Europe equalled their largest opening-day lead in Ryder Cup history after winning both sessions in unbeaten day at Marco Simone GC; Luke Donald’s side need eight more points over final two days to regain trophy; Watch day two live on Saturday from 6am ahead of first tee shot at 6.35am
By Ali Stafford in Rome
Last Updated: 29/09/23 5:46pm
Viktor Hovland secured a dramatic half-point for Team Europe in the top match
Viktor Hovland and Jon Rahm produced some incredible final-hole magic to help Team Europe build a record-equalling lead after dramatic session in the Friday fourballs at the Ryder Cup.
Europe claimed a clean sweep in an opening session for the first time in Ryder Cup history, winning all four foursomes matches at Marco Simone GC, then dug deep late in the afternoon session to edge the session and take a 6.5-1.5 lead into day two.
Hovland holed a sensational final-hole birdie to give him and Tyrrell Hatton a half-point in a topsy-turvy clash against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, who had been left out of the morning session by USA captain Zach Johnson.
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Viktor Hovland sinks a crucial birdie putt on the 18th hole at the Ryder Cup to earn half a point for Team Europe
Matt Fitzpatrick went on a brilliant scoring burst to claim the first point of his Ryder Cup career, partnering Rory McIlroy to a 5&3 thrashing of Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, while Rahm finished in style to continue his unbeaten start.
Rahm chipped in to eagle the 16th hole and bounced back from losing the next to a Scottie Scheffler birdie by holing a 35-foot eagle at the par-five last, giving him and Nicolai Hojgaard a tie against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka.
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Jon Rahm produced two stunning shots to eagle the par-5 18th hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club and claim a thrilling half in the match against Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in the Ryder Cup
The other match also went to the 18th hole, with Justin Rose winning the final two holes to snatch another half-point for Europe alongside Robert MacIntyre against Max Homa and Wyndham Clark.
Europe’s five-point advantage after the day equals the biggest in history and matches the lead they held in 2004, with Luke Donald’s side now needing just eight points over the final two days to regain the trophy.
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A look at the best of Matt Fitzpatrick in the Friday fourballs, including three consecutive birdies and a brilliant eagle on route to a dominant win with partner Rory McIlroy
All 12 European players secured at least a half-point on the opening day, while a 2.5-1.5 loss in the afternoon session means Team USA failed to win any of the eight matches on a remarkable Friday.
More to follow…
Live Ryder Cup Golf
September 30, 2023, 6:00am
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What happens next?
Day two coverage has the same timings as Friday, with the opening foursomes tee shot at 6.35am and the afternoon fourballs sessions getting under way at 11.25am. Coverage of the final day singles begins on Sunday at 9am ahead of the first match going out at the 10.35am.
Watch the Ryder Cup exclusively live this week on Sky Sports! Live coverage from day two begins on Saturday from 6am, ahead of the first tee time at 6.35am. Stream the Ryder Cup and more for £21 a month for six months with NOW.