Congratulations to Luke Donald and Europe, then; commiserations to Zach Johnson and the USA. Yet another phenomenal Ryder Cup to remember: the Friday-morning bluewash; Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg’s record-breaking 9&7 evisceration of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka; Scheffler’s tears; Patrick Cantlay’s Poulteresque performance; Max Homa’s grit; Rory McIlroy’s loss of noggin; Tommy Fleetwood’s deal-sealing wood into 16. And that’s just the stuff off the top of my head. A brilliant and deserved victory for Europe; some street-fighting brilliance from the Americans when they eventually turned up. It all stokes the fire that’ll blaze at Bethpage Black in a couple of years. The Ryder Cup in front of New York crowds? Yes please! Yes please! Shall we make a date for that one, then? Good, good. Thanks for reading this blog.

Rahm A/S Scheffler
4&3 Hovland v Morikawa
Rose v Cantlay 2&1
3&1 McIlroy v Burns
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP
3&2 Hatton v Harman
Aberg v Koepka 3&2
Straka v Thomas 2UP
Hojgaard v Schauffele 3&2
Lowry A/S Spieth
3&1 Fleetwood v Fowler
2&1 MacIntyre v Clark
Europe 16½-11½ USA

A teary Luke Donald spoke to Sky a wee bit earlier. “I’m pretty emotional … it’s been a long process, an amazing journey … I enjoyed this one … it was stressful! … the USA put up a fight today, they really did, hats off to them, unbelievable … I’m so proud of my guys, we formed a bond from day one … they trusted me and they delivered for me … this is the best … this is why the Ryder Cup is so special … we play for each other … we’ll share these memories forever … incredible crowds … I couldn’t ask for a better setting here … historic Rome, we made history here today.”

The losing captain Zach Johnson has a word with Sky Sports. “It’s still pretty raw … if I have any reflection right now, you just have to tip your cap to Luke … Europe played great, they were very impressive … we got outplayed but we showed grit and heart, and it got interesting there … I’m proud of my guys, they fought … it’s not them, it’s on me, maybe I made some poor decisions … they played so hard for each other and our country … Team USA will be better off at some point … we’ll learn … it’s a distinct honour to represent this team … I’m not even sure honour is the right term, it’s more than that … I’m not making excuses, Europe outplayed us and they deserved it.”

It’s party time now! Shane Lowry gets up and down from the swale to the side of 17, Jordan Spieth does not, and he springs around in the knowledge that the job is effectively complete!

1UP Lowry v Spieth (17)
2UP Fleetwood v Fowler (16)
MacIntyre A/S Clark (14)
Europe 14-11 USA

Rickie Fowler having dunked his tee shot at 16 into the water, Tommy Fleetwood plays one of the shots of his career! He sends a gentle fade into the heart of the green, using the camber at the back of the green to leave his ball 20 feet from the flag! Fowler wedges in to six feet from the dropzone, but Fleetwood is so close to the win that would guarantee at least a half point and secure the Ryder Cup!

Shane Lowry’s tee shot at 17 disappears down the big swale to the left of the green. That’s a hellish spot; with the flag on that side, he’s seriously short-sided. No matter, because Jordan Spieth has followed him down there … and while Shane’s on the short stuff, Spieth is in the thicker rough. Advantage Europe!

Sepp Straka sends his second at 18 into the bunker front-right of the green. Better than the rough, as recently illustrated by Max Homa. Justin Thomas isn’t right up against the face of the fairway bunker, but there’s no chance of taking a shy at the green. He’s forced to lay up. Meanwhile over on 16, Fowler slices into the drink! Goodness knows how all this is going to pan out!

Shane Lowry with a sensational splash from the bunker to the left of 16. He swishes it from the best part of 50 yards to a couple of feet. That’s a pick-up birdie, and Jordan Spieth has work to do from the thick rough at the back. He flubs his chip, leaving it in the cabbage. He nearly holes his second attempt, mind, but that’s the hole to Lowry, who will now have a chance to secure the trophy if he wins 17!

Straka v Thomas 1UP (17)
Lowry A/S Spieth (16)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (15)
MacIntyre A/S Clark (14)
Europe 14-10 USA

The tension levels are absurd. MacIntyre misses from 18 inches on 14 to gift a hole to Clark. Fleetwood shoves a four-footer wide left of 15 to give up the chance of winning a hole the out-of-position Fowler had done his best to lose. And up on 18, Straka stripes a drive down the middle, but Thomas finds a bunker down the left, and may – though we’re not sure yet – be up against the face. Oh my.

Straka v Thomas 1UP (17)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (15)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (15)
MacIntyre A/S Clark (14)
Europe 14-10 USA

Straka’s birdie putt on 17 never looks like dropping. Over to JT, who will have a look at closing out the match from 15 feet. A bit of left to right slide on the putt … and it slides a little too much. It slips past the hole and Thomas drops to his haunches in agony. They’ll head up 18!

