Europe strikes back in Ryder Cup and ties record for largest lead

Europe's Viktor Hovland throws his ball to the crowd after winning his with playing partner Europe's Ludvig Aberg on the 15th green 4&3 morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Europe's Viktor Hovland throws his ball to the crowd after winning his with playing partner Europe's Ludvig Aberg on the 15th green 4&3 morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Justin Rose celebrates after putting to tie his match on the 18th green during his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Europe's Justin Rose celebrates after putting to tie his match on the 18th green during his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Tommy Fleetwood reacts after a chip onto the 10th green narrowly missed going holing out during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Europe's Tommy Fleetwood reacts after a chip onto the 10th green narrowly missed going holing out during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Andrew Medichini

United States' Max Homa react on the 18th green after missing a would-have been match winning putt during his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

United States' Max Homa react on the 18th green after missing a would-have been match winning putt during his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

The first morning Foursome match of United States' Scottie Scheffler, and United States' Sam Burns against Europe's Jon Rahm and Europe's Tyrrell Hattonat, leave the 1st tee at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

The first morning Foursome match of United States' Scottie Scheffler, and United States' Sam Burns against Europe's Jon Rahm and Europe's Tyrrell Hattonat, leave the 1st tee at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Team Captain Luke Donald gestures to the crowd on the 1st tee during the morning Foursome matches at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Europe's Team Captain Luke Donald gestures to the crowd on the 1st tee during the morning Foursome matches at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Andrew Medichini

United States' Team Captain Zach Johnson, left speaks to United States' Justin Thomas on the 18th green during the afternoon Fourballs matches at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia )

United States' Team Captain Zach Johnson, left speaks to United States' Justin Thomas on the 18th green during the afternoon Fourballs matches at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) Gregorio Borgia

Europe's Sepp Straka chips onto the 16th during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Europe's Sepp Straka chips onto the 16th during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Jon Rahm reacts on the 18th green after his birdie putt gives Europe a tie in their afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia )

Europe's Jon Rahm reacts on the 18th green after his birdie putt gives Europe a tie in their afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) Gregorio Borgia

Europe's Rory Mcilroy, center, celebrates with playing partner Europe's Tommy Fleetwood after they won their morning Foursome match 2&1, in the background is United States' Team Captain Zach Johnson, at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Europe's Rory Mcilroy, center, celebrates with playing partner Europe's Tommy Fleetwood after they won their morning Foursome match 2&1, in the background is United States' Team Captain Zach Johnson, at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Andrew Medichini

Europe's Jon Rahm celebrates on the 10th green during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Europe's Jon Rahm celebrates on the 10th green during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Viktor Hovland, left, celebrates with playing partner Europe's Ludvig Aberg on the 15th green after winning their morning Foursome match 4&3 at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Europe's Viktor Hovland, left, celebrates with playing partner Europe's Ludvig Aberg on the 15th green after winning their morning Foursome match 4&3 at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Viktor Hovland, right, shakes hands with United States' Max Homa on the 15th green after winning during their morning Foursome match 4&3 at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia )

Europe's Viktor Hovland, right, shakes hands with United States' Max Homa on the 15th green after winning during their morning Foursome match 4&3 at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) Gregorio Borgia

United States' Patrick Cantlay chips out of a bunker on the 16th green during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

United States' Patrick Cantlay chips out of a bunker on the 16th green during his morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Andrew Medichini

United States' Xander Schauffele, left and playing partner United States' Patrick Cantlay look at their putt on the 14th green during their morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

United States' Xander Schauffele, left and playing partner United States' Patrick Cantlay look at their putt on the 14th green during their morning Foursome match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) Andrew Medichini

United States' Scottie Scheffler, left gestures with playing partner United States' Sam Burns during their morning Foursome match on the 11th green at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

United States' Scottie Scheffler, left gestures with playing partner United States' Sam Burns during their morning Foursome match on the 11th green at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Alessandra Tarantino

Europe's Viktor Hovland reacts and celebrates after his birdie putt earned Europe a tie in his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia )

Europe's Viktor Hovland reacts and celebrates after his birdie putt earned Europe a tie in his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia ) Gregorio Borgia

By DOUG FERGUSON

Associated Press

Published: 09-29-2023 6:09 PM

Modified: 09-29-2023 6:09 PM

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy — Europe swept the opening session of the Ryder Cup for the first time in its history, a beating so thorough that none of the foursomes matches reached the 18th hole.

And then somehow it got even worse for the Americans.

Right when they were on the verge of escaping Friday with a manageable deficit, Europe delivered one punch after another on the 18th hole at Marco Simone. It left the Americans without a single win on opening day for the first time in Ryder Cup history, and it gave Europe a record-tying lead in its bid to regain the cup.

Three fourballs matches came to the 597-yard closing hole, all of them looking like a red American point on the board.

And then Viktor Hovland made a 25-foot birdie putt. Jon Rahm made a 35-foot eagle putt that slammed into the back of the cup. Justin Rose finished it with an 8-foot birdie putt, all those matches ending in a tie.

For a moment, it looked like the day would end with Europe holding a 5-3 lead.

Instead, it was 6 1/2-1 1/2. The five-point lead matched the biggest margin after one day, last done by Europe at Oakland Hills in 2004 when it handed the Americans their worst loss.

“Historic day,” European captain Luke Donald said “But we want it to be an historic week. So the job is certainly not done. We will all celebrate an amazing day, but we’ll be back tomorrow morning with the goal of trying to win tomorrow morning’s session.”

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

U.S. captain Zach Johnson could only offer hope that the tide would turn. He offered no excuses other than a mysterious mention of a bug going through the U.S. team.

“It did not go in our favor today. Doesn’t mean it can’t tomorrow or Sunday,” Johnson said. “Tip my cap to the European team for playing great golf. Our time’s coming.”

Europe now needs only to win eight points from the remaining 20 matches to extend its winning streak at home that dates to 1993. Donald pushed all the right buttons by starting with foursomes, which he considered a European strength that would give him a hot start.

And then he let his stars do the work. Rory McIlroy was the only player to win both his matches, even if he rode the amazing play of Matt Fitzpatrick in fourballs. Fitzpatrick won five straight holes on the front nine in the only fourballs match that ended early.

Rahm twice holed big shots off the green in foursomes with Tyrrell Hatton and hit the pin with his tee shot on a par 3. In the afternoon, he made two eagles over the last three holes.

Hovland got this shot-making clinic started in the morning when he chipped in from 45 feet, off a tight lie on the fringe and over a ridge. He ended his day with that big birdie, a putt that paused ever so briefly before taking one final turn into the cup.

“They are studs. They are three of the top four players in the world,” Donald said. “You need your superstars firing. You need them playing well. Without that, it’s really an uphill battle. They stepped up and did what they needed to do, and I’m so proud of them.”

Europe had the stars, all the pivotal shots and a delirious home crowd pushing them along the way. It was a rude welcome and a harsh reminder to the Americans why it has been 30 years since they last won the Ryder Cup away from home.

The American stars fell flat. Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay lost their foursomes match to “Fleetwood Mac” — McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. The American tandem had been 5-0 in foursomes at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth were undefeated in fourballs in three previous Ryder Cup matches. They had to settle for a a halve when Hovland made his big putt.