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Ryder Cup 2023: Max Homa and Brian Harman Win First Match for Team USA

Brian Harman at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Brian Harman at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Max Homa and Brian Harman secured the first full point for Team USA in their 2023 Ryder Cup match against Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry. While both Teams were on equal footing on the front nine, Harman and Homa gained the upper hand on the back nine with two birdies and an eagle in a row.

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Max Homa and Brian Harman at the Ryder Cup 2023

Q. Many congratulations, the first full point for Team USA. How big, how special does this moment feel?

MAX HOMA: It’s good. We needed something to go our way. I felt like we were ready this morning. We were ready to come out and play some great golf which we did. Somebody had to start a spark, so I’m just glad it was us.

Q. How fired up were you?

BRIAN HARMAN: Yeah, Ludvig has been playing so well, making so many putts, chipping in, so it was good to come out and at least put red up on the board.

Q. Describe the vibe in the U.S. camp? What was the intensity level heading out?

MAX HOMA: Great. We know how good we are. Everybody knows how good the man to my left is. We obviously are in a big hole but we have the right guys to dig ourselves out of it.

Q. Can this give the team the spark you need?

BRIAN HARMAN: Hope so. We are going to rest up and get ready for this afternoon.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Team Europe overruns its American opponents

Tommy Fleetwood won his match alongside Rory McIlroy. (Photo: Getty)
Tommy Fleetwood won his match alongside Rory McIlroy. (Photo: Getty)

The second round of Foursomes is behind the 24 players of the Ryder Cup 2023. While Luke Donald continued to rely on the pairings of the previous day, Zach Johnson put his players together in new pairings. However, these remained largely unsuccessful on the second day. Only Max Homa and Brian Harman secured a point for the American team. The Europeans, meanwhile, appear unstoppable.

Europe vs USA
9,5   2,5

Ryder Cup 2023: The four Foursomes of Saturday

Europe Ergebnis USA
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg  9 & 7 Europe Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka

Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg are making history. After winning points in the first round on Friday, the Scandinavian duo delivered a flawless performance from the start on Saturday as well, leaving their rivals no chance. Undeterred by the fact that they were up against the world’s No. 1 and a reigning major champion, the young duo scored hole after hole to claim the highest foursome victory in Ryder Cup history. After only eleven holes played, it was clear that Team USA had no chance in this duel. With Hovland and Aberg, a new dream duo was born.

Europe Ergebnis USA
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood 2 & 1 Europe Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas

Rory McIlroy remains undefeated at the Ryder Cup 2023. Teaming up with Tommy Fleetwood, he secured the next point for the European account on the morning of the second day. Facing a challenge from Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, the pair went head-to-head at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. In the end, the Team Europe players had the edge.

Europe Ergebnis USA
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka 4 & 2 USA Max Homa and Brian Harman

First point win for Team USA: Max Homa and Brian Harman broke the Americans’ losing streak and claimed the first full point win for the defending champions. While the team was still on par with their European rivals, Lowry and Straka, on the front nine, they quickly developed into the favorites of the match on the back nine. They finished the match with a birdie on the par-3 16th to celebrate Team USA’s first win.

Europe Ergebnis USA
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton 2 & 1 Europe Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele

The match between Rahm/Hatton and Cantlay/Schauffele was exciting until the last second. Although the Europeans were clearly superior in the meantime, the Americans fought their way back on the back nine. Both teams showed nerves of steel under the enormous pressure situation and challenged each other to top performances. On the par-3 17th, Rahm finally put his tee shot to the flag, while Schauffele failed to birdie the equally successful tee shot of his team partner Cantlay. Point number 3 for Europe on Saturday morning.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Aberg and Hovland with Historic Foursome Win

Victor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg will make history at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Victor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg will make history at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Unbelievable. On the second day of the 2023 Ryder Cup, Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland make golf history. In the morning foursomes, the two Scandinavians dominated against none other than world number one Scottie Scheffler and his teammate Brooks Koepka. With a 9&7, the two Europeans swept the US boys off the course and thus ensured the highest Foursomes victory in the history of the Ryder Cup.

