Europe hold a healthy 6.5-1.5 lead over the United States after a brilliant opening day of the Ryder Cup in Rome.
The US were the narrow favourites ahead of Friday's action getting underway but they haven't won the event on European soil in 30 years. After a dominant 19-9 win in 2021, the US have plenty to do to turn things around after a frustrating first day.
The morning session of Day 1 saw a sensational performance from the Europeans as they stormed to a 4-0 lead over the US. It was Europe's first-ever clean sweep of a morning session at a Ryder Cup.
Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland/Ludvig Aberg both got 4&3 victories over Scottie Scheffler/Sam Burns and Max Homa/Brian Harman. Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry put on a show in their 2&1 win over Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa. It looked as though the US were going to earn half a point in the final match but Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood battled on to secure a 2&1 victory over Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
The Americans had previously had great four-ball success and looked on course to claw back the deficit before final-hole heroics from Jon Rahm and Justin Rose ensured the US ended the first day without a win as Europe added to their considerable lead.
LIVE: Follow Ryder Cup updates from Day 2
Ryder Cup live scores
Europe | United States |
6.5 | 1.5 |
LATEST: Ryder Cup standings, results and leaderboard
Foursome results
Europe | United States | Score |
---|---|---|
Rahm/Hatton | Scheffler/Burns | 4 & 3 |
Hovland/Aberg | Homa/Harman | 4 & 3 |
Lowry/Straka | Fowler/Morikawa | 2 & 1 |
McIlroy/Fleetwood | Schauffele/Cantlay | 2 & 1 |
MORE: Check out the full rundown of players competing for Team USA and Team Europe
Fourball results
Europe | United States | Score |
---|---|---|
Hovland/Hatton | Thomas/Spieth | Tied |
Rahm/Hojgaard | Scheffler/Koepka | Tied |
MacIntyre/Rose | Homa/Clark | Tied |
McIlroy/Fitzpatrick | Morikawa/Schauffele | 5 & 3 |
Ryder Cup updates, highlights from Day 1
(All times BST)
6pm: That's all for today, folks! Join us tomorrow for more coverage where surely things can't get any worse for Team USA!
5:39 pm: "I just wanted to get it into the hole," Jon Rahm tells BBC Radio 5 Live of his heroics on the 18th. "I had words of encouragement from Nicolai, telling me to go for it."
Rahm said Hojgaard asked him what Europe legend Seve Ballesteros would have done. "He would have done something spectacular," adds Rahm, concluding of Hojgaard: "He played incredible golf for a Ryder Cup rookie. To go out there and do that, I was quite impressed. He’s only going to get better."
5:33 pm: Max Homa misses. Can Justin Rose take advantage? Not half! OK, that doesn't work because it is, indeed, a half for Europe as Rose celebrates passionately!
HOW'S YOUR NERVE ROSEY!!! 🌹@JustinRose99 coming up clutch at the last!#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/6avIet26S4
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
5:30 pm: The shootout is on. Everyone's putting. Bob McIntyre misses the first from about 30 feet.
5:26 pm: Bob McIntyre puts himself in with a chance of a birdie putt by landing 25 feet from the hole.
That's the first time in a while that McIntyre and Max Homa have both been within range of saying that.
5:25 pm: Max Homa lands about 12 feet from the hole in three shots. Justin Rose or Bob McIntyre need to beat that – and Rose lands six feet or so away!
5:19 pm: Wyndham Clark looks best placed to reach the green first in the remaining fourball to be settled.
Not too long ago, it looked like the US would have their sights on much more than staying level. Now the pressure is on for them to hold onto their advantage here.
5:13 pm: Jon Rahm. That's the tweet. Phenomenal fare.
JON RAHM 😲#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/zSbR5vMbSE
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
5:09 pm: The US are flailing to keep the scores level now. There are no notably great shots as the third match, in which Max Homa and Wyndham Clark are one ahead on the 18th, approaches a conclusion.
5:05 pm: As much as it feels like it's all about Jon Rahm as Europe's fourball comeback continues, Tyrrell Hatton has been talking about his tie alongside Viktor Hovland.
