Match report
... and with that, I’m out of here. Back in the afternoon, when Europe will desperately try to turn the tide. Thanks for reading. Nighty night!
USA 6-2 Europe
Neither Thomas nor Hovland hit their birdie efforts ... and so none of the four remaining putts are stone dead. Fleetwood tidies up first, so Europe are assured of a half. Thomas is up next ... and in goes his putt to tie. Thomas and Cantlay tie with Fleetwood and Hovland.
Thomas/Cantlay A/S Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (F)
USA 6-2 Europe
Fleetwood very nearly holes out from the sand! He’s got a three footer left for his par. Cantlay then gets even closer; that’s a par, no question. So can either Hovland or Thomas drain their birdie putts and steal the spoils?
Cantlay dumps his second into sand guarding the front of the green. Next up Fleetwood, who follows him in there! Hovland is third up, and he sends his approach over the flag; he’s left with a 30-footer from the fringe at the back. And finally JT, by far the longest off the tee. He takes an age to decide which club to take, and it’s worth the anguish, because he then creams a gorgeous iron into the heart of the green. He’s slightly closer than Hovland. Big putting shootout coming up!
Cantlay and Thomas take turns to split the fairway. They’re in fine fettle. The gauntlet is down at Europe’s feet. Fleetwood follows the Americans down the middle ... then Hovland, after being attacked by a mosquito and stepping away from the shot, makes it four fine drives out of four. Given the circumstances, that is quite something.
Fleetwood lags his long birdie putt to kick-in range, and it’s conceded. Neither Hovland nor Cantlay can tickle in their slippery downhill efforts. So it’s down to Thomas, who has a downhill put of his own for birdie and the win, albeit from much closer range. He’s the width of one dimple from dropping it into the left-hand side of the cup, but the ball stubbornly stays up, and we’ll be going down 18. A huge hole for Europe, this. Huge for the USA, too, as they won’t want to cede any momentum, but at least the hosts have plenty of room for error.
Thomas/Cantlay A/S Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (17)
USA 5½-1½ Europe
USA 5½-1½ Europe
Hatton guides in his left-to-right slider for birdie, the very least he deserves for that approach! It secures half a point for Europe, anything gratefully received at the moment. He punches the sky in a mixture of relief and celebration, and is warmly congratulated by a smiling Scottie Scheffler, which is a lovely touch in the circumstances. A half is about right, Scheffler, DeChambeau, Rahm and Hatton having all contributed to the drama. Scheffler and DeChambeau tie with Rahm and Hatton.
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (F)
Thomas/Cantlay A/S Fleetwood/Hovland (16)
USA 5½-1½ Europe
Updated
Thomas has rediscovered his mojo at exactly the right moment! He whips his tee shot at the hellish long par-three 17th to 12 feet! Given the difficulty of simply finding the green, that’s a stunner. Meanwhile up on 18, Rahm is this close to draining a long birdie putt that would win the hole and secure a point. It’s all down to Hatton ...
Updated
Could Europe salvage half a point on 18, though? Scheffler finds the green with his second, but he’s not close. DeChambeau snags his approach in the fringe, and then Hatton screeches a stunning iron to a halt, eight feet from the flag. He’ll have a very good look at birdie. But on 16, Thomas steers in his eagle putt from the back of the green. He throws his arms wide open to soak up the roar of the gallery, then accept a chest bump from Cantlay! What a time to make an eagle! The USA are all level in the final match, and pity poor Fleetwood, who missed two tiddlers after the turn that would surely have got the job done. But now look! Can he respond?
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (17)
Thomas/Cantlay A/S Fleetwood/Hovland (16)
USA 5-1 Europe
Updated
Thomas sends a sensational second over the flag at the par-five 16th. He’ll have a look at eagle from 12 feet. What a shot! And it seriously spooks the Europeans, as Hovland mishits, almost a top, while Fleetwood hooks hysterically into Lake Michigan. This match will almost certainly be all square in a matter of moments. A reminder that Europe were at one point three up.
Updated
Scheffler sends a huge slice into the gallery down the right of 18 and a comic-book brouhaha almost kicks off as the punters jostle each other to get near to the ball. High spirits, nothing more, a lot of smiles amid the tumult. Concessions have been consumed. But DeChambeau finds the fairway, as do their European opponents.
Some staunch work on 15 from Fleetwood, who sends a confident 12-footer straight into the cup for the half. That keeps Europe in front - just - in a match they simply have to win. Cantlay and Thomas had their chances to win that hole, too, but both saw their 15-footers slide by. Meanwhile nobody can make a lengthy birdie putt at 17 - Hatton comes closest and swishes his putter through the air in irritation - and finally a match will be going down 18.
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (17)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (15)
USA 5-1 Europe
Updated
... and both Europeans make it, too! In fact, it’s Hatton who goes closest, arrowing his straight at the flag. He’s slightly unlucky that it bounces a good 20 feet past, but he’ll have the best look at birdie of the four. Some important rakes coming up!
The long par-three 17th has proved one hell of a hole today. Just finding the green is testing enough, especially with the wind up. So hats off to Scheffler and DeChambeau, who both find the dancefloor with fine shots under intense pressure. Over to Rahm and Hatton ...
Hatton’s effort is always missing on the left. But Rahm rolls his birdie putt in from the fringe! That’s a fine up and down from sand. However it’s only good enough for a half. DeChambeau can’t make his putt, but Scheffler has a chance as well, and he makes no mistake, holing out to keep American noses in front!
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (16)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (14)
USA 5-1 Europe
Just the two matches left out there now. On the par-five 16th, DeChambeau wedges his third to 12 feet. Rahm and Hatton are both outside him. Some big putts coming up.
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (15)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (14)
USA 5-1 Europe
Updated
BREAKING NEWS: Europe are in a wee spot of bother here.
USA 5-1 Europe
Wiesberger has putted very well this afternoon, for little reward. He rolls in his par putt on 17 to complete a fine up and down, but Schauffele isn’t missing from close range, and it’s another point for the hosts! Johnson and Schauffele beat Casey and Wiesberger 2&1.
2&1 Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (F)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (15)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (14)
USA 5-1 Europe
Updated
USA 4-1 Europe
... but before the US can close that out, Tony Finau - who has been on fire since the turn - strokes home a six-foot par putt for the half at 15, and closes out the match! Finau and English beat McIlroy and Lowry 4&3.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (16)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (15)
4&3 Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (F)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (13)
USA 4-1 Europe
Updated
Casey can’t wedge close at 17. Wiesberger gives it a good go from a very thick patch of rough, but he’s still left with a six footer, and it means Schauffele has two putts to win the match. He cradles it pin high to three feet, and this is all but over.
The home fans belt out the Star Spangled Banner. Fair play to them, it’s far from an easy melody to nail, and it’s a pretty tuneful rendition, especially as cold drinks may have been taken. It’s party time, in other words. Who can blame them? Their team are rampant!
Europe are really hanging on in the first match now. Neither Casey nor Wiesberger can find the green with their tee shots at the par-three 17th, both in thick nonsense, and the door creaks open for the hosts. Schauffele finds the dancefloor, and this is almost over. DJ flies the green, his ball ending up in the apron at the back, but still in better nick than either European.
A chance for Scheffler to win the hole at 15. He pulls his eight-foot opportunity wide left, but Europe aren’t dodging a bullet. Rahm was always out of position having flayed his drive down a bank, while Hatton can’t get up and down from greenside sand. DeChambeau wins with par, and the US hit the lead at a crucial juncture. However a little sliver of hope in the lead match, as Casey rolls in a 12-footer to win 16 with birdie, and Europe are still alive. Only just, though.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (16)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (15)
4UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (14)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (13)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Finau is this close to making his birdie putt. it would have been his fourth in six holes, and enough to close out the match. Just a par, though, which is matched by McIlroy’s two putts from distance. It’s dormie four, though.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (15)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (14)
4UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (14)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (12)
USA 3-1 Europe
Finau sends his second at 14 to ten feet. It’s way closer than either McIlroy or Lowry, who are only just on the front of a long green. A fair-to-middling chance that the in-form Finau could close this match out in short order.
