Category: Highlights Tours

Year after year, things happen at the Ryder Cup that wouldn’t happen in ordinary surroundings. The stars set off bombs, save balls and hole putts that would otherwise not fall. The competition always produces magical moments, creating a very special atmosphere. This year was no exception, as the players once again worked their magic on and around the greens. We take a look at the ten most magical moments and most incredible shots.

Ryder Cup 2023: Ten of the biggest goosebump moments

Wasn’t the closest competition of all time but this Ryder Cup had a ton of electric/memorable moments. Rahm ramming an eagle off the back of the cup to win a match on 18 is only No. 8! pic.twitter.com/wnDiqype9q

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) October 2, 2023

Jon Rahm vs. Scottie Scheffler

The world’s No. 1 was set up by his captain in the first match to provide momentum for Team USA and secure an early point. Of course, Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, knew this would happen, so he also lined up his most in-form player at position 1. This meant that Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler were the first to go out on the final day of the 2023 Ryder Cup. In a high-class duel, the Spaniard initially held the cards in his hand after Scheffler missed two short putts and had to give up holes. On the back nine, the lead then changed and the world number one went 1 up on the 18th. On the par-5, however, Rahm then played another birdie, Scheffler could not draw level after his approach into the rough and had to give up half a point at the last moment.

Viktor Hovland vs. Collin Morikawa

With the 4&3 victory of Viktor Hovland over Collin Morikawa, the first point of the day at the Ryder Cup 2023 went to Team Europe. The Norwegian dominated the match from the beginning and was already 3 up after six holes. Morikawa could not really counteract at any time and only shortened on two occasions, but never took the lead himself. Hovland thus takes three points from four matches in his second participation in a Ryder Cup. Especially his historic victory alongside Ludvig Aberg will be remembered.

Justin Rose vs. Patrick Cantlay

Patrick Cantlay cruised to victory for eleven holes against Justin Rose, who had been playing so strongly so far. But then the Englishman finally found his way into the match and put the American, who remained 1 up, under pressure with two hole wins in a row. First Cantlay freed himself a bit on the 14th before Rose hit back directly on the 15th. In the end, however, the European’s deficit could no longer be made up and Cantlay used a strong tee shot on 17 (par-3) to close the bag with 2&1.

Rory McIlroy vs. Sam Burns

Rory McIlroy had already declared before the Ryder Cup 2023 that he wanted to take responsibility and go ahead. And the Northern Irishman did just that on Sunday. Although his opponent, Sam Burns, won four holes for the USA in the course of the match, the duel was over on 17. McIlroy used a strong tee shot on 17 (par-3) to birdie and set an unassailable 3&1. This means McIlroy has four points from five matches – he was the only European to play in all sessions. This is the most ever for the 34-year-old at a Ryder Cup.

Matt Fitzpatrick vs. Max Homa

Matt Fitzpatrick had the first opportunity on the 18th to get the last necessary half point for Team Europe and make his team an early Ryder Cup winner. But his opponent Max Homa saved par after he had to declare a ball unplayable on the final hole. Fitzpatrick narrowly missed the opportunity with a putt from just over four meters, so instead of a shared match, a 1-up win for the USA went on the leaderboard.

Tyrrell Hatton vs. Brian Harman

With Tyrrell Hatton’s victory over Open winner Brian Harmann, Team Europe clinched the 14th point. From then on it was a matter of waiting for at least another half point to win the Ryder Cup 2023. The Englishman was already leading after four holes with 3-up and did not come under serious pressure anymore. The American managed to close the gap to 1down, but then Hatton controlled the action and ended the duel with a hole win on the 16th hole.

Ludvig Aberg vs. Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka had to make up for his defeat on Saturday morning (9&7) with Scottie Scheffler against Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. The five-time Major winner then lived up to his role as favorite against the Swede, who only turned professional four months ago, in the singles match. Koepka went 3 up after eight holes and Aberg only won a hole on the 10th for the first time on this Sunday. Not much more came from the 23-year-old, who nevertheless showed a strong debut at the Ryder Cup. Koepka finished the duel of 16, where a split hole was enough for him.

Sepp Straka vs. Justin Thomas

Sepp Straka had to deal with the multiple Major winner Justin Thomas on Sunday. The German-speaking Ryder Cup debutant did well. Thomas took an early lead, but the Austrian did not let himself be distracted by it. On the back nine, Straka won two holes, one of them with a spectacular eagle, which he called the highlight of his week after the round. In doing so, he cut Thomas’ lead to ‘1Up’. In the end, however, he succumbed to him and Thomas won the match with ‘2Up’.

