The Americans made five birdies and six bogeys and didn’t put up much of a fight.

 

Team Europe puts first points on the board

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton shellacked good buddies Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns, 4 and 3, to put the first point on the board for the Europeans. Rahm and Hatton never trailed and the Americans won just one hole.

Just minutes later the Scandinavian pairing of Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg added a 4-and-3 win of their own over a pair of American rookies in Max Homa and Brian Harman to give the Euros an early lead in the session.

Hovland and Aberg claimed the first two holes but the Americans bounced back to square the match with wins at the third and fourth. The Euros stayed consistent with two more wins on Nos. 5 and 6 and never looked back.

Why Luke Donald chose foursomes for the opening session

European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald did a strange thing by leading off with foursomes, in the opinion of many pundits, including Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee.

It’s the first time since 1993 that the European team has chosen to open the Ryder Cup with foursomes rather than fourball.

“It’s pretty simple really, we feel like as a team, statistically, we are stronger in foursomes within our team than we would be in fourballs,” Donald explained of the decision. “Why not get off to a fast start? That’s it.”

Chamblee, speaking on Golf Channel’s “Live From,” called it “a mistake.”

“It is very important to win the first session from a momentum standpoint. But it’s significantly more important to lead after the first day. If you go back to 1997 to present, starting with fourballs allowed them to end with a strength on the first day, and mostly they’ve dominated in the foursomes,” Chamblee argued. “If you win the first session, you win the Ryder Cup about 60 percent of the time. But if you win the first day, you win 70 percent of the time. So in one fell swoop, he’s potentially thrown away a 10 percent chance, which is a monumental advantage given to the European side, and I think that’s a mistake.”

For all their success in the Cup, the Euros haven’t led after an opening session since 2006. But in the last four Cups at home, the Euros have bested the Americans in the foursomes format by a score of 22.5-9.5.

It’s early but there is a lot of blue on the board – all four matches at present – so maybe Donald knew what he was doing after all. — Adam Schupak

What's better: Hovland's first-hole chip in or Lowry's reaction?

Viktor Hovland was in the second match of the day alongside rookie Ludvig Aberg and gave the Euros an early lead against Max Homa and Brian Harman with a chip-in birdie on the first hole.

As if these fans needed more juice to get the day going.

The shot was impressive, don’t get me wrong, but was it better than Shane Lowry’s reaction on the first tee? You be the judge. — Adam Woodard

Scenes from the first tee early on Friday morning

It’s one of the coolest scenes not just in golf but all of sports, in my humble opinion, to be in the grandstands at the first tee for the start of the Ryder Cup. The songs, the cheers, the laughs. FOMO is a serious motivator to wake up for this spectacle.

European Ryder Cup vice captain Nicolas Colsaerts led a series of cheers from the first tee but the fans didn’t need much help. In the shadow of the Eternal City and with the sun rising out of the East, fans, many of them cloaked in flags from their various countries, chanted old standbys such as “I believe that we will win,” “Tommy-Tommy-Tommy,” and of course, “Ole, Ole, Ole.”

It warmed my heart to hear “We have two Molinaris,” for the brothers Edoardo and Francesco, who are both serving as vice captains in their homeland, and “Walking in a Lowry Wonderland,” had Shane’s father all smiles. It was a little under two hours of waiting to see all of four tee shots but it was glorious fun and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow morning. — Adam Schupak

Scheffler gets it going

Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler got things going by teeing off first. He’s teamed with Sam Burns while the Europeans countered with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. Scheffler almost chipped in for birdie on the first green, his ball moving a bit too fast before lipping out. The two sides halved the first hole.

Fans are out in force ... and the gates aren't even open

It’s zero-dark-30 in Rome and yet the fans were ready to rumble. Not far the famed Colosseum, golf’s gladiators are raring to go at the first day of the 44th Ryder Cup.

The gates didn’t open until 6:30 a.m. for the opening session of foursomes matches, but the fans were lined up. It reminded me of the WM Phoenix Open on Saturday. But the wait will be worth it if you get a spot in the grandstand circling the first tee. It’s one of the coolest scenes in sports. — Adam Schupak 

It's almost time

How to watch, format schedule

(Photo: : Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

For the first two days at the 2023 Ryder Cup, the matches will begin at 1:35 a.m. ET on Friday (10:35 p.m. on Thursday for those viewers on the West Coast.

Here's what players see walking to the first tee at Marco Simone

Our columnist Eamon Lynch has been on-site at Marco Simone all week and captured a walking tour of what the entrance looks like for those who will make the trek.

—  Todd Kelly

Can Rory McIlroy lead Team Europe to victory?

Rory McIlroy embraces Tommy Fleetwood of Team Europe on the 18th green after finishing their practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 26, 2023, in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Sergio Garcia – gone. Ian Poulter – gone. Lee Westwood – gone.

He might not be the oldest player on the roster – Justin Rose at 43 is – but this is Rory McIlroy’s team.

This will be the seventh time he puts on the Blue and Yellow, and now he has to take the reins.

Across McIlroy’s first six appearances, he’s gone 12-12-4 and 3-2-1 in Sunday singles. Nothing to turn your nose up at, but probably not good enough in his eyes.

The record took a beating two years ago at Whistling Straits, a week that saw McIlroy go 1-3-0 – his only win coming Sunday against Xander Schauffele – and being benched for the first time in his Ryder Cup career as he watched Saturday foursomes from the sidelines.

He gave an emotional interview afterward, letting fans across the globe know what this event means to him. The difference this time around is he’s coming into the week in fantastic form.

Since tying for 47th at the Wells Fargo Championship in early May, McIlroy has made 12 worldwide starts. He’s finished outside the top 10 once – T-16 at the Irish Open – and added a stellar come-from-behind win at the Scottish Open.

Rome is the perfect opportunity for McIlroy to put the world on notice.

This is just one of five burning questions about the Ryder Cup we’re dying to get answers for this weekend.

— Riley Hamel

Paul Azinger says Euros 'are the favorite by a mile'

United States team captain Paul Azinger and members of the team after winning the 2008 Ryder Cup at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. (Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press)

NBC lead analyst Paul Azinger, who was the winning U.S. captain at home in 2008, said he couldn’t believe the U.S. is being judged as the favorite.

“The Euros are the favorite by a mile,” Azinger said. “They have the home course advantage, and that’s becoming a huge thing.

“This is an emotional event for the players,” he continued. “It means the world to them. I think for Europe it’s immeasurable what it means for them to win the Ryder Cup. I think it’s more measurable for the Americans. I always feel that Europe should be the favorite in these events.”

Azinger’s thoughts weren’t echoed by everyone, though. Here’s what others had to say about who should be the Ryder Cup favorite.

— Adam Schupak

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