What Every Pairing Shot On Friday At The 2023 Ryder Cup
We look at how each pairing performed against the course on day one of the 2023 Ryder Cup
Europe opened up a commanding 6.5-1.5 lead after a dramatic day one of the 2023 Ryder Cup. For the first time in the tournament's history, Europe completed a clean sweep of the opening session and then extended their advantage in the afternoon fourballs thanks to some late heroics from Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm and Justin Rose.
The writing was on the wall early for Zach Johnson's side in the morning foursomes as Europe grabbed the early momentum and kept hold of it. In match one, Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton were far too good for Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns, putting the first point on the board after completing a 4&3 victory.
Building on that, Hovland partnered rookie Ludvig Aberg to devastating effect, making it 2-0 with a 4&3 win over the line-up of Max Homa and Brian Harman, who were far from their best.
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka took down Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa in the penultimate game of the foursomes, before Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood put the finishing touches on a memorable morning at Marco Simone to make it 4-0.
Into the afternoon fourballs and the hosts once again started better but the US, led by Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in game one, did threaten a comeback. Thomas, in particular, showed why Johnson had no issue in picking him, clinching a half point against Hovland and Hatton to get the away side off the mark.
In the second fourball match, an eagle-par-eagle finish from Rahm salvaged a half point against Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, who took aim at the Spaniard in the aftermath.
Justin Rose holed a 12-footer on 18 in the next game alongside Robert MacIntyre to complete the recovery from dormie two down for a half, moments after McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick comfortably beat Xander Schauffele and an out-of-sorts Morikawa.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
Despite the scoreline at the end of day, most of the matches were dramatic in some way, especially the fourball encounters. Some players ran hot and others struggled, but what score did each pairing shoot on Friday against the card at the Roman venue?
Friday foursomes
Match 1
Rahm & Hatton: -6 for 15
Scheffler & Burns: -1 for 15
Match 2
Hovland & Aberg: -3 for 15
Homa & Harman: +1 for 15
Match 3
Lowry & Straka: -1 for 17
Fowler & Morikawa: +1 for 17
Match 4
McIlroy & Fleetwood: -4 for 17
Schauffele & Cantlay: -2 for 17
Friday fourballs
Match 1
Hovland & Hatton: -8 for 18
Thomas & Spieth: -7 for 18
Match 2
Rahm & Hojgaard: -10 for 18
Scheffler & Koepka: -10 for 18
Match 3
MacIntyre & Rose: -7 for 18
Homa & Clark: -8 for 18
Match 4
McIlroy & Fitzpatrick: -10 for 15
Morikawa & Schauffele: -5 for 15
A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
Chantel McCabe Facts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The American Broadcaster
Discover more about American broadcaster Chantel McCabe via these facts regarding her life and career so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Australian PGA Championship Cut To 54 Holes After Friday Wash Out
The Australian PGA Championship has been reduced to 54 holes after heavy rain washed out Friday's second round without a ball being struck
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Relax Rory' - Couples Backs LaCava And Reveals What Caddie Said To McIlroy
Fred Couples has revealed what Joe LaCava said to Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup and insists his former caddie did nothing wrong
By Paul Higham Published
-
Players Back Luke Donald To Retain Ryder Cup Captaincy
Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood are among the latest players offering their support to the Team Europe Ryder Cup captain
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tour Pro Says Brooks Koepka's Response To Ryder Cup Question Showed 'Everything That's Wrong With The US Team'
Eddie Pepperell thinks an answer Koepka gave to a question at the Ryder Cup hinted at why the US team came up short
By Mike Hall Published
-
NBC Reports Significant Drop in Ryder Cup Viewing Figures As Sky Sports Announces Record Week
Fans either side of the Atlantic showed contrasting levels of interest in TV coverage during the 2023 Ryder Cup
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Sergio Garcia Drops Subtle Hint Over 2025 Ryder Cup Captaincy Role
The record Ryder Cup points scorer reposted two social media messages putting his name forward for the position
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy Believes Team Europe Were Able To ‘Flourish’ Without LIV Golfers
The World No.2 suggested new responsibilities for the likes of Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland helped Luke Donald's men at Marco Simone
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Graeme McDowell Questions Ryder Cup Course Set-Up After Fifth Big Home Win In A Row
The former Ryder Cup player thinks it may be time for the Europeans and Americans to collaborate on how the courses are set up
By Mike Hall Published
-
10 Reasons Why Europe Won The 2023 Ryder Cup
Europe stunned America as they prevailed 16.5-11.5 to overturn their record defeat in Whistling Straits two years earlier, but what led to the win?
By James Nursey Published