Italian course paves the way for early success
The 44th edition of the Ryder Cup got off to a blistering start yesterday for Team Europe at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, only 17 km from the centre of Rome in Italy. Never before in the long history of the event had Europe taken the outright lead in the Ryder Cup in the morning foursomes with an impressive 4-0 lead over the Americans. Team Captain for Europe, Luke Donald was simply elated with his team.
Playing in his seventh Ryder Cup match is the four-times Major winner, as well as the number two in the World Ranking, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland. The 34-year old showed great form in Italy playing with England’s Tommy Fleetwood on an undulalting course on an exceptionally warm day. The Europeans played against Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay and scored a magnificent 2&1 victory in the foursomes over the Americans.
Charming the crowds
But it was former World Number One, Jon Rahm from Spain, who truly charmed the crowds with his golf. He was partnered by Tyrrell Hatton (England) in the morning foursomes and picked-up a superb win against the current World Number One, Scottie Scheffler, and rookie Sam Burns by 4&3.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland and his rookie partner Ludvig Åberg (Sweden) had a great match too against 2023 Open Champion Brian Harman and Max Homa also winning by 4&3.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry playing with rookie Sepp Straka (Austria) also delivered a splendid match with a victory of 2&1 over Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa.
A 4-0 foursomes victory was, naturally, a delightful and historical start to the 2023 Ryder Cup for the Europeans. But how would the team fare in the afternoon fourballs?
Well, Matt Fitzpatrick teed-off with Rory McIlroy in the afternoon and what a delight the 29-year old Englishman was on the Marco Simone golf course. He claimed his first Major Championship at last year’s US Open and showed the crowds just how impeccable his golf is at the moment.
Fitzpatrick made four birdies and a superb eagle in five of the opening six holes. The result was a rather disappointing start for Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele who teed-off on the 7th hole an incredible six holes down.
McIlroy was overjoyed with Fitzpatrick’s performance and happily settled for a 5&3 team victory over the Americans.
“It’s one of the greatest days I’ve ever had on a golf course.”
Matt Fitzpatrick
Viktor Hovland from Norway was paired with Tyrrell Hatton in the afternoon. Together the team secured half a point against a strong-looking combination of Justin Thomas and 30-year old Jordan Spieth who is playing in his fifth Ryder Cup.
Jon Rahm enjoyed another super round in the fourball matches much to the delight of his rookie partner from Denmark, Nicolai Højgaard. The long-hitter from Spain holed an enormous putt which just finally toppled in the cup on the 18th for an eagle to halve the game with Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka. America were just not holing the putts in the afternoon.
Rose rises to the occasion
England’s Justin Rose also made a great impression with his partner from Scotland, Robert MacIntyre. He also holed a lengthy putt on the 18th to secure a well-deserved half with Americans Max Homa and the 2023 US Open Champion Wyndham Clark.
The first day results were absolutely bliss for the Europeans as America did not manage to squeeze a single victory from the first day matches. The score in Italy stands at Europe 6½ – America 1½. But there is an awful lot of golf still to be played at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, especially with the Sunday singles when the full team of 12 plays.
Keep up the great golf, guys! We believe in you!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: England’s Justin Rose slides a beautiful putt in the hole at the 18th. CENTRE (l-r): Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka.