Patrick Cantlay of Team United States celebrates winning his match 1 up during the Saturday afternoon fourball matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 30, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

While no team has ever come back from a 10½ to 5½ deficit, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee believes U.S. captain Zach Johnson should concentrate on another piece of history.

Team USA needs 8 ½ points on Sunday to retain the Cup. That number has been reached in singles a total of four times from both sides: 1979, 1999, 2006 and 2012.

Chamblee believes the depth of Team USA and the momentum that Cantlay and “hat gate” created on Saturday gives Johnson’s team a chance.

“The top six players for Europe, are almost exactly the top six players from the United States,” said Chamblee on “Live From the Ryder Cup.”

“The bottom six players from Europe and the bottom six from the United States, it’s not a fair fight.”

– Beth Ann Nichols

Seve close to their hearts…

A lovely moment in the @DPWorldUAE Chalet where @RyderCupEurope Vice Captain @thomasbjorngolf shows the crest of Seve that’s sewed into all the teams uniforms this week. pic.twitter.com/a24PpNdM0w

— The Jazzy Golfer (@thejazzygolfer) September 30, 2023

Team Europe has a special touch on their Ryder Cup shirts that’s hidden from view. Stitched on the back of the Ryder Cup shield is the logo of Seve Ballesteros.

“So that’s where we carry him, close to our hearts,” Ryder Cup vice captain Thomas Bjorn told a crowd gathered at the DP World UAE chalet. The Jazzy Golfer posted a video of Bjorn’s remarks on Twitter.

“Those are the little things when you go in our team room and in our corridors, he’s always there in our history, and he’s part of creating what this is all about.”

European captain Luke Donald put 13 lockers in the team room this week, adding an extra one in honor of Ballesteros, whose image is the last thing players see on their way out the door.

“We carry on that story,” said Bjorn. “We carry on what the generations of the past have done, but we keep the focus on this generation to have to create their own story with the Ryder Cup and live their own lives.

“I think Luke has managed fantastically to balance that out.”

– Beth Ann Nichols

Max Homa and Brian Harman of Team United States celebrate winning their match 4&2 on the 16th green during the Saturday morning foursomes matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 30, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

The partnership of Max Homa and Brian Harman remains one of the few bright spots on Zach Johnson’s team. After putting up the first full point for Team USA in Saturday morning foursomes, the rookie duo came back out in the afternoon and beat Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard, 2 and 1, in fourballs.

“We basically have zero things in common about where we’re from,” said Homa. “But we are the exact same person on the inside. So I very much enjoyed vibing with Brian, watching him play. He is steady Eddie. It just made me feel like I could just go be myself, and I think that’s why we work so well together.”

Harman, winner of this year’s British Open, told Homa “left foot, right foot” on the way to the first tee. Just keep doing what they’re doing.

“It’s just been incredible,” said Harman of their newfound bond. “Love him. And you’re not going to be able to take this partner away from me.”

– Beth Ann Nichols

Sam Burns bringing some much-needed emotion to the USA Ryder Cup squad 😤

"What was that? What'd you say? I can't hear you. I can't f***ing hear you."

More: https://t.co/K4NxJF8jAopic.twitter.com/ap4oEGv6x1

— Pro Talk (@On3ProSports) September 30, 2023

Rookie Sam Burns took his mullet to another level this week when he had U-S-A shaved on the side of his head.

When the normally laid-back Burns unleashed on the crowd Saturday, turns out it was a comment about his hair that had him fired up.

After Burns knocked in a short putt on the sixth hole, he cupped his ear with his hand and shouted to the European fans, “What was that? What’d you say? I can’t f-ing hear you.”

“I’m over the putt about to hit it and they tell me to ‘get a haircut’ and it went in,” Burns explained. “I just wanted to say I can’t hear you anymore because they didn’t say anything after that. That’s all, just let them know.”

Burns and his partner Collin Morikawa put up the first point for Team USA in afternoon fourballs, dusting Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg, 4 and 3.

–Beth Ann Nichols

European fans have certainly caught wind of reports that Patrick Cantlay’s refusal to wear a team hat this week is because he’s not being paid. SkySports reporter Jamie Weir first tweeted about Team USA’s reported fractures and Cantlay’s hatless stance on Saturday morning.