The small margins. Sepp Straka’s tee shot into 17 fails to gather towards the flag from the right of the green; Justin Thomas’s pin-high iron nearly disappears down a swale to the left but clings onto the green by a dimple. He’ll have a great look at a birdie that would close out the match! Meanwhile Jordan Spieth rakes in a 25-footer across 15 to regain the lead over Shane Lowry, and celebrates accordingly.

Straka v Thomas 1UP (16)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 2UP (15)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (15)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (14)
1UP MacIntyre v Clark (13)
Europe 14-9 USA

That’s a huge moment for the USA, who still harbour hopes of retaining or even winning their trophy! Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler reduce their arrears the the final two matches, while Xander Schauffele goes two up again on 15. But there’s some better news for Europe as Sepp Straka chips in from the back of 16 for eagle to close the gap on Justin Thomas, while Shane Lowry, having been two down after 10 against Jordan Spieth, follows his birdie at 11 with another at 14 to tie the match! Europe still in contention in all five of the remaining games, up in two of them … and yet the thought persists: where is this precious half point coming from? Nothing’s clear, not on Singles Sunday.

Straka v Thomas 1UP (16)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 2UP (15)
Lowry A/S Spieth (14)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (14)
1UP MacIntyre v Clark (13)
Europe 14-9 USA

Fitzpatrick to go first. His ball is properly tangled up in the rough, though by all accounts Homa’s lie is even worse. He considers a long chip towards the flag positioned at the back-left of the green, water lurking behind. That siren song again. He bumps a glorious wedge from 60 yards to 18 feet. And it’s serious advantage Europe now, because Homa’s lie is so appalling that he opts to take an unplayable, no doubt worried about getting a flier that would send his ball into the water … or the rough snagging his hosel and the ball staying put. He’s made his decision, and he’ll be chipping four into the green. What drama here! Meanwhile par is enough for Nicolai Hojgaard on 14 to reduce his arrears with Xander Schauffele by half.

Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (17)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (16)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (13)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 1UP (14)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (12)
2UP Fleetwood v Fowler (12)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (11)
Europe 14-7 USA

Max Homa and Matt Fitzpatrick, both hitting into 18 from the centre of the fairway. It’s a spiritual re-run of the 16th tee, as both carve their shots into the thick rough to the right. The water on the left singing its siren song. The 2023 Ryder Cup could be decided in short order … but if Fitzpatrick doesn’t snatch half a point here, we could be waiting a while longer to find out what’s what.

A bit of breathing space at the bottom of the order again! Bob MacIntyre birdies 11, Tommy Fleetwood birdies 12, and the anchor matches are taking care of business right now. Europe are so close now, and yet it’s also true that the American dream is far from dead! The Ryder Cup, ladies and gentlemen, right here, right now.

Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (17)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (15)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (13)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 2UP (13)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (12)
2UP Fleetwood v Fowler (12)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (11)
Europe 14-7 USA

… so that means Europe are at least guaranteed the tie. They’re on the brink. But they still need a half point for the win, because a tie would mean the Americans retain the trophy. Where will that precious point come from? Matt Fitzpatrick, maybe? He trades pars with Max Homa at 17, and they’ll be heading down the last. If last year’s US Open champion wins the hole, he’ll secure the Ryder Cup for Europe!

Brian Harman claws a hole back from Tyrrell Hatton on 15. Rickie Fowler does likewise against Tommy Fleetwood at 11. And Wyndham Clark continues to wind in Bob MacIntyre, winning another hole at 10. This is really in the balance now, and though the projected score is currently 16-12 to Europe, all three of Europe’s leads are tissue-paper thin. A miracle that would statistically surpass Europe’s famous efforts in Medinah 11 years ago is very much a live possibility!

Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (16)
2UP Hatton v Harman (15)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (15)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (13)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 2UP (12)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (10)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (11)
1UP MacIntyre v Clark (10)
Europe 13-7 USA

This looks like going right down to the wire. It was always going to be like this, right? Matt Fitzpatrick gets away with a big mistake on 16. He carves his tee shot into the drink … only for Max Homa to follow him in! Homa wedges significantly closer from the dropzone, but can’t convert the six-foot putt for the win and they move on to 17 with Fitzpatrick still just the one down.

“Slightly heavy.” Justin Rose analyses his own tee shot at the par-three 17th. But it gets over the bunker at the front. Patrick Cantlay meanwhile uses the camber to the right of the green to gather his ball into its centre. They’ll both have a look at birdie from 30 feet or so. Meanwhile back on 16, Rory McIlroy’s long chip across the green stops ten feet short. Sam Burns chips to kick-in distance from the swale at the back, and when McIlroy fails to sink his putt, they head off to 17, the match extended.