"It was a tough match but we kept plugging away and gave ourselves opportunities," Hatton tells Sky Sports. "By the end, we're happy with half a point."
Mathematically, Europe could win the Ryder Cup on Saturday...
5:02 pm: Jon Rahm does it with such a stonker of a shot that Brooks Koepka can do nothing but offer his admiration to the Spaniard.
It's a tie!
4:59 pm: Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler's shots put the pressure on Jon Rahm, who's going to have to deliver another eagle from a long way out if Europe are to level that one. Tense.
4:56 pm: Bob McIntyre misses a birdie putt to ensure the Americans will take a least a half from the third pairing. Europe are two down with two remaining.
4:55 pm: World number three Jon Rahm is still clearly flying off that eagle - if you'll pardon the imagery - earlier.
He reaches the green in two shots. That could be crucial.
4:52 pm: Here's that shot from Viktor Hovland a little earlier. Bravo.
VIKTOR HOVLAND!!! 🇳🇴🇪🇺#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/KCe0pWZn5Y
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
4:49 pm: It wasn't quite as tense as the action elsewhere, but Matt Fitzpatrick earns his first Ryder Cup point!
Rory McIlroy hugs him, as does Fitzpatrick's brother, Alex. McIlroy and Fitzpatrick were six ahead after seven holes and, despite a late and admirable rally from the US, they see it out.
4:47 pm: Captain's pick Justin Thomas ends a brilliant individual display by putting to level the fourball!
Thomas embraces his team-mate and opponents. Spoils shared!
4:46 pm: Now Justin Thomas has got to hole for the half because of a sensational putt from Viktor Hovland!
Some deep-toned renditions of "ole, ole, ole ole" go up from the margins.
4:40 pm: Tyrrell Hatton's ended up in the back of the bunker with a 40-yard shot. Then his shot at redemption allows him to join Viktor Hovland in the green.
Justin Thomas' ball is in the semi-rough but you'd probably back the US to take this hole, if you had to make a call at this point. Thomas, who has been by far the better of the Americans in the match-up, hits another superb shot to land four feet away, Jordan Spieth having another shocker with his tee shot.
4:38 pm: Justin Rose brings Europe back within one of the US in his partnership with Bob MacIntyre!
Rose capitalises on missed putts for par from Wyndham Clark and Max Homa.
The decider in that top match has started, none of the rivals making an outstanding start. Are nerves, understandably, fraying?
4:33 pm: The American fans holler and their players and caddies slap each other on the backs as Scottie Scheffler ensures the US will not be beaten in the second pairings!
Scheffler was helped by Jon Rahm missing his birdie putt.
4:30 pm: Europe are four up with three to play in the bottom match, where Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick have shown uncharacteristic generosity since moving six ahead.
Xander Schauffele sends a chance to take a third successive hole for the US wide left. That settles that – but Schauffele and Collin Morikawa, albeit with a much larger mountain to climb, have matched the unwillingness to give up of their team-mates elsewhere on the course.
4:25 pm: No conclusion from a procession of attempted putts in the game between Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
It's going to the 18th!
4:18 pm: One of the shots of the day from Jon Rahm, who earns huge cheers from the crowd as he chips in through the rough for a timely eagle to draw Europe level!
4:14 pm: Bob MacIntyre and Justin Rose are two behind against Max Homa and Wyndham Clark with four to play...
4:12 pm: A stunning tee shot from Viktor Hovland gives Europe cause for optimism at the start of the 17th.
Jordan Spieth is the only player to miss the green, with the two shots in between his and Hovland's appearing to be inspired by that opening shot. This game could be halved again in this seesaw contest.
#GoUSA fans representing out here. 🙌#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/qu3j0KvQnd
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
4:10 pm: A 30-foot birdie from Brooks Koepka draws a roar of pleasure from the American as he moves his side ahead!
4:09 pm: The razor-tight match between Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton takes another twist!
Thomas can't celebrate exuberantly this time as he slides a shot wide-right of the hole. Hatton's birdie is enough for Europe! Back to tied!