Coming out of commercial, NBC made sure to show a sea of European fans waving their own hats right in Cantlay’s face.

Fans waving their hats right in the face of Patrick Cantlay.
(via NBC) pic.twitter.com/hkAddHkvub

— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) September 30, 2023

NBC analyst Paul Azinger said he’s not buying the story.

“That’s just hearsay,” said Azinger during the broadcast. “It’s a garbage story. It’s just clickbait in my opinion.”

Cantlay and U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark were down early in their fourball match against Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.

— Beth Ann Nichols

The Nike golf shoes of Tommy Fleetwood of Team Europe (obscured) during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

There are some serious fashion statements being made at the Ryder Cup.

Golfers from both sides showed off their fancy duds with their wives and girlfriends at the Wednesday night gala.

The fans are already out in force sporting the Red, White and Blue of Team USA or the blue and gold for Team Europe.

There’s plenty of Ryder Cup gear available for fans on-site or rooting on from home.

And we can’t forget about the shoes at the 44th rendition of the biennial matches, taking place this year at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy.

Check out the shoes the Ryder Cup golfers are wearing at Marco Simone.

Wins have been tough to come by for the Americans so far in Rome, but after the front nine Saturday afternoon, Max Homa and Brian Harman hold a 4-up lead over Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Højgaard, while Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa hold the same lead over Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.

That's 3🆙@Maxhoma | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/7gTH9Ns9lz

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 30, 2023

Team USA most likely needs to sweep Saturday afternoon’s session to have a shot of completing a comeback on Sunday.

— Riley Hamel

Leave it to stats extraordinaire Justin Ray to put Tommy Fleetwood’s foursomes performance in perspective.

The Englishman’s 4-0-0 record puts him on a short list of players who have gone unbeaten and untied in at least four foursomes appearances. Jack Burke Jr. and Gardner Dickinson are the only other players with flawless foursomes records.

Team Europe golfer Tommy Fleetwood and golfer Rory McIlroy celebrate on the seventeenth green during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Fleetwood once again paired with Rory McIlroy on Saturday morning, defeating Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, 2 and 1.

Fleetwood famously paired with Francesco Molinari in 2018 – a partnership forever known as Moliwood.

This year’s nickname comes naturally: “Fleetwood Mac.”

“Like I said yesterday, there’s so many people on this planet that dream of playing with Rory,” said Fleetwood, “and I’m the one who has had the opportunity to do it for the last two mornings. Just happy to be along for the ride and play some good golf.”

— Beth Ann Nichols 

Team Europe golfer Viktor Hovland (right) smiles during day two foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. (Photo: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports)

Team Europe is in the driver’s seat with the car in cruise control and the GPS set for the trophy presentation. The hosts lead the Americans 9½-2½ entering Saturday afternoon’s fourballs session after they claimed the morning foursomes session, 3-1, to extend their advantage to a nearly insurmountable lead.

Check out the Saturday fourballs pairings, which feature a few new pairings for the U.S.

It took far longer than anyone expected, but Team USA finally won its first full point and it took two rookies to get it done. Max Homa chipped in from the back of the green for eagle on the drivable 16th to close out the match, 4 and 2, against Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka. From the looks of it, Homa knew it was good straight away.

First win on the board.@maxhoma | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/9BmbSVaLvx

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 30, 2023

Homa and partner Brian Harman never trailed in the match, taking control with three birdies and an eagle on Nos. 10 to 13.

“We needed something to go our way,” said Homa. “I felt like we were ready this morning. We were ready to come out and play some great golf which we did. Somebody had to start a spark, so I’m just glad it was us.”

— Beth Ann Nichols

Things are not going well for Team USA this week.

After Friday’s poor effort in both foursomes and fourballs sessions, captain Zach Johnson said the U.S. was dealing with “some unforeseen things that we’ve had to navigate around, which is really unfortunate, in the sense of health.”

Now there is reportedly some friction between team members, according to Jamie Weir from Sky Sports.