Rose v Cantlay 1UP (16)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (16)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (15)
3UP Hatton v Harman (14)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (14)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (12)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 1UP (11)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (10)
2UP Fleetwood v Fowler (10)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (9)
Europe 12-6 USA

Tommy Fleetwood follows his chip-in birdie at 9 by firing his second into 10 from 190 yards to eight feet. In goes the putt, and suddenly there’s some crucial separation for Europe in the penultimate rubber … because these matches, and with it the outcome of the Ryder Cup, are firmly in the balance!

Rose v Cantlay 1UP (16)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (15)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (14)
3UP Hatton v Harman (14)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (13)
Straka v Thomas 1UP (11)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 1UP (11)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (10)
2UP Fleetwood v Fowler (10)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (9)
Europe 12-6 USA

Justin Rose sends his tee shot left of 16. Patrick Cantlay drives the green. Cantlay goes close with his long birdie putt. Rose, having chipped down to 20 feet, needs to make the birdie putt. It’s pin-drop time. Silence before a roar greets a putt rolled calmly into the hole, bang on its straight line and with dead weight. Rose flatly refusing to go away!

On 15, Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy trade laser-focused approaches, then staunch birdie putts. That’s a world-class exchange, so much moxie. Europe are dormie three. Ludvig Aberg carelessly wedges his tee shot over the back of 13 and hands back the hole he’d just picked up from Brooks Koepka. Three down now, holes are running out for the young Swede.

Rose v Cantlay 1UP (15)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (15)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (14)
3UP Hatton v Harman (13)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (13)
Straka v Thomas 1UP (11)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 1UP (10)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (9)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (9)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (8)
Europe 12-6 USA

Tyrrell Hatton missed an opportunity to go three up on Brian Harman at 12. He doesn’t pass up the one he has from ten feet at 13. He goes three up. Meanwhile Tommy Fleetwood holes a long bunker shot across 9, and he hits the turn one up against Rickie Fowler!

Justin Rose refuses to lie down! He rams in a straight 12-foot birdie effort on 15, and Patrick Cantlay’s lead is back to just the one. A huge outpouring of emotion as he spins through 180 degrees to punch the air and scream his delight! Meanwhile birdie for Ludvig Aberg on 12 and that’s another reduced US lead.

Rose v Cantlay 1UP (15)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (14)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (13)
2UP Hatton v Harman (12)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (12)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (10)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (9)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (9)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (8)
3UP MacIntyre v Clark (7)
Europe 12-6 USA

Scottie Scheffler’s wedge at 18 comes out hot. It rolls past the flag, positioned back left of the green, and for a second looks like trundling all the way into the water behind. But it stops short on the bank. Over to Jon Rahm, who has a putt for the win and to halve the match … though realistically, given its from 90 feet, over two ridges, he’ll just be looking to get close and hope Scheffler doesn’t chip in.

A potential turning point in the Fitzpatrick-Homa match on 13? Homa has a four-foot downhill putt for the win. He prods at it with great uncertainty, the ball dribbling apologetically to the right of the cup. He’s still one hole to the good, but with holes running out, a two-hole lead would have put Fitzpatrick under all sorts of pressure. Meanwhile Tyrrell Hatton misses from six feet at 12. The putt wold have put him three up.

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (17)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (14)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (13)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (13)
2UP Hatton v Harman (12)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (11)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (9)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (9)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (8)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (8)
3UP MacIntyre v Clark (7)
Europe 11½-5½ USA

It’ll be huge if Jon Rahm can snatch half a point off Scottie Scheffler. And it’s advantage Europe on 18, as Scheffler’s drive finds the thick stuff down the right. Rahm in the centre of the fairway. Scheffler pulls a fairway wood from his bag anyway. He lashes it out of the oomska towards a bunker guarding the front right of the green. It doesn’t go in. His ball nestles in the thick rough again, but looks to have sat up nicely. Rahm responds by crashing his second into the front of the green. Advantage Europe certainly, but Scheffler is exactly where Cantlay found himself yesterday, and look what happened there!

“First match taking on significant psychological importance.” Simon McMahon there, who can speak for me. “Gonna be very hard for the USA to win if Scheffler doesn’t, I think. Though, of course, this being the Ryder Cup, anything could happen. Europe hoping that cometh the hour, cometh the Rahm.” The pair trade pars on 17 – Scheffler’s putt to see out the match from 20 feet sliding by – and they’re off up 18 now. Meanwhile bogey for Justin Rose at 14, and having done so much hard work to rein in Patrick Cantlay, the American’s lead is two again. To be fair, I have no idea how Cantlay’s brilliant 40-foot birdie putt didn’t drop, the ball balancing on a dimple right by the edge, so that’s the deserved outcome if we’re being honest with ourselves.

