2023 Ryder Cup highlights: Watch best moments as Europe takes big, early lead over US
Jon Rahm and Team Europe got out to an early 6.5 - 1.5 lead amid a sweltering day at the Ryder Cup. However, there was drama and great shots to be sure from US players.
Europe is determined to win back the Ryder Cup trophy after a dominant start in Italy. The Europeans took a 6 and a half -1 and a half lead over the Americans to end Day 1 after winning the opening session of the Ryder Cup 4-0. The scoring system for the Ryder Cup is straightforward. Whenever a team wins a match, they earn a point for their team. In the event of a tie, both teams receive half a point each. To secure a victory in the Ryder Cup, a team must earn a total of 14 points. If the final score is tied at 14-14, the current trophy holders will maintain possession of the cup.
Experience all the thrilling moments and highlights from the 2023 Ryder Cup held at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, located just outside Rome.
Become an expert: Ryder Cup 2023 format explained: What you need to know about rules and scoring
Ryder Cup Saturday: Day 2 Information
Team Europe leads Team U.S. 6 1/2 to 1 1/2 after dominating Day 1. Here are the starting times for Day 2 of the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, as the world's best golfers hit the course bright and early.
Morning: Foursomes start at 7:35 a.m.-8:20 a.m. local time (1:35 a.m.-2:20 a.m. ET)
Afternoon: Fourballs start at 12:25 p.m.-1:10 p.m. local time (6:25 a.m.-7:10 a.m. ET)
NBC and the USA Channel will cover all the action beginning at 1:35 a.m. ET.
The results from this afternoon's four-balls on the opening day.#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/jBbCKrYuen
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
Justin Rose caps it off for Team Europe
In the last match of Day 1, Max Homa came close to giving the United States their first full point, but Justin Rose managed to sink his putt and tie the match. As a result, Team Europe scored 6 ½ points while the United States scored 1 ½ points.
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
Rahm comes up big for Team Europe
As Day 1 of the 2023 Ryder Cup is close to ending, Europe holds a 6-1 lead over the United States. Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaar managed to tie their match against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, with Rahm impressively sinking his putt on the 18th hole amidst the cheers and excitement of European fans.
Sending Team Europe fans wild at 18 🤯#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/12pa5NcaCb
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
Hovland makes it look easy at the 18th
Viktor Hovland effortlessly sinks a 25-foot putt while remaining calm, cool, and collected under pressure. Justin Thomas responds and matches, resulting in a half point for Team U.S and they are officially on the board at the 2023 Ryder Cup.
VIKTOR HOVLAND!!! 🇳🇴🇪🇺#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/KCe0pWZn5Y
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Rahm short on 17
After hitting two excellent tee shots, Rahm falls short and the world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler sinks his putt, giving the American a one-up lead in Match 2 heading into the 18th.
Absolutely clutch move from Scottie Scheffler to go 1 UP heading to the 18th. #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/7Blk9br4fD
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
Justin Thomas comes in clutch
Justin Thomas kept the Americans alive with a putt on No. 15, with three holes left to play. He seized the opportunity after Hovland missed a chance to level the score.
*2 UP@jordanspieth | @justinthomas34 | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/0ti0DNnxG0
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
The Matt Fitzpatrick Show
After winning the last six holes in a row, Team Europe's Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick have taken a massive lead of 6 against Collin Morikawa and Xander Sxhauffele.
The pair initially tied with the Americans on the first hole through pars, but Fitzpatrick took the lead and dominated the next five holes by scoring six under par. He even managed to score an eagle on the 276-yard, par-4 fifth hole and sank a 12-foot putt.
Matt Fitzpatrick is DIALED IN with the putter. 🔒🇪🇺@RyderCupEurope wins its fourth hole in a row to go 4UP over Morikawa/Schauffele through 5. #TeamEurope
📺: @USANetwork | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/DsYVafwjMM— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 29, 2023
Fitzy's on fire🔥@MattFitz94 eagles the fifth.#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/WcKHU3nl4Q
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Rory is all of us watching @MattFitz94 this afternoon 👏#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/9BrHjvs83Q
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Celebrities at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club
Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale, and Carlos Sainz Jr. were seen cheering for Team Europe. The 24-time Grand Slam champion even asked Tommy Fleetwood for a photo.
Taking it all in.#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/WbQd1P13vn
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
.@GarethBale11 and @DjokerNole cheering on from the side lines 🙌#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/O3YzOaO6GP
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
Even @DjokerNole wants a photo with @TommyFleetwood1 📸#RyderCup | #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/tDexU3B6Qd
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Clean sweep for Team Europe
Team Europe's Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood maintained their dominance by winning their match 2 & 1 against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
At the 15th hole, McIlroy and Fleetwood helped Team Europe take a 2-up lead with three to play after Fleetwood made a long par putt. Cantlay and Schauffele made an effort to come back with a great tee shot on the 17th, but McIlroy sealed the deal with his tee shot to 2 feet on the 17th hole, an outstanding performance that clinched another point for Team Europe.
This was the first time since 2006 that the Americans lost the opening session of a Ryder Cup.
THIS 🤩#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/trH5sTKlYM
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Tommy and Rory make it a clean sweep of European wins this morning 👏#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/JX0sFXuzpo
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Lowry and Straka make it 3-0 for Team Europe
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka secured a 3-0 lead for Team Europe by defeating Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa 2 & 1, with Straka sinking the winning putt on the 17th. Throughout the morning, Lowry enthusiastically celebrated and encouraged European fans to support Team Europe's record-breaking performance.
Sepp Straka/Shane Lowry take down Rickie Fowler/Collin Morikawa 2-and-1 for @RyderCupEurope's third point. 🇪🇺
A perfect 3-0 start for #TeamEurope
📺: @USANetwork | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/JjBpFARx9B— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 29, 2023
Åberg and Hovland keep it rolling for Europe
Rookie Ludvig Åberg and Norway's Viktor Hovland defeated Max Homa and Brian Harman 4 & 3, securing a 2-0 lead for Team Europe. Hovland, ranked fourth in the world, started strong in the Ryder Cup by sinking an impressive chip shot from just off the green on the first hole. He then made a 20-foot putt, giving his team the lead.
Åberg made history as the first player to participate in a Ryder Cup event before playing in a major championship. A captain's pick, he joined Team Europe only four months after turning pro. Aberg was born in Eslov, Sweden and played for Texas Tech University in 2019. He finished his studies in May of this year.
Another match, another W for @RyderCupEurope.
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg give Team Europe a 2-0 lead.#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/v1fCmIrw9j— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 29, 2023
The first big roar of the day courtesy of Viktor Hovland😱
His chip in birdie put his team 1-up at The Ryder Cup. pic.twitter.com/inganHsy1Q— Golf Channel (@golfchannelhd) September 29, 2023
Rahm and Hatton dominate for Europe
Masters champion Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton built an early lead for Team Europe, winning the first match against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns. The Americans only won one hole in the match that ended 4 & 3 on No. 15.
Jon Rahm delivering the goods for Team Europe 🙌 #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/n7WE13usx9
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
Fans storm the golf course
Fans were eager to start Friday's action as they ran into the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club before sunrise.
Racing to the first tee 🏁#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Xzy7FGfyMt
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023
#GoUSA fans bringing the energy on the first tee this morning. 👟👏🇺🇸#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/ZfcvDBc1ik
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023
Home support 🇪🇺#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/0eKV5bX0Oi
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryder Cup updates, highlights: Rahm, Europe take big lead over Team USA