Understand from several sources that the US team room is fractured, a split led predominantly by Patrick Cantlay.
Cantlay believes players should be paid to participate in the Ryder Cup, and is demonstrating his frustration at not being paid by refusing to wear a team cap.

— Jamie Weir (@jamiecweir) September 30, 2023

This is all alleged, of course, but it wouldn’t be surprising given Cantlay’s past actions when it comes to how money is distributed on the PGA Tour.

For the second consecutive day Team USA didn’t get off the bus and Team Europe took advantage.

After the second match ended historically early, Justin Thomas couldn’t believe what he saw on the scoreboard. It’s not every day the world No. 1 and a five-time major winner lose to a rookie and second-timer at the Ryder Cup.

“9&7???” pic.twitter.com/JhSYYOKSQe

— Joseph LaMagna (@JosephLaMagna) September 30, 2023

2 hours and 19 minutes. That’s how long it took for Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland to dispatch of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and five-time major champion Brooks Koepka. The Scandinavians put the first point of the day on the board with a historic 9-and-7 beatdown of the Americans, the largest margin of victory in an 18-hole match in Ryder Cup history.

The largest ever winning margin in a Ryder Cup foursomes match 👏#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/dbX6rVHJ4t

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023

Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy picked up where they left off on Saturday morning and took an immediate lead in their match against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Fleetwood Mac won the first three holes (two with par) to put some immediate blue on the board for Team Europe.

2 UP through two.

A fast start on Saturday 🇪🇺#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/9vtiF38ux7

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023

In the second match of the day, the Scandinavian pairing of Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg also took advantage of Team USA struggles early with a 4-up through four holes lead over Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka. The Americans went double-bogey-double to start and stopped the bleeding with a matching birdie at the par-4 5th hole. The wound didn’t scab as Aberg rolled in a birdie putt on No. 6 to extend their advantage to 5 up and send a jolt through the lively European crowd.

It’s early, with lots and lots of golf left, but this looks all too similar to yesterday’s foursomes drubbing. — Adam Woodard

Let’s talk about the morning foursomes pairings really quickly.

Europe Captain Luke Donald is trotting out the same four teams that swept the U.S. in Friday’s morning session – and why not? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. He’s got his Big 3 of Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy spaced out and two of the three playing with rested players in Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Aberg, who got his first taste of Ryder Cup pressure and held up admirably.

Fleetwood was swooning about McIlroy the way he did the same for his former partner Francesco Molinari in 2018. Instead of Moliwood, they are Fleetwood Mac.

The U.S. needs a spark at the top of its batting order from Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. The latter played poorly in afternoon fourballs on Friday and will need to contribute more in a format that is more punishing.

Johnson wisely benched Sam Burns for a second straight session. He and Scheffler may be pals but they didn’t mesh. Scheffler and Brooks Koepka just ran into Rahm, who refused to lose a full point on Friday. Koepka is playing mad and Scheffler showed a lot of passion.

Max Homa and Brian Harman must be a data analytics play because Wyndham Clark was the better player than Homa on Friday when they partnered. U.S. Captain Zach Johnson described him as a golfer who likes his back up against the wall and that is definitely the case for Harman.

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are the U.S. anchor team. After losing for the first time as a team in foursomes in the Ryder Cup, they will look to get revenge on Fleetwood Mac in what should be a spirited match to follow. — Adam Schupak

From a friend on the grounds at Marco Simone #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/HlPFo7oFKV

— robmillertime (@robmillertime) September 29, 2023

Merchandise at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. (Photo: Adam Schupak / Golfweek)

I’d say the selection inside the Ryder Cup shop is a little disappointing in that it’s essentially the usual suspects – polos, hats, quarter zips, hoodies, headcovers and the accessories you see at just about any tournament.

I do like the soccer jersey look that is prevalent and best displayed by G/Fore, which also scores with its CIAO hat and scarf.

The most unusual item for sale? The Ryder Cup logoed bathrobe takes the prize in my book. Who knew we needed one of those?

Most of the big brands are there – Nike, Peter Millar – but also local favorite Chervo and Euro standbys such as Sunderland, Glenmuir and Abacus.

Here’s more from the merch tent.