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (17)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (14)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (13)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (12)
2UP Hatton v Harman (11)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (11)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (9)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (9)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (8)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (8)
3UP MacIntyre v Clark (7)
Europe 11½-5½ USA

Birdie for Sam Burns at the par-three 13th, and the World Matchplay champion isn’t finished yet. Rory misses from eight feet and the lead is back to three. Meanwhile his compatriot Shane Lowry rakes one in from the edge of 7 and once again he wheels away in arm-waving excitement. On that subject, turns out there was no diktat to keep everything on the down-low, according to Viktor Hovland, who was asked about it by Sky. So Shane has the freedom to cavort all he likes. He just needs to keep winning holes.

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (17)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (13)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (13)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (11)
2UP Hatton v Harman (11)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (11)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (8)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (8)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (8)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (7)
3UP MacIntyre v Clark (5)
Europe 11½-5½ USA

This is really hotting up now. Rahm and Scheffler take turns to cream their tee shots at the short par-four 16th into greenside rough, then whip dainty chips to kick-in distance. Only the fifth hole they’ve tied today, and they’ve done this one in birdie. Meanwhile Viktor Hovland has a putt to win his match against Collin Morikawa from the fringe at 15, and lags to pick-up range. Over to Morikawa, who has a 12-footer left to continue the match.

Justin Rose is still alive all right! He steers in a snaky downhill 12-footer on 13, and he’s reduced Patrick Cantlay’s lead to one hole. Is Patty Ice melting in the white-hot heat of Singles Sunday? Ludvig Aberg certainly isn’t, as he rattles in a 15-footer on 10 that sees Brooks Koepka’s birdie effort and keeps the deficit to two holes.

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (15)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (14)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (12)
4UP McIlroy v Burns (11)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (11)
1UP Hatton v Harman (10)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (10)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (8)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (8)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (7)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (7)
3UP MacIntyre v Clark (5)

Scottie Scheffler sends his approach at 15 to 20 feet, makes the birdie putt, and this lead match continues to-ing and fro-ing in hysterical fashion. He wanders off with his arms spread wide, soaking up the acclaim from the American fans, who are making themselves heard. Their team are giving this a proper go, and that’s further illustrated by Collin Morikawa raking in a long one across 14 to give Viktor Hovland something to think about. Meanwhile a sensational eagle for Ludvig Aberg on 9, a laser-guided long iron from 272 yards setting up a six-footer. It’s all happening!

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (15)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (14)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (12)
4UP McIlroy v Burns (11)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 2UP (10)
1UP Hatton v Harman (10)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (10)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (8)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (8)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (7)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (6)
3UP MacIntyre v Clark (5)

An outrageous escape for Brian Harman on 10! With Tyrrell Hatton in for par, he holes out from the rough, an ice-cool wedge that causes his opponent to slope off quietly seething. Meanwhile Wyndham Clark seriously overhits putts on 4 and 5, and suddenly he’s three down in the anchor match. And an uncharacteristically careless three-putt bogey for Patrick Cantlay on 12, and Justin Rose isn’t dead yet.

Shane Lowry didn’t get the memo about keeping celebrations to a minimum. Having reduced his arrears against Jordan Spieth to two holes with birdie at 6, he started beating his chest with great vigour, in the King Kong style. This means plenty all right. Meanwhile his fellow Irishman, Rory McIlroy, screeches a wedge to a halt four feet from the flag at 11, and after Sam Burns’ ten-foot birdie effort slips by on the low side, he tidies up to stretch his lead to four holes.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (14)
4UP Hovland v Morikawa (13)
Rose v Cantlay 3UP (11)
4UP McIlroy v Burns (11)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 2UP (10)
1UP Hatton v Harman (9)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (8)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (7)
Hojgaard v Schauffele 1UP (7)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (6)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (6)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (4)

Birdie for Patrick Cantlay at 11, and the hill Justin Rose has to climb just got even steeper. Meanwhile the lead match continues to swing hither and yon. Scottie Scheffler sticks his approach at 14 to 18 inches or so, and the birdie putt is conceded. Rahm can’t drain his long birdie effort, and the match is tied again. Only four halved holes in 14 between these two.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (14)
4UP Hovland v Morikawa (12)
Rose v Cantlay 3UP (11)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (10)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (9)
1UP Hatton v Harman (9)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (8)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (7)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (6)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (6)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (5)
2UP MacIntyre v Clark (4)

Par at 10 is enough for Rory McIlroy to immediately restore his three-hole cushion over Sam Burns. An uncharacteristically tentative par putt by Burns from ten feet there. Meanwhile Viktor Hovland nearly drains a long eagle putt at 12, but the two-footer he leaves himself for birdie is enough to go four up over Collin Morikawa. And birdie for Brian Harman at 9, and having been three down to Tyrrell Hatton after 5, his deficit is now just one hole. This is far from over yet.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (13)
4UP Hovland v Morikawa (12)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (10)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (10)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (9)
1UP Hatton v Harman (9)
Aberg v Koepka 3UP (8)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (7)
Hojgaard A/S Schauffele (6)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (6)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (5)
1UP MacIntyre v Clark (3)

