Categories
Highlights Tours Uncategorized

Ryder Cup 2023: Europeans remain undefeated on Friday

Team Europe remains the dominant team at the 2023 Ryder Cup, conceding three half points in the fourball matches but not conceding a single full point to their opponents on Day 1.

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’.