— Adam Schupak

Fans applaud in the first grandstand prior to the first tee shot of the Friday morning foursomes matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 29, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

A few members on this year’s European team have already played on the course before, giving a pretty sizable advantage to Team Europe before the tournament even starts, but May is many months gone at this point. Conditions at Marco Simone are very different than what they were during the Italian Open.

What will the weather be like this weekend?

Saturday will have a low of 58 around start time, followed by a steady climb to 85 around 3:30-4. Winds, again, will blow mostly north/northeast around three or four miles per hour, before turning southeast just afternoon.

Sunday is just a little bit different. While temperatures will remain the same, starting in the low-60s/high-50s and climbing into the low-to-mid-80s, the wind will be facing east the entirety of the day, starting in the northeast around five miles per hour, and slowly picking up to seven miles per hour while turning to the southeast.

Humidity should be a non-factor. By the time 10 a.m. rolls around, humidity drops into the mid 40s, which is considered close to perfect. — Jon Hoefling, USA Today

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Fans from across Europe and the United States are packing Marco Simone all week, clad in red, white and blue for the Americans and blue and yellow for the Europeans. Some fans take it to the next level, dressing up in ways that only pictures can describe.

The fans going all out for the event is part of the reason why the Ryder Cup is the grand event it is.

Here’s a look at some of our faves from the week.

— Cameron Jourdan

Team Europe golfer Tommy Fleetwood and golfer Rory McIlroy celebrate on the seventeenth green during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

It was 2009 when McIlroy, a rising star having just turned 20, was asked at the Irish Open about one day playing on the Ryder Cup team. His answer was not well received.

“It’s not a huge goal of mine,” he said. “It’s an exhibition at the end of the day. In the big scheme of things it’s not that important of an event for me.”

Oops!

McIlroy was able to laugh at those comments this week. He’s now Europe’s most experienced player. This is his seventh Ryder Cup, one more than Justin Rose. Europe is 4-2 in Ryder Cups in which McIlroy has played.

He celebrated in style on Friday, hugging Tommy Fleetwood after the duo clinched an early point and then showing more emotion and humility as he watched Matt Fitzpatrick lead the way while earning another point in the afternoon.

It was a stark contrast to those 2009 remarks.

“I took a bit of grief for those comments, and rightfully so,” he said. “I was just so focused on myself and trying to get my career off the ground that I felt like I had sort of bigger and better things to achieve for my individual goals … that I just didn’t put any emphasis on making a Ryder Cup team until you make one. And then you never want to be off one again.”

— Adam Schupak

Jon Rahm of Team Europe and Brooks Koepka of Team United States shake hands on the 18th green during the Friday afternoon fourball matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 29, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

“So yeah. I mean, I want to hit a board and pout just like Jon Rahm did. But, you know, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we’re adults. We move on,” said Brooks Koepka after Friday’s action.

If things were emotional and chippy yet, they’re about to be.

A dream start for #TeamEurope

It's the first time the U.S. Team hasn't won a single match in a day @RyderCup. pic.twitter.com/4p2saUNubf

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 29, 2023

The European team room has a locker for the late, legendary Seve Ballesteros, which includes the last shirt the Spaniard ever wore for Team Europe.

Over eight appearances for the continental all-stars, Ballesteros earned a 20-12-5 record and provided some moments that will go down in the event’s illustrious history. Ballesteros would’ve been proud of his fellow countryman Jon Rahm on Friday as the big man from the Basque region created some highlights of his own.

Rahm chipped in three times over the first two sessions and made two eagles down the stretch in his fourball match alongside Nicolai Hojgaard against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka. The last eagle was straight out of Seve’s playbook.

JON RAHM 😲#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/zSbR5vMbSE

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

What makes the putt even better is before the putt, the rookie Hojgaard went up to Rahm and said, “Do it just like Seve would.”

“There was definitely a little bit of Seve magic on that one,” said Rahm with a smile. “He definitely pulled that one towards the hole.”

Jon Rahm’s short game has been on point all day on Friday.

The Spaniard holed out twice from off the green during his foursomes victory in the first match of the day as he and Tyrrell Hatton knocked off Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.

