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

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.

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 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.

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

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
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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

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.

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 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.

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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Shane Lowry: “I Started Losing My Mind On The First Tee”

Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka are off to a perfect start at the 2023 Ryder Cup. The Irish-Austrian duo defeated Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa with 2&1. In the interview after the first session at the Ryder Cup in Rome, the two speak openly about their nerves and how they enjoyed being celebrated by the fans together at the same time.

Question: How big does this moment feel?

Shane Lowry: Huge, obviously it’s early days but I wanted to give Sepp his moment in the Ryder Cup to hole the pin winning putt. It’s huge. We are off to a great start this morning. We need to keep the foot down. Myself and Sepp gelled well today. Very happy out there with him and enjoyed myself.

Question: Sepp, how much did you enjoy your first taste of a Ryder Cup?

Sepp Straka: Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. Can’t really describe it. The expectations didn’t even come close.

Question: How well did you play together? How comfortable did you feel with each other today?

Shane Lowry: We’ve probably known for maybe a couple of weeks that we might go out this morning together. You know, we played the same golf, all use the same stuff, so kind of made sense. We were similar-type people but I’m a bit more fiery than him. Sepp is very laid back. We enjoyed it out there, and I feel like we played some good golf.

Felt like we dodged a few bullets out there, especially 11 and 12, around then, but you know, you’re going to have that in match play. Just have to dig deep and we did. You know, I would have liked to close out the match earlier because we had good chances, but it was nice to put a point on the board for Europe.

Question: A third blue point on the board for The European Team today. Got to ask you Shane, you stepped out on the first tee and one of the first things you saw was Viktor Hovland chipping in at first. How much did that motivate you?

Shane Lowry: I was trying to stay calm and started losing my mind on the first tee. Yeah, for a guy they say can’t chip, Viktor did all right on that hole.

Look, we are very happy with our start today and obviously there’s a lot of golf to be played from here. We talked about getting off to a fast start and we have done.

Question: How are the nerves hitting the first tee shot in your first Ryder Cup?

Sepp Straka: Very. Very nervous. Yeah, couldn’t even really describe. The blood was flowing. Heartbeat was up. Thankfully I made contact with the ball, so I think that’s a win.

Question: You didn’t play foursomes at Whistling Straits. How different was this experience today?

Shane Lowry: Yeah, it was cool. Look, I came here with an open mind this week; I’ll do whatever the captain asks me. He wanted me to go out this morning with Sepp.

It’s nice to go around with a Rookie and bring him around the place. I think the last few days got the Rookies ready for what today was going to be like. It was amazing.

It’s my first home Ryder Cup, as well, and obviously last time at Whistling Straits wasn’t the best experience and out there today was just incredible. With the crowd cheering you down every green and every fairway, it’s incredible to have home support.

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

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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Ryder Cup 2023: Jon Rahm narrowly misses hole-in-one

Not only Viktor Hovland seems unstoppable on this Friday morning, but also Jon Rahm inspires with incredible golf. His tee shot from around 180 meters on hole 7 hits the flagstick and just misses the hole-in-one at the Ryder Cup 2023. The birdie after that is just a free skate.

Ryder Cup 2023: Jon Rahm’s almost-hole-in-one in video

It took six holes and an iron shot for Jon Rahm to almost play his way into the Ryder Cup history books. On the par-3, the Spaniard goes straight for the flag with an aggressive shot and hits the line to the stick perfectly. The shot comes up a few feet short of the flag, bounces a few times and then rolls toward the flag. But the speed of the ball seems a bit too high and the golf ball bounces off the flagstick and stays next to the flag for a tap-in.

The spectators in Rome, of course, celebrate the shot and cheer along during the ball flight and many a person cannot believe that this incredible tee shot did not land in the hole.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Historic victory for Team Europe in the Friday Foursomes

The first matches of the Ryder Cup 2023 are played and Team Europe starts with outstanding Foursome-Matches into the tournament. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton led the way, with Hovland/Aberg and Straka/Lowry following suit to secure points for the European team. Lastly Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood beat the previously unbeaten duo of Schauffele/Cantlay in an incredible match.

The historic result with four points from the morning sessions has never been seen before at a Ryder Cup. After the clear defeat two years ago, a real liberation for the European team.

Europa vs USA
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Ryder Cup 2023: The Foursomes of Friday at a glance

Europa Ergebnis USA
Jon Rahm und Tyrrell Hatton  4 & 3 Europa Scottie Scheffler und Sam Burns

The first match of the Ryder Cup 2023 goes clearly to the Europeans. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton get going early and secure the first wins on holes 3 and 5. The only point for Team USA follows on hole 6, one hole before Jon Rahm narrowly missed a hole-in-one. After that, the match was almost decided from a European point of view. With further point wins on holes 11 and 12, the two finished the match early with 4&3 on hole 15.