Scheffler simply doesn’t have the confidence in his putting right now. He dribbles a weak birdie effort wide on the low side, and having already conceded Rahm’s putt, suffers a two-hole double-whammy in the shortest of orders. Europe lead the first match again. Meanwhile birdie for the USA’s star turn, Max Homa, on 9, and he’s turned things around quickly against Matt Fitzpatrick.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (13)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (11)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (10)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (9)
Fitzpatrick v Homa 1UP (9)
2UP Hatton v Harman (8)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (7)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (6)
1UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (5)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (4)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (4)
1UP MacIntyre v Clark (2)

Justin Rose gets up and down from the bottom of the swale at 10. Upon rolling in his ten-footer for par, he shushes someone in the crowd. Rose gets out of Dodge with a half, hanging onto Patrick Cantlay’s coat-tails. Meanwhile birdie for Rickie Fowler at 4 levels the penultimate match with Tommy Fleetwood. And in the lead match, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler take turns to throw darts at the flag on the par-three 13th. Rahm is super-close, a couple of feet away, so Scheffler will surely have to make the eight footer he’s left with.

Scottie Scheffler finds rough off the tee at the par-five 12th. He ends up requiring to make a 15-footer for his birdie, with Jon Rahm already in for his four. He steps away from the putt, causing the crowd to hoot and holler at him. Unsettled, he can’t make the putt, and the lead match is all square again. Meanwhile Bob MacIntyre puts a good roll on a 12-foot slider on 2, and he takes an early lead against the US Open champion Wyndham Clark in the anchor match.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (12)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (11)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (9)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (9)
Fitzpatrick A/S Homa (8)
2UP Hatton v Harman (8)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (7)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (6)
1UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (5)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (4)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (3)
1UP MacIntyre v Clark (2)

Here’s an illustration of how good Jon Rahm’s shot from the side of the creek at 10 was. Justin Rose, having sliced his tee shot into similar territory, has a much better lie, a much better stance, and can only force his ball halfway up the fairway. He’s in danger of letting match three slip away from him. But it’s a sixth birdie of the day for the irrepressible Viktor Hovland, who re-establishes his three-hole lead over Collin Morikawa.

Sam Burns sends a long-iron heatseeker to the 9th pin, from 263 yards to eight feet! One of the shots of the week. He’s not minded to miss his eagle putt, and Rory’s birdie isn’t enough. The world matchplay champion cuts McIlroy’s lead to two holes as they turn.

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (11)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (10)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (9)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (9)
Fitzpatrick A/S Homa (8)
2UP Hatton v Harman (7)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (6)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (5)
2UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (4)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (4)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (2)
MacIntyre A/S Clark (1)

A second birdie for Jordan Spieth at 3, and Shane Lowry has work to do already. Spieth’s good buddy JT birdies 5 and he’s two up as well, against Sepp Straka. But better news for Europe back on 2 as Tommy Fleetwood flings a dart at the flag and tidies up for his birdie, to take an early lead against Rickie Fowler.

Rahm v Scheffler 1UP (11)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (10)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (9)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (8)
Fitzpatrick A/S Homa (8)
2UP Hatton v Harman (7)
Aberg v Koepka 2UP (6)
Straka v Thomas 2UP (5)
2UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (4)
Lowry v Spieth 2UP (4)
1UP Fleetwood v Fowler (2)
MacIntyre A/S Clark (1)

Justin Rose and Patrick Cantlay trade birdies from eight feet on 9. Patty Ice hits the turn still two holes up. Matt Fitzpatrick gets himself out of position at 8 and Max Homa, who has previously had to make a couple of five-footers for halves, gets his reward for hanging on in there by levelling the match. Meanwhile par is enough at 6 for Brooks Koepka to go a couple up against Ludvig Aberg.

All sorts of trouble for Jon Rahm on the short par-four 11th. He pulls his tee shot long and left, then gets a flyer out of the thick rough. His ball topples down the bank on the other side of the green, and he takes two chips to get back up. It’s all immaterial anyway, as Scheffler walks in his 25-foot birdie putt. Two holes down through 5, the world number one has clawed his way back and now hits the front in the lead match.

A staunch up-and-down from the front of 8 salvages a half for an out-of-position Rory McIlroy at 8. Sepp Straka and Justin Thomas trade 25-footers for birdie at 4. With Straka having made his first, that’s some display of moxie by JT, who doffs an imaginary cap, hollers loud, then cups his ear at the gallery. With Patrick Reed absent for LIV-related reasons, Thomas is doing a fine job of deputising for Captain America!