Rahm did it again in the afternoon. At the drivable par-4 16^th hole, Rahm smashed his drive 307 yards but left himself a 21-yard chip from the rough. He popped it on to the green and watched as it crashed into the stick and dropped in for eagle. It probably would’ve rolled off the green had it not made a beeline for the flag.

Rahm erupted in celebration, pumping his fist and screaming in delight. The chip-in tied his match with two holes to play against Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka and sent the crowd into a rousing version of Ole Ole Ole. Definitely one of the highlights of a spirited back-and-forth match. — Adam Schupak

JON RAHM, WOW! 🤯#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/CqUUwBjtGX

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

Along with the best golfers in the world, a number of top celebrities have been spotted at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome on Friday.

Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale, and Carlos Sainz Jr. were seen cheering for Team Europe. The 24-time Grand Slam champion even asked Tommy Fleetwood for a photo.

Taking it all in.#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/WbQd1P13vn

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

.@GarethBale11 and @DjokerNole cheering on from the side lines 🙌#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/O3YzOaO6GP

— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 29, 2023

Even @DjokerNole wants a photo with @TommyFleetwood1 📸#RyderCup | #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/tDexU3B6Qd

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

— Elizabeth Flores, USA Today

Team USA golfer Scottie Scheffler prepares to putt on the eighth hole during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

After losing in Friday foursomes with his buddy Sam Burns, Scottie Scheffler is in a dogfight on Friday afternoon, paired with Brooks Koepka in fourball against Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard.

Scheffler’s putter has betrayed him in recent events and after the Tour Championship, he called one of golf’s leading putting coaches, Englishman Phil Kenyon. A few days later they began working in Dallas on his putting woes.

Kenyon confirmed what Schefflers thought might be wrong.

“The way I moved the putter through the ball, I was kind of fighting the toe rising on the putter as I went through, and so sometimes I’d miss contact a little bit in the heel,” he explained. “In order for me to try to keep my putter head low, the way I would do it is I feel everything in my hands, and what I would do is I would lower my hands. But when I lowered my hands, it actually caused the toe of the putter to go higher and higher. So as the year went on, my hands are getting lower and lower, and the problem is getting worse and worse.

“It was something I couldn’t figure out, and it was preventing me from hitting as many putts on line as I should have.”

Here’s more on the story.

— Adam Schupak

You might be shocked to learn this, but Matt Fitzpatrick put up a gooseegg at the 2021 Ryder Cup. Safe to say that won’t be happening this year.

The Englishman made par on the first hole of his fourball match alongside Rory McIlroy against Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele before rattling off five consecutive birdies to take a 5-up lead through six holes. That’s right, 5 up through six, solely with Fitzpatrick’s ball. McIlroy’s along for the ride early and enjoying every second of it. — Adam Woodard

More of this please @MattFitz94 💪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/TZSW7WLkR8

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

Sure, the American side struggled mightily in the opening session on Friday, but oh, the accessories.

Here’s a quick look at some of the early fun from our Adam Schupak:

Greller’s sock game is 🔥 💪 pic.twitter.com/1SeNXFKIEg

— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) September 29, 2023

Head cover game is 💪 to very 💪 pic.twitter.com/brjsyIMtJW

— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) September 29, 2023

If they spark a rally, they get my vote @golfweek @RyderCupUSA pic.twitter.com/DaFq7HHgIx

— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) September 29, 2023

— Golfweek

Spectators watch during the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Presumably then, that means embarking on that ancient practice of hanging around at a stop and waiting on a press shuttle bus.

The ferrying of the media masses from various hotels to the Marco Simone club has been as chaotic as the chariot race in Ben Hur.

The 6 a.m. local bus turned up at 7 – yes, the golf writers are up at that time even though some are just rolling in – the 7:30 bus left at 7:15 and the 8 a.m. one didn’t appear at all.

As you can imagine, the tempers among the scribbling brethren are beginning to fray. What was it old Caesar said again?

“It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience.”

Oh b******s, I’ve just missed another bus.