Schauffele has a chance to close out the lead match on 15, but his 20-footer is never reaching the hole. It’s unlikely to be a big deal, though; the hole is halved and the match is now dormie. “The Europeans won’t need any cheese to give them nightmares tonight,” quips Wisconsin industry satirist Simon McMahon. “They need to get their heads in the game.”
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (15)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (14)
4UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (13)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (12)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
... and so Fleetwood nearly drains the 50-footer he leaves himself. Golf is a ridiculous game when you think about it. A wry smile washes across his coupon, but Hovland really needs to make this putt. He can’t, though. He sends his dribbler wide left, and this is threatening to turn very ugly for Europe, especially as Finau has just poured another one in on 13 to extend the USA’s lead further in match three! Thing is, the US have, pretty much to a man, been exceptional today. Europe are simply caught in their headlights.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (14)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (13)
4UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (13)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (12)
USA 3-1 Europe
Someone in the crowd is dressed as Richard Nixon. Everyone loves Nixon! The gallery are also pretty fond of the brilliant Patrick Cantlay, who nearly screws his tee shot at 12 into the cup. That’s a kick-in birdie, and a penny for the thoughts of Tommy Fleetwood, who must be replaying those missed putts over and again. He sails his tee shot miles over the flag, a very poor response. This will be down to Viktor Hovland, who lands his tee shot eight feet away. A must-make birdie putt for Hovland, in terms of European momentum, such as it is.
Updated
... but he shoves it dismally wide right. Fleetwood’s putter has gone stone cold at exactly the wrong time. Two short chances missed in two holes, and it’s the difference between a comfortable lead and a precarious one. With the Europeans needing every single point they can scramble to limit the damage on a difficult day, could this profligacy end up being extremely costly?
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (14)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (13)
3UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (12)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (11)
USA 3-1 Europe
A chance for Harris English to win the hole at the par-three 12th. Having stuck his tee shot to eight feet, this could put McIlroy and Lowry in serious bother ... but his weak effort dies off to the right. He and Finau are still three up, though. On 11, Hovland nearly slam-dunks a chip into the cup from the back of the green for birdie. Not quite. Par. It’ll leave Fleetwood with a five-foot opportunity, the result of a quite stunning arrowed approach, to win the hole ...
DeChambeau followed up his 417-yard drive on 7 with a mishit hybrid on 8. Now he follows his 404-yard effort at 13 with a duffed splash out of the bunker. Consistency not his strong suit. Just a par, and Europe remain level.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (13)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (13)
3UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (11)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (10)
USA 3-1 Europe
Fleetwood passes up a huge chance to re-establish Europe’s three-hole lead in the last match. He shoves a short one wide right on 10, and the hole is halved in par. Meanwhile up on 11, Finau drains one from the fringe to salvage a par. Lowry, who must have thought he would be putting for the win, nearly misses his four-footer, but the hole grabs enough of the ball for it to topple, just when it was threatening to spin out. Europe desperately need something positive sooner rather than later, day one notwithstanding.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (13)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (12)
3UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (11)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (10)
USA 3-1 Europe
The ever-entertaining Bryson DeChambeau crashes another monster drive. Just the 404 yards this time. He’s pin high at 13, albeit in a small bunker to the left of the green. That is gloriously preposterous. He’s left with a little splash out from the sand for eagle. He’s as exciting as they come.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (13)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (12)
3UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (10)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (9)
USA 3-1 Europe
DJ’s birdie run comes to an end at 13. Just the par, and a chance for Wiesberger and Casey to nick the hole. Wiesberger, who is a picture of calm despite it all, nearly steers in a right-to-left swinger over a hump from 20 feet. Casey has a much easier chance, albeit far from a gimme. A straight one from the fringe, 12 feet away. He gives it a fair old whack, and it’s always missing left.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (13)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (12)
3UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (10)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (9)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
... so now’s the time for the world number one to offer some resistance. Jon Rahm makes birdie on 11 to haul Europe back on terms in match two, then nearly aces the par-three 12th! But if that’s not sensational enough, Hatton knocks his to four feet, then DeChambeau lands his effort ten feet past the flag, spinning it back to a couple of feet, right next to Rahm’s ball! They’ll pick those up and move on.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (12)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (12)
3UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (10)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (9)
USA 3-1 Europe
Tony Finau is usually the most laid back of men. Not today. He celebrates with a great passion upon raking home a right-to-left slider from the fringe at the back of 10. Hey, he’s allowed! He’s just put his team three up, McIlroy unable to get up and down from the front. More of the wildness at 9, where Thomas rattles a 30-footer in from the front. It steals the hole from Hovland, who was inside and doesn’t hit his own birdie putt. A couple of big moments for the States ...
Updated
A blow for Europe in the lead match. They desperately need something to happen quickly, with holes beginning to run out. Wiesberger sends his tee shot at the par-three 12th close, to three feet, but though he makes the resulting birdie putt, it’s only for the half, because DJ rolls in a 20-footer for a bird of his own. What a time for the two-time major winner to turn it on; that’s the big man’s third birdie in a row. “Easy! Easy!” chant the gallery, channelling their inner 1970s Scottish football fan.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (12)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (10)
2UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (9)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 3UP (8)
USA 3-1 Europe
A little bit of succour for Europe in the final match. Tommy Fleetwood knocks his second to eight feet, and rolls in the putt. His second birdie in three holes wins another for Europe. A wide smile plays across Victor Hovland’s face. The first Norwegian to play in the Ryder Cup is really enjoying this.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (11)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (10)
2UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (9)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 3UP (8)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Scheffler walks one in on 10. Rahm can’t match it, and all of a sudden, those putts by Finau, Johnson and Scheffler have put a vibrant splash of red on this scoreboard! Europe need something to happen and quick.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (11)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (10)
2UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (9)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (7)
USA 3-1 Europe
This is a big one on 11. Casey and Wiesberger take turns to nearly chip in from the fringe at the back. Brave attempts, but one really needed to drop, because DJ has left himself a fairly straight 12-footer for birdie. In it rolls, and the USA are in full control of the lead match.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (11)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (9)
2UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (9)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (7)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Finau makes his birdie at 9, and there’s some daylight between the Americans and the Irish duo of McIlroy and Lowry. He cups his ear to encourage the crowd to roar, as if he really needs to.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (10)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (9)
2UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (9)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (7)
USA 3-1 Europe
The US threaten to pull away in match three. Coming off the back of his team-mate English’s birdie at 8, Finau screeches his second into 9 six feet from the flag. That’s turned up the pressure on McIlroy, who sends a flyer through the green. A rake stops the ball from toppling into a hazard, but he’s left with a hell of a chip, and European hopes may rest on Lowry’s long birdie putt from the front.
Updated
The debutant Wiesberger pulls an eight-foot birdie opportunity wide left at 10. That leaves the door wide open for Schauffele and Johnson. Schauffele’s six-footer horseshoes out, but no worries, because DJ has wedged up the bank to four feet. In goes his putt, and suddenly there’s a bit of a cushion in this afternoon’s lead match.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (10)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (9)
1UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (8)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (6)
USA 3-1 Europe
English makes his birdie putt on 8, and punches the air as the gallery goes wild. The hosts hit the front in the third match ... but they’re pegged back in the second, as neither DeChambeau nor Scheffler can make their 12-foot birdie putts. DeChambeau’s is a godawful misread, in fact, a few feet wide left and a similar distance passed. He allows a confused look to spread across his grid. Rahm strokes in his gentle right-to-left curler and it’s all square again. This is all really tight!
1UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (9)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (9)
1UP Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (8)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (6)
USA 3-1 Europe
Rahm, DeChambeau and Scheffler have the pin surrounded at 9. The big Spaniard, having bashed his drive the longest, is closest. Back on 8, though, it’s advantage USA, English knocking his second to five feet. That’s a lovely shot from the late-bloomer from Georgia, a two-time winner on Tour this year.
Updated
Fleetwood rattles in a birdie putt from the fringe at the back of 6. That turns the pressure up on Cantlay and Thomas, who both have eight-footers for their birdies. It’s too much. Cantlay races his wide left, while JT shoves one to the right. You’d have expected at least one of those to drop. All of a sudden, Europe has a little daylight in match four ... and could fatigue become a factor, with both US players having competed this morning, while the Fleetwood feet were up?
1UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (9)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (8)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (7)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 2UP (6)
USA 3-1 Europe
Paul Casey’s putter finally warms up. He rattles in a ten-footer at 9 for birdie, and the reward for an excellent approach is the win. He halves the lead of Johnson and Schauffele. All of these matches are beautifully in the balance!
1UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (9)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (8)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (7)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (5)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Lowry has a putt to win the par-three 7th, having whipped his tee shot pin high to 15 feet. Not quite. It slips by the left-hand lip. But a big putt drops at 8, DeChambeau stroking a right-to-left slider from 30 feet. Up goes the putter; up goes the volume.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (8)
1UP DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton (7)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (6)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (5)
USA 3-1 Europe
Tyrrell Hatton is the recipient of a long and loud haa-haaaaa! from some Nelson Muntz wannabe in the gallery, having pulled a short birdie putt at 7. Such a shame after a glorious tee shot. Also missing a chance to win a hole from short distance: Justin Thomas at 5. Battered by the wind, but that’s no excuse from six feet, a very uncertain prod always curling off to the right.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (8)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (7)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (6)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (5)
USA 3-1 Europe
Shane Lowry takes a spill down a bank, bouncing down it on the seat of his pants with perfect slapstick timing. He’ll be fine - and then he nearly holes his chip - but that’s another one for the old social media no doubt. Adding insult to near-injury, Europe lose the hole to Tony Finau’s birdie.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (8)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (6)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (6)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (4)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Europe finally win a par-five hole! McIlroy takes the DeChambeau route, but ends up in the bunkers. No matter. His second ends up in the fringe at the back of the green, from where he drains the putt. There’s more than one way to make eagle, huh? Meanwhile back at the laugh-a-minute 6th hole, comedy plus time equals tragedy for Hatton, who has an opportunity to win the hole from eight feet but tugs it.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (7)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (6)
Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry 1UP (5)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (4)
USA 3-1 Europe
Some top-drawer prop comedy on 6. DeChambeau, having recovered to find the green in two, rolls a long birdie effort towards the cup. For a second it looks like dropping ... but caddy Brian Zeigler, tending the flag, can’t get it out of the hole! Some panicked yanking follows. It’s not budging! If the ball hits the flag, it’s a penalty, given it was being tended. The ball stops just short. Very odd. Some embarrassed laughter, then some proper belly laughs as the match referee wanders across to see what’s what, and plucks the flag from its hole with graceful, gentle ease. A sheepish Ziegler, handed the stick, has the good grace to raise it in self-deprecating triumph. A cameo tailor-made for social media.
Updated
In the final match, the hosts are always out of position on 4. Hovland’s par four is enough for the win, Cantlay’s 20-foot attempt to scramble par missing by an inch or two on the low side.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (7)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (5)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (4)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland 1UP (4)
USA 3-1 Europe
The absurdity of that eagle has clearly irritated the gods of golf, who give DeChambeau a clip round the lug for being so bold and saucy. On 6, he takes hybrid off the tee, gets right under it, and skies one that lands in thick oomska near the gallery down the left. From the sublime-ridiculous to the ridiculous. Gotta say, life’s never boring with this dude. You have to love him. Brooks will come around eventually, you mark my words.