Rahm A/S Scheffler (10)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (9)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (8)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (8)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (7)
2UP Hatton v Harman (6)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (5)
Straka v Thomas 1UP (4)
2UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (3)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (2)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (1)
MacIntyre v Clark

Two putts for Rahm on 10, and that’s one of the most outrageous pars you’ll ever see. That second shot from the bank by the creek was something else, and the reward is a very unlikely half. Scheffler will feel he’s had his pocket picked. The lead match remains all square. Meanwhile a second birdie in three holes for Nicolai Hojgaard, and the young Dane is off to a flyer against Xander Schauffele.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (10)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (9)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (8)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (7)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (7)
2UP Hatton v Harman (6)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (5)
Straka v Thomas 1UP (4)
2UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (3)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (2)
Fleetwood A/S Fowler (1)
MacIntyre v Clark

Ah, in fact Rahm is dry. Just. His ball has stuck itself on the bank beside the creek. He’ll have to manufacture something special here, the ball above his feet in thick rough, a wooden footbridge not too far in front of him. He takes an animalistic lash at the ball, and somehow, from 180 yards, muscles it onto the green! He’s 50 feet away, yet somehow just inside Scheffler, whose approach was made from the centre of the fairway! That’s one of the shots of the tournament. (Credit to the late, great Peter Alliss for “animalistic”, a word he used to describe a similarly astonishing Hail Mary swipe made by Jack Nicklaus from gorse going up the 18th at Turnberry towards the denouement of 1977’s legendary Duel in the Sun.)

Jordan Spieth has been all over the show this week. Beyond erratic, but always entertaining. But he’s come out of the traps today flying, sending an arrow at 1 to a couple of feet and taking the opening hole off Shane Lowry. Meanwhile on 10, it looks like Jon Rahm has found a creek down the right. But there’s good news for Europe on 7, where Rory McIlroy nearly aces, just like Collin Morikawa moments ago. Birdie puts the world number two in control against the current WGC Matchplay champion.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (9)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (8)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (7)
3UP McIlroy v Burns (7)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (6)
2UP Hatton v Harman (5)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (4)
Straka A/S Thomas (2)
1UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (1)
Lowry v Spieth 1UP (1)
Fleetwood v Fowler

Par is enough for Patrick Cantlay on the par-three 7th. Justin Rose had found himself plugged under the face of a bunker, and while he did extremely well to flip out to eight feet, Hartley Wintney’s finest couldn’t make the downhill tickler he’d left himself. Always missing on the low side. Meanwhile a birdie for Scottie Scheffler at the par-five 9th ties up the lead match, his opponent Jon Rahm having been all over the place. A productive couple of minutes for the USA, who need more good things to happen for them, and fast.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (9)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (8)
Rose v Cantlay 2UP (7)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (6)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (5)
3UP Hatton v Harman (4)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (3)
Straka A/S Thomas (1)
1UP Hojgaard v Schauffele (1)
Lowry v Spieth

A walk-in eagle two for Matt Fitzpatrick at the driveable par-four 5th! He regains the lead over Max Homa. Nicolai Hojgaard meanwhile birdies 1 to start fast against Xander Schauffele. But there’s some much-needed good news for Team USA at the long par-four 8th. Viktor Hovland’s drive puts him out of position from the get-go. He’s forced to lay up, and par is enough for Collin Morikawa to take back a hole.

The Open champion Brian Harman sends his tee shot at the par-three 4th long. He can’t get up and down from the greenside rough, and that’s another hole to Tyrrell Hatton, who has fair flown out of the blocks. “Koepka v Aberg is the perfect draw for Brooks,” writes Colin Livingstone, setting himself up for the fine punchline. “When he gets his fit of pique, Kopeka will be able to call Aberg childish without causing offence.”

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (8)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (7)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (6)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (5)
Fitzpatrick A/S Homa (4)
3UP Hatton v Harman (4)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (2)
Straka A/S Thomas (1)
Hojgaard v Schauffele

Tyrrell Hatton cops a lucky lie in rough down the 3rd. He takes full advantage, swishing to six feet and rolling in the birdie putt. He goes two up quicksmart, but doesn’t waste too much energy celebrating. In fact, as erstwhile European player, captain and serial winner Paul McGinley observes on Sky Sports, none of the home team are expending precious joules on unnecessary gadding about. Serious work to do. A diktat from Captain Donald, perhaps.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (8)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (7)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (6)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (5)
Fitzpatrick A/S Homa (4)
2UP Hatton v Harman (3)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (2)
Straka A/S Thomas (1)
Hojgaard v Schauffele

An elegant flop up from the bottom of a swale to the back-right of the short par-four 5th by Rory McIlroy. In the air, you’d be forgiven for thinking he’d left it short. Even as it lands on the fringe, perhaps. But it’s almost perfectly judged, hitting the downslope and rolling out to four feet. He rolls in the birdie putt to restore his two-hole cushion over Sam Burns.