— Nick Rodger, The Scotland Herald

Team Europe golfer Ludvig Aberg celebrates after making his putt on the ninth green during day one foursomes round for the 44th Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When European captain Luke Donald announced Ludvig Aberg as one of his six captain’s picks, he mentioned Aberg “has the potential to be one of golf’s superstars.”

Donald played with Aberg at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit and was blown away by his game. The captain challenged the youngster to head across the pond to play more. It earned him a berth on the team.

Aberg is one of four making their Ryder Cup debuts for Europe, along with Nicolai Hojgaard, Robert MacIntyre and Sepp Straka.

For the Texas Tech product, his first action didn’t disappoint. After he shook off some early nerves, Aberg teamed with Viktor Hovland for a 4-and-3 crunching of Max Homa and Brian Harman.

“The crowds were unbelievable here today, and we could really feel that support and that’s what we need to keep winning points here in Rome,” Aberg said after the win. “So it was a lot of fun today.”

Here’s more on Aberg’s meteoric rise.

— Cameron Jourdan and Tim Schmitt

Team USA golfer Jordan Spieth (left) and golfer Justin Thomas (right) laugh during the opening ceremony for the Ryder Cup golf competition at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

All 24 players are getting in on the action on Day 1 as the four players for each team who sat in the morning will feature in the afternoon, most notably the American duo of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

Meanwhile, European captain Luke Donald hasn’t rolled out any of the same pairings from the morning sweep for the afternoon. Interesting.

Check out all four matchups here.

— Adam Woodard

Team USA has led after the opening session of the past four Ryder Cups, but things are wildly different in Rome. After Rory McIlory stuffed his approach on the 17th, Europe put the finishing touches on a perfect 4-0 sweep.

RORY MCILROY, TAKE A BOW! 🎯#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/4jqRsdtYbO

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

It’s the first sweep since 2018, when Europe posted the same results in Friday afternoon foursomes.

Captain Zach Johnson said he’s confident in his team’s ability to rebound.

“Adversity is something that I relish,” said Johnson. “I know it’s something this team relishes. There’s nothing wrong when your back’s against the wall. It’s about execution. It’s about banding together It’s about going out there and fighting. This team … I’ve got fighters.”

— Beth Ann Nichols 

Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka never trailed in their match against California kids Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa en route to a 2-and-1 win that put the third point on the board for the Europeans. The Americans made five birdies and six bogeys and didn’t put up much of a fight.

Third point on the board for #TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/Zuh9lJb0bU

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton shellacked good buddies Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns, 4 and 3, to put the first point on the board for the Europeans. Rahm and Hatton never trailed and the Americans won just one hole.

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns may be buddies but they're not working as a partnership. Currently 0-3-1 including the 2022 Presidents Cup.

– L to Rahm/Hatton (4&3, foursomes)
– L to Kim/Davis (2 up, foursomes)
– L to Lee/Kim (2&1, foursomes)
– Tied Im/Munoz (fourball)

— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) September 29, 2023

Just minutes later the Scandinavian pairing of Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg added a 4-and-3 win of their own over a pair of American rookies in Max Homa and Brian Harman to give the Euros an early lead in the session.

Hovland and Aberg claimed the first two holes but the Americans bounced back to square the match with wins at the third and fourth. The Euros stayed consistent with two more wins on Nos. 5 and 6 and never looked back.

European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald did a strange thing by leading off with foursomes, in the opinion of many pundits, including Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee.

It’s the first time since 1993 that the European team has chosen to open the Ryder Cup with foursomes rather than fourball.

“It’s pretty simple really, we feel like as a team, statistically, we are stronger in foursomes within our team than we would be in fourballs,” Donald explained of the decision. “Why not get off to a fast start? That’s it.”

Chamblee, speaking on Golf Channel’s “Live From,” called it “a mistake.”

“It is very important to win the first session from a momentum standpoint. But it’s significantly more important to lead after the first day. If you go back to 1997 to present, starting with fourballs allowed them to end with a strength on the first day, and mostly they’ve dominated in the foursomes,” Chamblee argued. “If you win the first session, you win the Ryder Cup about 60 percent of the time. But if you win the first day, you win 70 percent of the time. So in one fell swoop, he’s potentially thrown away a 10 percent chance, which is a monumental advantage given to the European side, and I think that’s a mistake.”