4:02 pm: Jordan Spieth begins the 16th by landing in the water from the tee.
This probably doesn't need describing, but there are plenty of cheers among the crowd – as well as a rueful smile from Spieth.
3:58 pm: Europe were (probably) never going to retain such a chasmic advantage in the match involving Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Another birdie from Morikawa brings the US deficit down to four holes.
3:53 pm: Viktor Hovland looks annoyed after failing to putt for a birdie. That gives Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth a chance to wrench back that last hole they gave up easily.
Justin Thomas lands an up-and-down – then turns theatrically to the opposition fans who had been jeering him.
3:48 pm: Meanwhile, on the par-five 12th, Wyndham Clark takes a 25-feet birdie from distance to earn the US a half after Max Homa and Bob MacIntyre miss. Clark's side remain one ahead.
3:45 pm: It's advantage Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele as they try to claw back more of that five-hole disadvantage.
Rory McIlroy is in the rough.
3:40 pm: A forgettable start to the 15th for Justin Thomas, who ends up in a bunker, and Jordan Spieth, whose tee shot is poor.
Man of the moment Viktor Hovland continues to bely his inexperience with his play, joining Tyrrell Hatton on the fairway, pin high away to the left.
Now Europe, who are one behind with four to play, have two birdie shots. Shane Lowry is out celebrating!
3:35 pm: Collin Morikawa and Scottie Schauffele are on the board! Matt Fitzpatrick mangles a putt and Morikawa's birdie reduces Europe to just the five-hole advantage in that one.
3:30 pm: Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas each find the green from unpromising positions. Neither succeed with their putts, leaving Tyrrell Hatton in a position to profit, which he does.
Europe pull one back!
3:27 pm: Brooks Koepka and Nicolai Hojgaard both struggle with their putts, so the 13th is halved in the match involving those two, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler.
3:24 pm: Jordan Spieth is in trouble and looks unimpressed with his tee shot but Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas and Tyrrell Hatton all start strongly on the 14th.
Thomas then produces a stinker of a shot, missing the green back right.
Captain @LukeDonald watches on 👀#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/drxXyMME8O
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
3:19 pm: Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick remain firmly on course for victory. Collin Morikawa claimed a birdie at the 10th but McIlroy keeps Europe six ahead from 12 feet. Eight holes remaining for them.
3:19 pm: Brooks Koepka produces a terrific shot to put himself within distance of the flag.
Nicolai Hojgaard does just as well with his effort to raise a few admiring cheers. Then Jon Rahm lands on the green – but not quite as close to the target as Hojgaard's.
3:17 pm: An excellent chip from Wyndham Clark has put the American within sight of a birdie, so the pressure is on Justin Rose to hole out. He does it! A second consecutive show of heroics from the European.
US Open champion Clark strikes back, keeping his pairing one ahead.
3:11 pm: Jordan Spieth strikes from 13 feet to put himself and Justin Thomas two ahead on Viktor Hovland and Tyrell Hatton. Cue more American cheering!
Here's one he sank earlier.
This to go 1 UP! 💪@jordanspieth | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/NmKPEaOmem
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
3:02 pm: Justin Rose does the business from five feet after Max Homa misses, cutting the American team's lead to one in that pairing after 10 holes.
The US remain ahead in two fourballs games, and chants of "USA, USA" are audible. Clearly in confident mood over their slender advantage.
3pm: Three matches are thrillingly poised. Jordan Spieth sinks a birdie to put the US ahead again after Justin Thomas misses with an eagle shot and Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland both miss.
2:54 pm: An incredible front nine for Rory and Matt.
Dominant. pic.twitter.com/5agaikcVv4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 29, 2023
2:50 pm: No wonder he has a smile on his face. His European boys have had a great day.
Captain @LukeDonald watches on 👀#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/drxXyMME8O
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
2:42 pm: We have another tie at the top as Scheffler/Koepka pull themselves from one back. If the US can take advantage of these tied matches, they could see three crucial points earned in this afternoon's session.
2:36 pm: But fear not! Homa sinks his birdie putt to give himself and Clark a two-hole lead.
2:33 pm: Clark has enjoyed putting so far today and had the opportunity to go 2 Up but his effort scrapes the surface of the hole and they stay with a one-hole lead. That's the type of situation where if he was European this morning, it would have gone in.
2:22 pm: A lifeline in match two for the US as Scheffler taps in for birdie at the ninth.
2:18 pm: Homa's beautiful 30-foot putt piles on the pressure as Rose needs to putt from 15 feet to save the hole. The Ryder Cup veteran does exactly that.
2:04 pm: McIlroy takes some inspiration from Fitzpatrick to get that pair 6 Up! They were the last out onto the course but could be the first back in the clubhouse... Xander and Colin are in trouble.
1:52 pm: Red returns to the board as Clark finishes a nice putt at the seventh. But just as that happens, more blue arrives as Hojgaard makes his third birdie in a row and puts himself and Rahm 2 Up against Scheffler and Koepka.
1:47 pm: McIlroy and Fitzpatrick are now 5 Up! Morikawa misses a long effort and Schauffele crumbles under the pressure to save the hole.
1:33 pm: FITZPATRICK DOES IT AGAIN! He puts himself and McIlroy 4 Up!
Birdie
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Birdie
Birdie
Eagle@MattFitz94, you are magic! 🙌#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/ERqaAJQAhI
1:23 pm: Clark has his first meaningful moment in this Ryder Cup as he gets it back to tied with a birdie.
1:15 pm: The red on the scoreboard was short-lived as Hovland kills Thomas/Spieth's momentum.
1:07 pm: The entertainment is growing in Rome. Hovland's day gets better and better as he puts it incredibly close on the par-three 7th. His iron play is something else.
1:05 pm: Fitzpatrick's putter is HOT! He sinks another to double the lead over Morikawa/Schauffele.
1:01 pm: Thomas puts the US ahead for the first time today! It's taken a very long time...
12:44 pm: Not too much movement going on in the leaderboard right now as the four-balls keep matching each other. On the 4th, Rahm's long putt falls way short. Fitzpatrick manages to make a huge play and holes a 21-footer for birdie as he and McIlroy retake the lead in that final match.
12:35 pm: Spieth has arrived!
Tough lie? Not an issue for @JordanSpieth #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/zNscBsUAzo
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
12:30 pm: Is this what gets the US going?! Spieth chips in from the edge of the green to get himself and Thomas tied in the top game.
12:27 pm: The first chance at a US lead is shut down by Fitzpatrick who makes a brilliant putt to save Europe in match four.
12:17 pm: You couldn't write a more perfect start to a Ryder Cup career for Nicolai Hojgaard.
First hole.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 29, 2023
First birdie.
First lead.
Nicolai Højgaard starts hot in his debut at the #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/OlPrePGMtj
12:15 pm: All four four-ball matches are officially underway with McIlroy/Fitzpatrick vs Morikawa/Schauffele all teed off.
12:04 pm: Some familiar faces in Rome!
.@GarethBale11 and @DjokerNole cheering on from the side lines 🙌#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/O3YzOaO6GP
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
12:01 pm: The Europeans go 1 Up in the second game of the four-balls as Hojgaard sinks a long birdie putt! What a way to make your Ryder Cup debut, birdie your first hole!
11:45 am: Hatton sinks the birdie putt to go 1 Up Thru 1! Europe continues to paint the leaderboard blue.
11:44 am: The second match is now underway. Hojgaard's first Ryder Cup shot trickles into the bunker, Rahm's 3-wood sees the fairway and the Europeans are off.
11:36 am: Thomas and Hatton find the green, Spieth is just off the edge and Hovland is in the rough at the far right.
11:29 am: The first four-ball is underway as Thomas hits the fairway but Spieth and Hovland find the rough. Hatton finds the bunker down the right.
11:23 am: If you're just waking up in the US, it's been a woeful start for the Americans in the first session at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. The Europeans lead 4-0 after a clean sleep but we're now moments away from the first four-ball match which is where the US players should thrive. The first game is Viktor Hovland/Tyrrell Hatton vs Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth.