Sensational performance at the 2023 Ryder Cup by Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland

Nobody would have expected this result in a match in which Scottie Scheffler competed. The ‘9Up’ on the eleventh hole decided the record match in favor of the young Europeans. In the run-up to the match, it seemed likely that the pairing of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka would have a good chance of winning the first match for Team USA at the 2023 Ryder Cup against the inexperienced Scandinavians. But Aberg and Hovland had other plans.

The failure of the US-Americans is historic. The dispatch with 9&7 is the highest win at the Foursomes in the history of the Ryder Cup. Both Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland played outstanding golf on the second day of the Ryder Cup. On the other hand, Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka also played well below their capabilities and thus enter the history books of the Ryder Cup.

“We’re meeting two strong guys, No. 1 in the world and five-time major champ, so we tried to not give them anything, and we played really, really solid”, Hovland said after their round. “Obviously we didn’t meet a sharp Scottie and Brooks but we played some really nice golf today.”

“I don’t think we could have done a whole lot better. It’s nice to kind of speak our own language and we understand each other. Obviously same humour, same culture. Ludvigs’s a stud. He doesn’t miss a shot, so it’s easy when I’m playing well and he’s playing well and we are just feeding off of each other.”

Ludvig Aberg couldn’t quite believe what was happening. “For me it’s unbelievable, but obviously today was quite surreal at times. Almost pinch myself at times but obviously super happy with it and looking forward to this afternoon.”

Scottie Scheffler reacts emotionally to historic defeat

Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland put pressure on the two US Americans right at the start of the match. After Team Europe won four foursomes the day before, the confidence of the two Europeans was palpable. The first four holes all went to the duo from Scandinavia, on the front nine the two played five birdies and were already in the lead with ‘7Up’. On the back nine, two quick birdies and the resulting hole wins followed and the historic match had already come to an end. After the record defeat Scottie Scheffler let his emotions run free.

Team Europe is off to a historically good start in the 2023 Ryder Cup, putting itself in an ideal position for the remainder of the tournament. Team USA, on the other hand, urgently needs to find its way into the tournament in order to increase the pressure on the Europeans and still turn the tide.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Ludvig Aberg inspires with near ace

Ludvig Aberg delivers at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Ludvig Aberg delivers at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Ludvig Aberg is probably the surprise in the European team. Thanks to his successes as a newly turned professional, the Swede had virtually booked a direct ticket for the Ryder Cup team. The scores in his first months as a professional speak for themselves, but the atmosphere at the Ryder Cup and the pressure on the players are a different matter.

Aberg, however, already proved in his first round at the 2023 Ryder Cup that he is up to the task and presented himself from his best side on Friday morning alongside Viktor Hovland. The Scandinavian duo will also compete in the Foursomes on Saturday morning – with Aberg running at full speed.

Ryder Cup 2023: Just inches away from dream shot

‘5up’ after six holes played. The young Scandinavians give their seasoned opponents, Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, no chance at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. The icing on the cake: Ludvig Aberg missed the ace on the first par-3 of the day by a hair’s breadth.

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Ryder Cup 2023 – Rory McIlroy: “At least I contributed twice”

Rory McIlroy und Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy und Matt Fitzpatrick at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

Team Europe has made a strong showing at the Ryder Cup 2023 in Italy. After the Foursomes in the morning ended with 4:0 for the Europeans, the hosts defended the lead strongly in the Fourballs in the afternoon. Rory McIlroy, who did not start too well into the tournament, won both of his matches – in the morning together with Tommy Fleetwood, in the afternoon with Matt Fitzpatrick. The afternoon match in particular caused quite a stir, as the two Europeans literally overran the guests on the front nine. Read the interview with McIlroy and Fitzpatrick.

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Ryder Cup 2023: McIlroy and Fitzpatrick thrilled about Team Europe’s great start

Q. Mat, Rory, incredible performance, relief, elation, what does this mean for you personally and for Europe?

Matt Fitzpatrick: For me, it’s very, very special, and to play with this man, and to get out to the start that we did, yeah, just phenomenal.

Q. A hot start, Rory, as far as Ryder Cup Matches, where does that rank for you, and near the top, I’m sure?

Rory McIlroy: Yeah, absolutely amazing. You know, for the first nine holes I was trying to hang on to this man’s coattails. I said to him walking up 10, “At least I contributed twice.”

And then the boys made a few birdies, you know, on the back nine there and we had to just sort of hang in and hit some good, solid shots down the stretch.

But yeah, I mean, just a great day in front of some amazing home fans, and I said to Fitzy there, you know, for his first point for Europe, I’m happy that I was the one to get it with him. Proud of how him and I played, and we just have to go out and regroup for tomorrow.

Q. Going out in four-balls this afternoon gave you some freedom, didn’t it?

Matt Fitzpatrick: Yeah, absolutely, my first four-balls match. I was laughing to Rory, what do we do here. I’m just so excited to be out here, and it’s very different playing a home Ryder Cup than away to. Have the fans cheering you on makes a hell of a difference.

Q. First point in Ryder Cup competition, you got off to a hot start, what was working so well for you early on?

Matt Fitzpatrick: Six one-putts in a row is normally a big help. Yeah, felt really good with the putter on the front nine and just got off to a really hot start.

Q. Why did this pairing work so well for you today?

Rory McIlroy: Matt and I have known each other for a long time now. We have played, yeah, this is our third Ryder Cup Team together, and yeah, it’s a really comfortable pairing. I’ve been so lucky with the two partners that I’ve had with Tommy in the morning and this man, the start that he got off to, I was trying to hang on to his coattails. I contributed a couple of times there around the turn and thankfully we did enough to get it done.

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Ryder Cup 2023: How Seve Inspired Jon Rahm’s Two Eagles

Jon Rahm at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Foto: Getty)
Jon Rahm at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Foto: Getty)

Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard battled Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Kopeka in the fourballs at the 2023 Ryder Cup. Despite eight birdies and two eagles, the Europeans only got half a point out of the incredible match, that had more than one highlight.

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Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Q. Many, many congratulations on an incredible match. You chipped in at 16 to make eagle at the last. How is it possible for you guys to produce these kind of things under this sort of pressure?

JON RAHM: I don’t know. I don’t know. You know, it’s the intention of the moment, right, and then the fact that something happens is truly unique. I’ve got to give Nicolai props because over here on 18, he gave me the freedom to basically go at it, and he told me to hit a putt, try to make it. And he said, “What would Seve do,” right, “do it for Seve.” I don’t know if he would have quite made it like that, but I’m sure glad that it went in.

Q. Your first experience at Ryder Cup, just describe that experience from your point of view, obviously playing with the world No. 3 in a match that was incredibly thrilling?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: Yeah, it was a good match out there today. We hung in there on the front nine, played some good golf, Rahmbo took over the last few holes. Yeah, it’s pretty cool to share the stage with Rahmbo. He’s a great player, great person, and yeah, it’s a special week so far.

Q. How I am interprets pressed with your rookie Ryder Cup here, different type of pressure and you’ve handled it so beautifully?

JON RAHM: We wouldn’t have had a chance if it wasn’t for him on the front nine. I got that up-and-down on 5, which he might have made it himself and kind of road his back the rest of the front nine, his four birdies, and the chances I had, I didn’t really take advantage of.

I mean, he says I took over, but he did his part, right. He made the crucial shots when he needed to and to give us a chance. It’s a partnership and he did 50 per cent and I tried to do my part on the last 50 per cent.