What a putt, Viktor Hovland! He knows he’s got to make his downhill curler on 7, with Morikawa in so close, and he positively rams it in. It’d be still going had it not hit the hole, but that’s not the point. He’s made the perfect read, so it drops, and while it’s only a half, it feels like a win. He punches the air and this guy really is some player. Meanwhile fine birdie for Max Homa at 4, and he levels against Matt Fitzpatrick.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (8)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (7)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (5)
1UP McIlroy v Burns (4)
Fitzpatrick A/S Homa (4)
1UP Hatton v Harman (2)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (1)
Straka v Thomas

So much for Collin Morikawa’s struggles! Having made an awful mess of 6, a chip up the false front rolling back to his feet, he responds by nearly acing 7, his gentle fade landing on the front of the green and rolling a couple of inches wide right of the cup. He’ll have a two, maybe three-footer for birdie. Viktor Hovland is on, but facing a tricky right-to-left swinger down a ridge, so chances are the USA will be taking a hole back here. Meanwhile disappointment for Justin Rose at the driveable par-four 5th. He fails to get up and down from the fringe, a bang-average chip leaving too much work to do with the putt. A chance to level with Cantlay spurned.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (7)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (6)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (5)
1UP McIlroy v Burns (4)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (3)
1UP Hatton v Harman (2)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (1)
Straka v Thomas

Rahm’s birdie putt on 7 misses on the right by the width of a dimple, but he remains one up on Scheffler. Meanwhile Burns takes back a hole from McIlroy on the par-three 4th, reward for sending his tee shot to ten feet and rolling in the straight putt. Opening birdie for the previously underperforming Brooks Koepka to take the early lead over Ludvig Aberg. And trouble for Collin Morikawa on 6. His ball topples off the false front and he requires two chips to get back up onto the green. With Hovland on in regulation, 12 feet away, the hole’s conceded. The two-time major winner is struggling right now.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (7)
3UP Hovland v Morikawa (6)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (4)
1UP McIlroy v Burns (4)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (2)
1UP Hatton v Harman (2)
Aberg v Koepka 1UP (1)
Straka v Thomas

Collin Morikawa missed a couple of short putts yesterday as he struggled to close out his and Sam Burns’ match with Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg. Now he rolls in a six-foot knee-knocker to halve 5 with Hovland. He really needed that, to avoid slipping three down in short order. Meanwhile the aforementioned Burns magically escapes 3 with par, getting up and down from greenside rough, but it’s all in vain as Rory McIlroy rattles in his birdie putt. An opening birdie for Tyrrell Hatton and this continues to go very well for Europe … although Scheffler makes his short birdie putt on 6 to snatch back a hole. Perhaps the flat stick is warming up at long last.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (6)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (5)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (4)
2UP McIlroy v Burns (3)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (2)
1UP Hatton v Harman (1)
Aberg v Koepka

Scheffler sends his wedge at 6 over the flag to five feet. To think Rahm had been happy enough landing his pin high to 15. Putting contest coming up, and if Scheffler doesn’t make this birdie putt, the alarm bells really will start ringing. Meanwhile bother for Burns on 3, where he’s hacking his way up the hole in the rough, while McIlroy is safely on in regulation.

Yep, Scheffler’s putter is misbehaving badly. He shoves a short birdie putt wide right on 5. Rahm’s had already been conceded, and these are worrying signs for the world number one in the lead match. Meanwhile par at 4 is enough for Hovland to go two up in the second match. And Max Homa’s opening tee shot finds rough. He can’t punch his second up the false front of the green. He chips up to seven feet, but there’s no need for him to take his par putt because Matt Fitzpatrick, having sent his approach to eight feet, rolls in for birdie. This is a really impressive start by the European team. It’s the start Team USA needed.

2UP Rahm v Scheffler (5)
2UP Hovland v Morikawa (4)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (2)
1UP McIlroy v Burns (2)
1UP Fitzpatrick v Homa (1)
Hatton v Harman

The return of Patty Ice! Having uncharacteristically tugged at a short one on the 1st, Cantlay smoothly walks in a 30-footer for birdie on 2, then wanders off in the style of a man popping down the shop for the paper and 20 Bensons. Hovland has two putts to win the 3rd against an out-of-position Morikawa but only needs one. And Rahm nearly rakes a 30-foot birdie putt on 4, but it doesn’t matter because Scheffler three-putts. A reasonable chance that flat stick will gift the point in the lead match to Europe. Scheffler’s been jittery on three greens out of four; the other hole was secured with the security blanket of two putts for the win.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (4)
1UP Hovland v Morikawa (3)
Rose v Cantlay 1UP (2)
1UP McIlroy v Burns (1)
Fitzpatrick v Homa