RORY MCILROY, TAKE A BOW! 🎯#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/4jqRsdtYbO
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
10:57 am: Schauffele needed to make his birdie putt to keep them within reach but he couldn't sink it. Fleetwood taps in McIlroy's excellent tee shot and it's a 4-0 lead after the morning session of day one at the 2023 Ryder Cup!
10:54 am: McIlroy with an absolute peach puts Fleetwood within a few feet!
10:50 am: The four-balls have been announced!
This afternoon's four-ball pairings.@ROLEX | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/47Rnh2WHDI
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
10:48 am: Schauffele has the opportunity to win the hole with a putt and does so with steady hands. They get it back to just one down as they head to the par-three 17th.
10:38 am: Schauffele misses and from almost definitely losing the hole, McIlroy/Fleetwood win it and go 2 Up! Elsewhere, Europe goes 3-0 up as Straka sinks his putt. Lowry celebrates with the crowd and pumps his fists.
Third point on the board for #TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Zuh9lJb0bU
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
10:36 am: An absolutely massive putt from Fleetwood and knocks it in to keep the lead. Just as the US' hopes were up, he shuts the door.
10:34 am: Cantlay's effort from 33 feet narrowly slides wide of the hole and Fleetwood has to make this to save the hole and keep a lead.
10:29 am: Xander and Cantlay are reeling McIlroy and Fleetwood in as they feel the heat after a wayward tee shot. They're still 1 back but have a great opportunity to get to even.
10:20 am: Cantlay's putt wins the hole and halves the deficit to give them hope heading to the 15th.
10:19 am: Lowry lets a 3-wood loose off the tee and it slides way right. It's so bad that it might actually be okay for Straka.
10:04 am: They sure enjoyed it out there this morning.
It would be difficult to overstate just how hard Viktor and Ludvig are vibing right now. Pointing after every putt, pumping up every green. The joyful killers. Hard to imagine them being split up this week.
— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) September 29, 2023
10:00 am: Hovland's brilliant bunker shot sees the US concede and they get the 4&3 win over Homa and Harman.
9:58 am: Fleetwood's down-hill putt misses right and that was a good opportunity to extend the lead to three.
9:53 am: Hatton speaking to Sky after his round with Rahm: "He's very positive between shots, great company and he's always right by your side. A great teammate."
9:51 am: The first point goes to Europe as Rahm and Hatton finish off a spectacular performance.
What a start 💪
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Rahm 🤝 Hatton#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/RExM7wHcak
9:45 am: It's another European win as McIlroy helps their match to 2 Up. They're closing in on a clean sweep.
9:41 am: So many missed fairways for the US this morning as Scheffler finds the rough this time.
9:36 am: Cantlay halves yet another hole in the final and tightest match of the morning. It really does feel like that match will be the only chance of the US getting a point in this first session.
9:28 am: Homa had a wonderful opportunity to get it back to 2 down but he can't make the put and the second match remains the same with a European three-hole lead.
9:19 am: Rory avoided the water but it meant a tough approach shot for Fleetwood and Cantlay pulls one back to bring the US within 1 at the turn.
9:15 am: It's been a rough morning for the US.
Total holes won so far
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) September 29, 2023
Europe—16
U.S.—4
9:13 am: They do pull one back and it's a vital one at the tenth. Fowler and Morikawa are still three down and there's a lot of work to do.
9:10 am: Lowry finds the tee at the tenth to give Fowler and Morikawa a glimmer of hope. The US are yet to take any advantages, they need to here to give them a fighting chance.
9:04 am: It's now 3 Up for Rahm and Hatton in that top game as they go through 11. It's been a sensational start to this Ryder Cup for Europe. The US need a spark from somewhere and it needs to come soon.
8:56 am: Hovland is playing superbly as he finds the green from the rough with the ball below the stance. Straka and Lowry make it 4 Up against Fowler and Morikawa!
RAHMBO!!!!! 💪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/T5MJZn2rCm
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
8:48 am: Rahm chips in and this place is ROCKING! That's why he's the Masters champion. Scheffler remains calm and halves the hole.
8:45 am: Three-hole leads in games two and three for Europe as blue dominates the leaderboard. The latest comes from a 16-footer from Aberg.
8:37 am: At the eighth Morikawa finds the water and Straka finds the green in what is a huge opportunity to go 3 Up in that match.
8:33 am: Burns does halve the hole! He'll thank Scottie for an excellent recovery shot to give him a fighting chance. They stay 2 Down.
8:29 am: Scottie plays a super shot out of the rough to give Burns a chance and give the US a slim chance of halving the hole.
8:27 am: Morikawa can't make his putt and Europe now have 3/4 matches 2 Up. Scheffler has taken a drop from Burns' water-bound ball and it's incredibly thick rough.
8:19 am: Burns finds the water to make matters worse in the top game. Meanwhile, the Europeans are up by the green. 3 Up looms.
8:12 am: Can you imagine if this went in...
Jon Rahm was so close to just the SEVENTH hole-in-one in Ryder Cup history 🤯 #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/phe1vfXc6Y
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
8:10 am: The board is BLUE! McIlroy taps in to get the Europeans 1 Up in yet another match.
8:07 am: Aberg's 12-footer birdie should settle his nerves as he and Hovland get back to 2 Up.
7:58 am: Rahm's tee shot sees the US concede after he hit the pin at the par-three seventh.
7:54 am: Lowry/Straka move 2 Up and Harman can't halve the hole in the second pairing.
7:50 am: Burns finishes off the 6th with a six-footer and brings them back within one.
7:45 am: After Lowry's sublime approach, Straka finishes it off to put the Europeans 1 Up in that match.
7:40 am: Aberg can't quite halve the hole and after being 2 Up Thru 2, the US tie it up in the second match.
7:37 am: Rahm holes a four-footer for birdie showing no signs of any nerves out there. I'm sure there are...
7:35 am: We think Shane enjoyed that one...
Getting hype up before his first tee shot 💪
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 29, 2023
Shane Lowry's reaction to Viktor Hovland's chip-in 💯pic.twitter.com/GjE3bfFDd9
7:31 am: Homa pulls one back for the US with a nice putt to get them back to one behind.
7:24 am: We now have every pairing underway as both McIlroy and Cantlay just miss the fairway.
7:20 am: Hovland rolls in at the second to go 2 Up Thru 2.
7:16 am: Rahm birdies the third to go 1 Up as Europe use the momentum early.
7:14 am: Rory and Tommy against Schauffele and Cantlay is about to get going.
7:08 am: Straka and Morikawa get the third match underway, neither hit the fairway.
7:05 am: The second hole is halved as Burns just pushes his putt wide of the hole.
VIKTOR HOVLAND! 💪#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/olIR1Zq7Jy
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
7:03 am: HOVLAND HOLES IN! He opts for a wedge rather than a putter and boy did it pay off. What a start for Europe! Fist bumps on the first hole? The Ryder Cup is here.
6:58 am: Rahm and Scheffler are both on the green at the second. The US are a little closer so they'll get a nice read off the Europeans.
6:52 am: Homa and Hovland both find the fairway to get the second match off.
6:48 am: Rahm's birdie attempt is no good and we go to hole two tied.
6:46 am: Scottie nearly chips in! It just lips out to the right. Meanwhile, back at the tee, the noise is back as Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg arrive to get match two underway.
6:43 am: Tyrrell Hatton hits the green to give Rahm a birdie opportunity and Burns' effort out of the rough is short.
Jon Rahm gets us under way 💪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/t0Q68Cp7R8
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
6:38 am: Rahm begins with a perfect tee shot down the right, onto the fairway while avoiding the bunker. Scheffler drives into the rough.
6:35 am: Good morning! Welcome to The Sporting News' live blog of the 2023 Ryder Cup. The entire month's excitement has led to this as Europe take on the US in Rome, Italy. Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm have just teed off to get the first foursome pairing underway and officially begin the day's play.