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Ryder Cup 2023: Sepp Straka makes it exciting with chip-in eagle

Sepp Straka on sunday. (Photo: Getty)
Sepp Straka on sunday. (Photo: Getty)

Some dream shots have already fallen in this Ryder Cup week. After a Sandy Eagle by Tommy Fleetwood in the singles matches on Sunday, Austrian Sepp Straka also manages a surprising eagle. The German-speaking Ryder Cup rookie presents himself from his best side in his debut in golf’s biggest team competition and fights bravely against Justin Thomas on Sunday. With his chip on the par-4 16th everything is right and he sinks the ball with shot number 2 in the hole. With this stroke win, he shortens his match to just ‘1Up’ for Team USA and gets another chance to turn the tide on the last two holes.

Ryder Cup 2023: Chip-in-Eagle for Sepp Straka

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Ryder Cup 2023: Bunker Magic from Tommy Fleetwood

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

Tommy Fleetwood once again proves to be a chipping master. In the singles matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup, the Englishman turned the match against Rickie Fowler, which had been tied until then, into a lead for Europe on hole 9. He holed out of the bunker on the par 4 for a birdie and won the hole.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Video of Tommy Fleetwood’s bunker shot

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Ryder Cup 2023: Cantlay uses the rough crowd as fuel

Patrick Cantlay at the 18th hole in the Ryder Cup 2023 Saturday fourballs.
Patrick Cantlay at the 18th hole in the Ryder Cup 2023 Saturday fourballs.

Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark decide the last match of the day against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick on the 18th hole for themselves. With strong nerves Cantlay putted the American team to victory in this match. The day was accompanied by rumors about his missing hat and possible money demands in Team USA. Cantlay now said, “the hat just doesn’t fit me, it’s as simple as that”.

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Patrick Cantlay at the Ryder Cup 2023: “We use the rough crowd as fuel”

Q. How clutch was that for you?

PATRICK CANTLAY: Hopefully have a ray of light and we can build on this session and try and pull off a big victory tomorrow.

Q. What was it like playing with this guy in this atmosphere?

WYNDHAM CLARK: Well, I told him, I said, I lose my money games all the time so I hope he can go out and make birdies and beat me like a money game. Coming down the stretch, he showed why he’s the best in the world.

Q. Hat gate has stormed into Italy from the United States. First of all why aren’t you wearing a hat?

PATRICK CANTLAY: It just doesn’t fit. It’s as simple as that. I didn’t wear it at Whistling Straits because the hat just doesn’t fit, so that’s really all it is?

Q. We talked to Sam Burns a little bit earlier about the crowd roughing him up a little bit about his mullet and got on you about the hat as well. Does that feed positive energy from your way when you’re getting it from a road crowd and giving it back to them, just a little bit, how much fun are you actually having?

PATRICK CANTLAY: I was smiling every day. I told him walking to the first tee, use it as fuel and we did all day.

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Ryder Cup 2023: Europe heads into final day with five-point lead

Justin Rose secures the point at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)
Justin Rose secures the point at the Ryder Cup 2023. (Photo: Getty)

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.

Europe vs USA
10,5 5,5
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Ryder Cup 2023: The results of the four Fourballs of Saturday

Europe Result USA
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg  4&3 USA Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa

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.

Europe Result USA
Nicolai Hojgaard and Tommy Fleetwood 2 & 1 USA Max Homa and Brian Harman

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.

Europe Result USA
Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre 3 & 2 Europa Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas

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.

Europe Result USA
Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick 1Up USA Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark

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.

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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.