Q. What’s it like to be part of that team room? The atmosphere is incredible, I’m sure?

NICOLAI HØJGAARD: Yeah, it is. I love team golf. I’ve played it my whole life, and to be part of this, the best golf event, being part of Team Europe, being part of these great players and great guys, it’s very special. I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Europeans remain undefeated on Friday

Bright smiles after the tension has been released for Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton. (Photo: Getty)
Bright smiles after the tension has been released for Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton. (Photo: Getty)

In the morning, the Europeans gave their opponents no chance and made history with a score of 4 to 0. In the afternoon, the fourball matches for the stars were on the agenda. Here, Team USA made it much more difficult for the host team. While the duo McIlroy/Fitzpatrick won a clear point for Europe, the three remaining flights provided for highest tension. Team Europe secured a shared point three times at the last moment.

Europe vs USA
4   0

Ryder Cup 2023: High Voltage on the 18th Green

Europe Result USA
Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton  4 & 3 Europa Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth

As the first flight of the tournament, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton made it to the 18th hole of the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in a duel against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. Both the European and American teams were ahead at times, but each relinquished the lead. Finally, on the decisive 18, it looked as if Team USA would win the whole point, but Viktor Hovland holed a last, long putt and thus saved a half point for Team Europe. One person in particular was delighted: Shane Lowry, who did not play in the afternoon, was visibly cheering along with his teammates.

Europe Result USA
Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard  4 & 3 Europa Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka

Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard delivered at least as exciting a finish to share the point. In the duel against world number 1 Scottie Scheffler and LIV player Brooks Koepka, there was no clear favorite over 18 holes. In the end, the Americans dominated the match, which spurred Jon Rahm on to top performance. After already causing a roaring crowd with a chip-in eagle on hole 16, he also holed out for an eagle on hole 18 to secure another half point for the hosts.

Europe Result USA
Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose  2 & 1 Europa Max Homa and Wyndham Clark

The final four players on the course early Friday evening were Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose in play against Max Homa and Wyndham Clark. Those two duos also turned in similarly strong performances, leaving Team USA teeing off at ‘1up’ on the 18th tee. But all good things come in threes: In this flight, too, the Europeans grabbed a half point at the last second, sending the American team into the second day without a single full point.

Europe Result USA
Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick  2 & 1 Europa Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele

The only full point for the Europeans was secured in the afternoon by Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick in their battle against Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. The duel was already over after 15 holes, because the Americans had no chance against McIlroy and Fitzpatrick. Matt Fitzpatrick in particular delivered a flawless performance on Friday afternoon and gave Team Europe an early lead. At times they dominated the duel with ‘6up’.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Viktor Hovland and Tyrrel Hatton Deliver Incredible Finish

Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland went up against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland went up against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

In a tight match at the 2023 Ryder Cup against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton secured half a point, after going 2 Down on the back nine. They were paired together on Friday afternoon in the fourballs.

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Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Q. Try to describe for us what goes through your mind and your body when you hole such a crucial putt on the 18th in front of this enormous crowd?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: It was about time the ball went in. I felt like we played some really good golf today, and the Americans played some great golf as well and they kept pushing us and yeah, — to make a putt like that on the last hole that was huge for the team.

Q. 2 DOWN and five to play; Tyrrell, how deep did you have to dig against such a formidable pairing? They have never been beaten in four-ball.

TYRRELL HATTON: Yeah, it was always going to be a tough task. But we both played great today. And like he said, it was nice to finally see a putt go in there on the last. It was a tough match but we just kept plugging away, gave ourselves opportunities and yeah, ultimately by the end we’re happy with half a point.

VIKTOR HOVLAND: I thought one of us needed to make the putt and to make that one was really cool. Put a little bit more pressure on J.T. there.

Q. Both of you won your matches this morning. How much does it mean to still contribute something this afternoon?

TYRRELL HATTON: Yeah, the team went out this afternoon in a good mood. Although we found ourselves 2 DOWN through, what is it, 13? We feel like we played decent and putts weren’t really dropping for us.