Nicolai Hojgaard vs. Xander Schauffele

Nicolai Hojgaard started strongly against Xander Schauffele and won two of the first three holes. But then the Olympic champion made a spurt on holes five to seven and turned the match around. However, the Dane hit back immediately and so it was all square on the back nine. Here, however, the American with a German father turned up the heat and, with four birdies on the next seven holes, secured victory over the European Ryder Cup rookie.

Shane Lowry vs. Jordan Spieth

Shane Lowry and Jordan Spieth played an exciting match on Sunday of the Ryder Cup. The American major winner and especially the emotional Shane Lowry created a great atmosphere on the course of the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. While Spieth initially had the upper hand for a long time, Lowry caught up on the back nine, forced Spieth to the 18th green and secured Team Europe a half point with the final putt of the tournament.

Tommy Fleetwood vs. Rickie Fowler

The match between Tommy Fleetwood and Rickie Fowler decided the victory of the European team. Both players played a match on equal terms. In the end, however, Tommy Fleetwood had his nose in front. Team Europe was already at 14 points for a long time and was waiting for redemption. The crowd favorite Tommy Fleetwood won both holes 16 and 17 and thus redeemed players, captains and fans. He didn’t even have to hole his last ball – Rickie Fowler gave his competitor the last short putt for the European victory.

Robert MacIntyre vs. Wyndham Clark

The last flight of the day was Robert MacIntyre and Wyndham Clark. At the beginning of their round Robert MacIntyre showed himself clearly superior and brought his score up to ‘3Up’. However, he lost this clear advantage in the course of the round and so it became exciting again in the final flight. Finally, the 27-year-old Scot decided the match with 2&1 for Europe.

Saturday afternoon in Rome brings a small turnaround in the narrative of the 2023 Ryder Cup so far. The Americans can at least fight their way back into the tournament with three wins in Saturday’s fourballs. Only Ryder Cup veteran Justin Rose secures a point in his match with Robert MacIntyre. Thus, Europe nevertheless goes into the singles matches and the final day in Rome with a comfortable lead.

Ryder Cup 2023: The results of the four Fourballs of Saturday

After the incredible performance in the foursomes with the 9&7 victory over Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, the Scandinavian duo can’t keep their form in the afternoon in the Fourballs. Hovland and Aberg have to fight for every tied hole from the start after the Americans can already take the lead on hole 1. The only point win on the front nine for Team Europe comes on hole 4.  Team USA goes into the back nine with 4Up and Hovland/Aberg fight to stay in the match. At one point it looked like a comeback with scores on holes 13 and 14, but they would have to win every hole to turn the match around. Then on number 15, the par was enough to “All Square” the hole and win the match for Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa. This means that Hovland has to give up the first point in this Ryder Cup 2023.

The match Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard against Max Homa and Brian Harman developed early in favor of the American team. After a few hole losses on the front nine, Team Europe goes into the second half of the round with 4Down. It was not until the back nine that Team Europe was able to catch up and win a few holes. Fleetwood and Hojgaard show strong nerves and fight their way back to the dominating Americans with scores on holes 10 and 14. The first match hole then follows on hole 16, where Harman and Homa could decide the match in their favor. With a strong chip-in, Fleetwood at least temporarily prevents the match loss. At the following hole, however, the Europeans finally have to admit defeat after neither Fleetwood nor Hojgaard could hole the birdie on the par 3. Team USA wins 2&1 and secures the second point of this fourball session.

Rose and MacIntyre start with an exchange of blows on the front nine. Two holes go to the Europeans, Spieth and Thomas can secure two points. But on the back nine, the veteran of Team Europe really turns up the heat and relegates the duo from the USA to the spectator ranks. First, Rose gets the important point on the 10th hole for 1-up, then “Bob” MacIntyre can hole out for a birdie and a win on the 13th hole. Rose then takes the third point of the back nine on hole 14. After that, the two only had to maintain their lead to finally end the match on hole 16. Of course, Justin Rose shows his Ryder Cup strength here as well and holes the putt for a 3&2 win in front of the packed grandstands on the 16th hole.

The moment @JustinRose99 clinched another point for Europe! ☝️#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Als2JpuPVY

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023

Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick find themselves in probably the most even match of the afternoon. The thriller between the Europeans and Cantlay/Clark allows only one hole win for Europe on the front nine. Team USA can secure two holes on the back nine, the most important of which is certainly hole 17 with a nerve-racking putt from around three meters to bring the match to a split on the 18th hole. Team Europe secured another point on hole 14 to make it all square before the final hole. After two weak drives by the Europeans, Cantlay and Clark have every chance to win the 18th hole. Finally Cantlay holes for birdie and Fitzpatrick has the chance for a tie with the birdie putt on the part of the Europeans, after McIlroy already missed the birdie. The putt falls short and the Americans finish the afternoon with three points out of four.