How Saturday foursomes unfolded: Dominant Europe increase lead at Ryder Cup

Europe's biggest stars shone brightly as the hosts won Saturday morning's foursomes session 3-1 to extend their overall lead to 9½-2½.

Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Åberg set the ball rolling by inflicting a record 9&7 defeat on World Number One Scottie Scheffler and five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka before the visitors got their first win of the week courtesy of Max Homa and Brian Harman, who beat Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka 4&2.

Rory McIlroy maintained his 100 per cent record at this year's contest by beating Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth 2&1 alongside Tommy Fleetwood, while Europe managed to win a close-fought bottom match 2&1 after Jon Rahm almost holed his tee-shot at the 17th.

Here is a look at how Saturday's morning session unfolded at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.

Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood won 2&1 against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth

Europe took an early three-hole lead and despite attempted fightbacks from the U.S. pair, remained three up with six to play. But they let things slip somewhat and McIlroy’s over-ambitious decision to go for the green when up against the face of a bunker at the 14th proved a mistake. But McIlroy found his form on the greens to hole birdies at the 15th – where he celebrated wildly – and 17th which ground out the win.

Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Åberg won 9&7 against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka

The Scandinavian duo picked up where they left off on Friday morning, but their opponents did not perform to the best of their abilities and never recovered from playing the first three holes in five over. The United States were put out of their misery at the 11th, with Europe winning a total of nine holes and the U.S. pair going the whole match without registering a win.

Max Homa and Brian Harman won 4&2 against Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka

The match was close through ten holes, with the U.S. pair never more than one hole up, but Europe were never ahead and won only three holes all morning. Homa’s walk-off chip-in at the 16th was a brilliant way to seal the win.

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton won 2&1 against Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele

The match seemed to be in Europe’s control as they were 3 UP through 11 holes, having lost only one hole. But three successive U.S. wins led to a nervy finish, although that was eased when Hatton holed a birdie putt on the 16th and then Rahm almost aced the short 17th.