Ryder Cup: Spectators flock to the course for the start of the 2023 tournament
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood continued their partnership this morning in Rome, but they face a stiff test against the established Ryder Cup pairing of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth of the USA in the morning’s first match.
Europe took a historic 6½-1½ overnight lead with a stunning display of dominance at the Marco Simone Golf Club yesterday, sweeping four mornings, and so it was no surprise when captain Luke Donald threw exactly four pairs now.
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg continued their Scandinavian bromance in the second match against the heavyweight combination of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka. Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka continued their partnership against Max Homa and Brian Harman, who struggled yesterday. Finally Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will take on Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay to round out the foursomes for the morning.
Follow all the action from day two of the 2023 Ryder Cup below. Get all the latest golf betting sites have to offer HERE.
Justin Thomas after the disappointment of the USA on Friday
“It wasn’t the start we wanted but luckily for us, we still have a lot of golf left. Let’s just sleep, regroup and try to win as many points as possible tomorrow.
“Tomorrow is important. We put ourselves in a place where every session is very important and yes, at the end of the day, all anyone can do is control their game.
“You can’t win more than one point in a match, and just go out and do your job and win as much as possible tomorrow and you’ll be back at it in singles.”
Lawrence OstlerSeptember 30, 2023 05:53
Ryder Cup 2023
The first match of the day is a mouthwatering one: Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are accused of firing the USA’s two days, and they will fight the European pair Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. The ‘Fleetwood Mac’ duo got over the line, just, against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay yesterday morning and it was an important game that set the tone early in the day.
Here’s a closer look at Justin Thomas, who justified his controversial choice of fourballs in the afternoon:
Lawrence OstlerSeptember 30, 2023 05:46
Ryder Cup 2023
However, all is not well in the American camp, as Brooks Koepka hit out at Jon Rahm and labeled his Ryder Cup opponent a “child” for his behavior on the course.
The five-time major winner was disappointed after Team USA wasted more than twice in closing holes in their fourball match against Rahm and rookie Nicolai Hojgaard. Rahm chipped in for eagle on the 16th to square the match and then made another eagle on the 18th after bumping a putt off the backboard before the ball bounced into the hole.
“I mean, I think me and Scottie birdied, what we say, 14, we birdied 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and then lost by two,” said Koepka after the tied match. “Yes it is. I mean, I want to hit a board and pout like Jon Rahm did. But, you know, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we are adults. We will continue.”
Lawrence OstlerSeptember 30, 2023 05:40
Ryder Cup 2023
European players thoroughly enjoyed the scenes on the 18th green on Friday.
They whitewashed America 4-0 in the morning foursomes, and as the sun began to set at the Marco Simone Golf Club, the 18th green became the setting for the late drama of the afternoon’s fourballs. Victor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Justin Rose all made crucial putts at the end to turn losses into ties and ensure the US didn’t win a match on the first day – the first time that had happened at Ryder. Cup.
“The 18th hole was really good to us,” Rose said, after he locked up a 6½-1½ overnight lead in Europe, and celebrated wildly with his teammates looking on. “The boys made some incredible putts. Those three ties meant a lot.”
Lawrence OstlerSeptember 30, 2023 05:30
Ryder Cup 2023 – two days of tee times
It was no surprise when Luke Donald bowled the same four pair for the foursomes this morning that cleaned up the foursomes yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, Zach Johnson shuffled his pack a bit, bringing Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth from the start to face Europe’s Fleetwood Mac duo, and backing them up with the heavyweight combination of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka. .
Here’s how the morning is shaping up (BST times):
6:35am Foursomes match 1: Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy vs Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth
6:50am Foursomes match 2: Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg vs. Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka
7:05am Foursomes match 3: Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka vs. Max Homa and Brian Harman
7:20am Foursomes match 4: Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton vs. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay
Lawrence OstlerSeptember 30, 2023 05:27
Ryder Cup 2023
Follow all the latest updates from day two of the Ryder Cup as Europe look to build on their commanding five-point overnight lead.
Lawrence OstlerSeptember 30, 2023 05:09