The first session of the 44th Ryder Cup well and truly went Europe's way as the hosts won all four morning foursomes matches, making history at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Here is a look at how the matches were won and what the players said.
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton beat Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns 4&3
Europe’s fiery duo got off to a flying start with Rahm almost making a hole-in-one as they won three of the opening seven holes. They were two up at the turn and, after Rahm secured a half at the tenth with a stunning chip-in, back-to-back successes put them in a commanding position before they closed out victory on the 15th.
I've had a good feeling about Tyrrell all along. Last time we played together it really felt good, and it was good to come out here and perform the way we did. It's an incredible foursomes match and we played as confident as two people can play, and it was a beautiful one.
Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg beat Max Homa and Brian Harman 4&3
One Ryder Cup match. One Ryder Cup Point.
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
Ludvig Åberg has arrived 🇸🇪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/a6HvRtxCl8
Hovland set the tone not only for his individual match but for the European team with a brilliant start, beginning with a chip-in birdie, holing a 20-footer at the second and almost chipping in at the next. When rookie partner Aberg holed a 15-foot par putt to win the ninth they went three up and a birdie at the 14th effectively sealed victory.
Normally I keep my head down and just play, but I'm trying to really get the crowds going and just use them because they want you to play well and they want to support you. So it was such a good start, and we're going to keep it going.
Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka beat Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa 2&1
First Ryder Cup point for @seppstraka! 🇦🇹#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/8C7rSmdsBq
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
The European pair won three successive holes from the seventh to reach the turn four up. Fowler finally holed a long putt at the par-three 13th to get the match back to two down but Europe won the next with a par and, even though they messed up the driveable par-four 16th after Lowry’s wild tee-shot, they held their nerve to seal victory on the next.
It's huge. We are off to a great start this morning. We need to keep the foot down. Myself and Sepp gelled well today. Very happy out there with him and enjoyed myself.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 2&1
THIS 🤩#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/trH5sTKlYM
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023
The European pair led from the fourth and doubled that advantage after Cantlay found the water at the eighth. The Americans fought back but Fleetwood’s brilliant chip at the 11th initially kept them at arm’s length. The US responded again at the 14th and should have drawn level at the next, only to three-putt for bogey as Fleetwood holed from 20 feet for par. McIlroy’s stunning tee-shot on the 17th sealed the win and completed the whitewash.
It's been an unbelievable session. We switched the format this year to go foursomes first because statistically that's our better session. And all week, all we've been talking about is getting off to fast starts. I'm so proud of this man alongside me (Fleetwood). He can play with anyone. I'm just so happy that he's my partner this week and so happy to get a point on the board for Europe.
