Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE! Latest scores, updates and results 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
McIlroy/Fleetwood vs Thomas/Spieth
Hole 1, Europe 1UP
Thomas just about holds the front of the green with his wedge in, will give Spieth a chance of making par. If not, Europe will have two putts for the opening hole.
Great roll but Spieth burns the edge. We have blue on the board after the first hole!
McIlroy/Fleetwood vs Thomas/Spieth
Hole 1
A Seve Ballesteros tifo in the crowd on the first tee – lovely tribute to the main main.
Further down the opening hole, Spieth had 154 yards to the green from the thick stuff. And he doesn’t even try and reach, lays it up back into the fairway. Advantage Europe.
Fleetwood best part of 30 yards closer. And it’s a superb start! Great look at birdie – Europe eyeing a first start.
McIlroy/Fleetwood vs Thomas/Spieth
Hole 1
It will be Thomas to tee off on the odd holes for the USA. Fairly decent reception for the American duo from the stands around the opening tee.
Looks to be leaking right, is leaking right. That’s sat right down in the rough too, Spieth will have to take a big hack at that.
Over to McIlroy. This is going the opposite way, too much draw? Second cut but the ball is sitting up, looks like an absolutely fine lie.
Luke Donald having the time of his life on the first tee box.
Hitting imaginary shots down the fairway to huge cheers, leading the latest thunderclap. European captain can do no wrong.
Fleetwood and McIlroy have arrived – don’t get a much more popular pairing than these two.
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.