Europa Ergebnis USA
Viktor Hovland und Ludvig Aberg  4 & 3 Europa Max Homa und Brian Harman

Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg also ended their match early on hole 15. Already on the first hole Hovland showed his current outstanding form and holed out of the semi-rough for birdie after a stumble by Aberg. Hole 2 also went to the two Europeans. With hole wins on holes 3 and 4, Homa and Harman closed the gap early on, but Hovland was unstoppable. All in all, the Scandinavian duo could win three more holes on the front nine, even if Aberg showed his fluttering nerves a few times. On the back nine, the Europeans didn’t give up another point to their opponents and secured another hole win on hole 14. With a shared 15, the match also ends with 4&3.

Europa Ergebnis USA
Sepp Straka und Shane Lowry  2 & 1 Europa Rickie Fowler und Collin Morikawa

The European duo impressed with an outstanding front nine and five hole wins, with only one point allowed by the Americans on hole 5. They then faltered on the back nine and allowed Fowler and Morikawa to make up three points. After the disappointing 16th hole, Lowry and Straka finally managed to prevail, but had to tremble once more.

Rickie Fowler almost carried the match against Straka and Lowry to the 18th hole. With “2 Up” for Europe it went to hole 17 and Team USA needed a birdie to win the hole. The shot missed the hole by a few centimeters and Straka can book his first Ryder Cup point.

Europa Ergebnis USA
Rory McIlroy und Tommy Fleetwood  2 & 1 Europa Xander Schauffele und Patrick Cantlay

It is probably the most even match of the morning. Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood are engaged in an unparalleled battle with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. Although the Europeans do not give up the lead, Team USA remains constantly within reach. This is also the case on hole 16, when Team USA can once again cut the lead to 1 down after Fleetwood misses his tee shot into the left water hazard. But McIlroy and Fleetwood manage to do what no one has done before. They beat the previously unbeaten American duo with an outstanding shot on the green of the 17th hole and secure the historic fourth point for Europe.

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2023 Ryder Cup: Jon Rahm about Tyrrell Hatton: “It’s like being in the same brain”

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton put the first point for Europe on the board at the 2023 Ryder Cup. The went head to head with Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns in the first match of the day. Rahm and Hatton didn’t give them much of a chance, finishing the match 4&3 on 15. It was the first of four points Europe made in the morning foursomes.

Quotes from Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton at the 2023 Ryder Cup

Q. How important to get some momentum and blue on the board, how satisfying to get that done?

JON RAHM: Extremely. Extremely. I’ve had a good feeling about Tyrrell all along. Last time we played together it really felt good, and it was good to come out here and perform the way we did. It’s an incredible foursomes match and we played as confident as two people can play, and it was a beautiful one.

Q. Just describe that match from your point of view, Tyrrell, you played some beautiful golf and these massive crowds cheering you on?

TYRRELL HATTON: The atmosphere this morning was incredible. Tee-to-green, I was generally fairly solid. Naturally little bit disappointed with some of the putts I missed. Ultimately we won our point and that was the goal.

Q. You told me in the past when you’re in contention to win a big championship, you get butterflies, but you love them. What’s the feeling you have playing in front of this audience?

JON RAHM: I told Tyrrell, usually the feelings you have down the stretch in a tournament I had hitting my first warm-up put at 6.20 in the morning in the dark, and it increasingly got higher until we hit that tee shot on the first hole. It’s a different feeling, but if you embrace and enjoy it, you can play some pretty good rounds of golf like we did today.

Q. What makes Jon a good partner aside from the shots he hits?

TYRRELL HATTON: He’s obviously very positive between shots, and you know, great company, and he’s always right by your side. So yeah, he’s a great teammate.

Q. What an emphatic performance you put together. You are undefeated in foursomes play in the Ryder Cup. What do you love so much about this format?

JON RAHM: I don’t know. It’s quite stressful but the strongest part of my game is ball-striking, right, and what Tyrrell and I did really well today is hit the shots that we needed. Any time we needed the right shot to change the momentum, we did. You know, that’s the key in match play, right, just keep hitting the right shots at the right time.

Q. We know you two are passionate players but what works so well about this foursomes pairing?

TYRRELL HATTON: I mean, we didn’t really give much away. We were very hard to play against this morning. I think we were four- or five-under, so in foursomes, that’s a good effort. Yeah, it was an enjoyable morning.

Q. The shot on the 7th tee, that came very close. How were your emotions watching a near hole-in-one on Friday at the Ryder Cup?

JON RAHM: I think it might have been too much if it goes in but it got the job ton. I was telling Tyrrell, one of those shots was a perfect number, both seven and eight, and I’m just glad I’m able to hit a tee shot and put it in the same spot. Obviously be amazing to make it.

Some people might wonder why we got paired together recently; we think about the game very similarly and we react to the game very similarly and we understand each other. When one of us misses a shot, we know what’s going on in the other player’s mind. We might vocalise it differently, but at the end of the day it’s the same process. It’s like being in the same brain.