So yeah, obviously Viktor to hole the putt on the last was amazing. I think I almost corkscrewed into the ground fist-pumping. Yeah, they might need to prepare that one before anyone has that putt.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Tommy Fleetwood: “Playing with Rory McIlroy is a dream for anybody”

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood kept the momentum going and completed the European clean sweep in the Friday Foursomes at the 2023 Ryder Cup. The finished their match against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 2&1, after the Americans gave them a fight on the final holes.

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Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood at the Ryder Cup 2023

Q. Rory, you’ve just beaten a pair that were previously 5-0 in foursomes play to complete a clean sweep for Europe. How special is this moment?

RORY McILROY: It’s been an unbelievable session. We switched the format this year to go foursomes first because statistically that’s our better session. And all week, all we’ve been talking about is getting off to fast starts. Playing three-hole matches in practise, three holes, go again, three holes, go again, something that Luke’s drilled into us. We were ready to go from the first tee shot as obviously as you can see in how everyone played.

I’m so proud of this man alongside me. He can play with anyone. I’m just so happy that he’s my partner this week and so happy to get a point on the board for Europe.

Q. There are always turning points and you’re playing 15, looked like you were going to lose it. You turned it into a victory. The adrenaline rush when the putt went in?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Waiting for a moment like that all today to be honest. Especially the start of the back nine where we were playing so well, I felt like I had two or three chances that I let go by. So I kept them in it, really. You’re not going to hole more unless you have a really good day.

Was due one. Felt really good over it. It’s just one of those Ryder Cup moments, really, and that’s what we’re playing for. It’s really cool. Rory is an unbelievable golfer.

Q. Talk us through that shot, the match was very tense, 1 up, two holes to play. Magnificent shot you hit. Tell us about your point of view?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, if anything, my poor shot recently has been a right shot. So I kept it simple: Keep a strong clubface going back, and fully release it on the way through, aim at the target and it never left the flag.

Q. That was the closest of four, you just pulled out the fourth straight blue point. You spoke about how determined you are to play differently and perform differently as a team as you did at Whistling Straits. How satisfying is this morning’s performance?

RORY McILROY: Amazing to sweep a session. I can’t remember the last time Europe has done that. We can’t get complacent at all. This is an unbelievably long American Team. Last week the American girls went up 4-0 in the first session there and Europe were able to come back, so we are not taking anything for granted here. It’s a great start but we need to keep our foot on the pedal and keep winning points.

Q. You’re undefeated in foursomes the in the Ryder Cup. How does Fleetwood Mac compare to Mollywood?

TOMMY FLEETWOOD: Just keep picking your partners, that’s the secret. Obviously playing with Rory is a dream for anybody, and I was the one that got to do that this morning.

Yeah, we’ve known we are going to play together for a while and just getting out there, felt like we actually played very, very good and felt like we were in control all the way. Obviously there are turning points and we needed one towards the end but yeah, just pleased to play with another great partner.

Q. Xander and Patrick were doing everything they could to get a halve, how clutch was your response on the tee at 17?

RORY McILROY: I have hit a lot of good shots in my time. That’s right up there. I didn’t know how close Patrick had hit his but I just wanted to give Tommy a chance to at least stay 1 UP going down the last. I was pretty certain we weren’t going to go down the last, but if I keep hitting iron shots like that, then I’m going to have a pretty good week.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland on using the crowds for their advantage

Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)
Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup. (Photo: Getty)

The Scandinavian duo Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland proved a success in Friday morning at the 2023 Ryder Cup. Against Max Homa and Brian Harman they brought home a 4&3 victory, making the second point for Team Europe. The Europeans secured all four possible points in the foursome matches.

Quotes from Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Q. Is the Ryder Cup as incredible as you thought it would be?

LUDVIG ÅBERG: I think so. 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, so it was a lot of fun today.

Q. How does it feel whether you’re out here are the energy from the crowd and the momentum Europe had, how much did you really ride that through the course that match?

VIKTOR HOVLAND: It was such a big difference compared to Whistling Straits. Normally I keep my head down and just play, but I’m trying to really get the crowds going and just use them because they want you to play well and they want to support you. So it was such a good start, and we’re going to keep it going.

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