Sky’s first swear-box apology of the day as Collin Morikawa sends his tee shot at 3 into thick rough. A really jaded “eff me” delivered in the laid-back Californian style. Plenty more to come, kids! Enjoy, enjoy. Back on 1, Sam Burns, who had found the bunker at the front, splashes out weakly, leaving himself a 20-footer for par. He can’t make it, and it costs him the hole.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (3)
Hovland A/S Morikawa (2)
Rose A/S Cantlay (1)
1UP McIlroy v Burns (1)
Fitzpatrick v Homa

Rory, who also had the dubious honour of being serenaded to the tune of the Cranberries ersatz-grunge dirge Zombie, cracks his opening tee shot down the middle. His opponent Sam Burns clearly didn’t get the memo about the caps: his is still sitting atop his noggin. He carves one into the gallery down the right, and pulls his approach short and left of the green. Meanwhile up on 3, a spot of trouble for Rahm, who finds greenside rough and gets a flyer with his chip, and all the matches out on the course are now level.

Rahm A/S Scheffler (3)
Hovland A/S Morikawa (2)
Rose A/S Cantlay (1)
McIlroy v Burns

The US team aren’t wearing their caps on the 1st tee today, in a performative show of solidarity with the under-fire and perma-hatless Patrick Cantlay. The man himself returns the favour by firing his approach at 1 to five feet. Patty Ice – a play on Matty Ice, the nickname of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, and a reference to his unflappable demeanour – betrays his monicker by pulling the birdie putt nervously. Anything to do with his nemesis Rory McIlroy’s name being announced back on the tee, and the accompanying roar reaching the green as he made his backstroke? The plot thickens!

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (2)
Hovland A/S Morikawa (1)
Rose A/S Cantlay (1)

Another tentative putt by Scheffler. He really should be levelling his match with Rahm, but doesn’t give the straight nine-footer enough juice. It stops apologetically on the lip, and that’s a big chance spurned.

Plenty of boos greet Patrick Cantlay as he turns up for work. Given the events last night between his caddie and Rory McIlroy, this can’t be a surprise to anyone. He’ll be going round with Justin Rose today, and Europe’s veteran, the only fortysomething playing this week, gets the love he deserves. The pair split the fairway. Up on the green, Hovland nearly drains his 30-foot uphill birdie putt. But it turns left on its last turn. The door’s open for Morikawa, but he runs into the wall, pushing his 12-footer wide right.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (1)
Hovland A/S Morikawa (1)
Rose v Cantlay

Europe need four points to win today; the USA require eight-and-a-half to retain their trophy and nine for outright victory. The holders have to start fast, you’d have thought, so Scheffler does well to respond to losing the opening hole by getting well inside Rahm on the 2nd green. Meanwhile back on 1, Morikawa gets a big break, his tee shot so wild that he’s on the rough trampled by the gallery. He can reach the green and his approach lands pin high, where he’ll have a good look at birdie. Hovland well outside him.

As Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa turn up for their match, the roars drift all the way down the hole, to the comparative tranquility of the green. A few oohs and aahs there as Scheffler leaves a tentative birdie putt three feet short. No mistake by Rahm, though! A calm, perfect, laser-guided roll, and it’s the fastest start for Europe. He raises his putter in the air by way of reserved celebration. Meanwhile there’s more good news for the hosts back on the tee as Hovland splits the fairway, but Morikawa pulls his tee shot into the gallery.

1UP Rahm v Scheffler (1)
Hovland v Morikawa

Rahm pings his first iron of the day pin high, 15 feet to the left of the flag. Scheffler takes dead aim, but he’s a little short and will have a slightly longer birdie putt, maybe 20 feet or so.

Scheffler shed a tear or two yesterday after finding himself on the end of a record-breaking 9&7 reverse. He’s clearly regrouped, because he calmly bashes his opening wood down the track. Rahm follows him onto the short stuff, and this, old golfing buddies of mine, is on!

Scottie Scheffler comes out of the tunnel. It’s the only time so far that a member of Team USA has emerged first. A smattering of pantomime boos, but nothing really vicious, Scheffler being too darn likeable. If you’re after that sort of thing, let’s wait for Patrick Cantlay. The passion is reserved for Jon Rahm’s arrival. Bedlam, roar, tumult, etc. These two giants of the sport embrace each other warmly. Scheffler about to take the first shot of the final day of the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Days like this don’t come around too often. The atmosphere in the stands surrounding the first tee at Marco Simone is positively incendiary, and no wonder. Just to illustrate what the Ryder Cup means to people, yesterday saw the world number one dissolve in tears on the course, the world number two reduced to effing and jeffing at people in a car park, and the world number five having to deny creating a locker-room rift due to his placing a monetary value on something so precious. Yep, this tournament has value all right, just not something that can be measured in nickels and dimes. Right now, just for today, this is everything. The opening match is about to arrive at the 1st. Buckle up folks, because one way or another, it’s going to be special.