For all their success in the Cup, the Euros haven’t led after an opening session since 2006. But in the last four Cups at home, the Euros have bested the Americans in the foursomes format by a score of 22.5-9.5.

It’s early but there is a lot of blue on the board – all four matches at present – so maybe Donald knew what he was doing after all. — Adam Schupak

VIKTOR HOVLAND! 💪#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/olIR1Zq7Jy

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

Viktor Hovland was in the second match of the day alongside rookie Ludvig Aberg and gave the Euros an early lead against Max Homa and Brian Harman with a chip-in birdie on the first hole.

As if these fans needed more juice to get the day going.

The shot was impressive, don’t get me wrong, but was it better than Shane Lowry’s reaction on the first tee? You be the judge. — Adam Woodard

.@ShaneLowryGolf reacting to Viktor's chip in at the first 💪#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/p3ub954n3D

— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2023

It’s one of the coolest scenes not just in golf but all of sports, in my humble opinion, to be in the grandstands at the first tee for the start of the Ryder Cup. The songs, the cheers, the laughs. FOMO is a serious motivator to wake up for this spectacle.

European Ryder Cup vice captain Nicolas Colsaerts led a series of cheers from the first tee but the fans didn’t need much help. In the shadow of the Eternal City and with the sun rising out of the East, fans, many of them cloaked in flags from their various countries, chanted old standbys such as “I believe that we will win,” “Tommy-Tommy-Tommy,” and of course, “Ole, Ole, Ole.”

It warmed my heart to hear “We have two Molinaris,” for the brothers Edoardo and Francesco, who are both serving as vice captains in their homeland, and “Walking in a Lowry Wonderland,” had Shane’s father all smiles. It was a little under two hours of waiting to see all of four tee shots but it was glorious fun and I can’t wait to do it again tomorrow morning. — Adam Schupak

Euro vice captain Nicholas Colsaerts is whipping the crowd into a frenzy @rydercup pic.twitter.com/A4ascWGr8r

— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) September 29, 2023

And we’re off!

With Scottie Scheffler’s opening tee shot, the 44th #RyderCup is under way. #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/4B5UVihVKA

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023

Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler got things going by teeing off first. He’s teamed with Sam Burns while the Europeans countered with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton. Scheffler almost chipped in for birdie on the first green, his ball moving a bit too fast before lipping out. The two sides halved the first hole.

It’s zero-dark-30 in Rome and yet the fans were ready to rumble. Not far the famed Colosseum, golf’s gladiators are raring to go at the first day of the 44th Ryder Cup.

The gates didn’t open until 6:30 a.m. for the opening session of foursomes matches, but the fans were lined up. It reminded me of the WM Phoenix Open on Saturday. But the wait will be worth it if you get a spot in the grandstand circling the first tee. It’s one of the coolest scenes in sports. — Adam Schupak 

The stage is set for the 44th @rydercup.#RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/xGM8pbrmYn

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 29, 2023

(Photo: : Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

For the first two days at the 2023 Ryder Cup, the matches will begin at 1:35 a.m. ET on Friday (10:35 p.m. on Thursday for those viewers on the West Coast.

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Our columnist Eamon Lynch has been on-site at Marco Simone all week and captured a walking tour of what the entrance looks like for those who will make the trek.

—  Todd Kelly

United States team captain Paul Azinger and members of the team after winning the 2008 Ryder Cup at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. (Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press)

NBC lead analyst Paul Azinger, who was the winning U.S. captain at home in 2008, said he couldn’t believe the U.S. is being judged as the favorite.

“The Euros are the favorite by a mile,” Azinger said. “They have the home course advantage, and that’s becoming a huge thing.

“This is an emotional event for the players,” he continued. “It means the world to them. I think for Europe it’s immeasurable what it means for them to win the Ryder Cup. I think it’s more measurable for the Americans. I always feel that Europe should be the favorite in these events.”

Azinger’s thoughts weren’t echoed by everyone, though. Here’s what others had to say about who should be the Ryder Cup favorite.

— Adam Schupak