Updated
Tyrrell Hatton smoothly rolls a left-to-right birdie putt into the cup at 5 from 30 feet. It’s his third birdie in five holes. But it’s not even enough for a half, because Bryson tidies up for one of the most outlandish eagles in the history of the Ryder Cup! A 417-yard drive, a gentle 72-yard chip to a couple of feet, and in. Dearie me. Better news for Europe on 6, where Schauffele’s short birdie putt lips out; Paul Casey wins the hole in three.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (6)
DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton 1UP (4)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (4)
Thomas/Cantlay A/S Fleetwood/Hovland (3)
USA 3-1 Europe
Viktor Hovland, up a bank to the right of the par-three 3rd, trundles a chip into the cup! He waves a fist of delight, the match level again. Shane Lowry roars in the excitable style when draining a 30-footer from the fringe at 4 to salvage a half. And up on 5, DeChambeau, having cut the corner with brute strength, showcases his softer side, easing a delicate chip to three feet! He’ll surely be making his eagle. Come on, you have to love this guy.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (5)
DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton 1UP (4)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (4)
Thomas/Cantlay A/S Fleetwood/Hovland (3)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Bryson DeChambeau, cutting a corner over the heads of the spectators on the snaking par-five 5th, has just hit a 417-yard drive. That is absurd! It leaves him 72 yards from the flag. His partner Scottie Scheffler, no shortie himself, hits a 305-yard effort down the fairway, like a normal player, and the difference, having been unable to take on the left-to-right dogleg, means he’s coming in from 274 yards.
!
Meanwhile DJ, demonstrating that blootering one as hard as you can isn’t quite as easy as it looks, sends a wild hook over the grandstand to the left of 6. B-bye!
Updated
The par fives are costing Europe right now. Wiesberger is never in contention on 5, but Casey, having flown the green with his second, chips up to 12 feet. However he can’t make the putt, and DJ, having larruped his second to the front edge of the green, makes a birdie that puts the Americans in control of this lead match.
3UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (5)
DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton 1UP (4)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (3)
1UP Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland (2)
USA 3-1 Europe
A staunch 12-foot par putt by Fleetwood on 2, the lively wind bothering those famous locks. In it goes, and the half is saved. Meanwhile on 4, a sensational sand splash by Hatton, who has an awkward stance and a downhill lie, but flips his ball to kick-in distance. The escape spooks Scheffler into missing a six-foot par putt, and that’s a much-needed dash of blue on the old scoreboard.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (4)
DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton 1UP (4)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (3)
1UP Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland (2)
USA 3-1 Europe
Thankfully for McIlroy, his partner Shane Lowry gets up and down for his par. The wind’s really picking up now - 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph - so you’d think these conditions would favour the 2019 Open champion. Hole tied in par.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (4)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (3)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (3)
1UP Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland (1)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Not for the first time today, McIlroy skulls a bunker shot across a green, this time at 3. He’s really out of sorts, and not the only European struggling to find their A game right now.
It’s way too early for Europe to panic, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t do with something happening for them. It looks like the momentum might shift a little in this afternoon’s lead match, Paul Casey with a four-footer on 4 to nix Dustin Johnson’s scheme of winning the hole with his birdie. But he yips it, and stomps off in a performative huff. Trouble ahoy with the USA establishing a little cushion.
2UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (4)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (3)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (2)
1UP Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland (1)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
One of the great two-putts on 3. DeChambeau is faced with a huge left-to-right breaker from 40 feet. A misread sends it a good 15 feet wide right. No matter! He rolls in the next one, and there are no pictures on the card, ain’t that the truth. That’s salvaged a half for the hosts.
1UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (3)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (3)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (2)
1UP Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland (1)
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
Fleetwood’s birdie putt from the fringe at the back of 1 lips out. So close, but so far, and JT, whose putter was distinctly cold this morning, makes no mistake from ten feet. Fleetwood and Hovland are the only pairing this afternoon not to make a three on the opening hole, and it’s cost them.
1UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (3)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (2)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (2)
1UP Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland (1)
Hatton slices his tee shot at 3 into sand on the right. Both Scheffler and DeChambeau see their efforts blown off course to the left, the wind having picked up a tad. Rahm’s initially average-looking tee shot is suddenly the best of the lot. Meanwhile on 4, Schauffele hooks his drive into the briny.
Updated
Another approach knocked dead by Hatton, this time at 2. He looks in the mood for this. But it’s not enough for the win, because Scottie Scheffler makes his four as well, albeit less dramatically. Europe still haven’t won a par-five hole today; the USA are 7-0 up on that count. Up on 3, there’s no need for Dustin to kick in for his birdie, because Schauffele knocks one in from distance! Brutal for Europe, and that’s the first splash of red on the board.
1UP Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Wiesberger (3)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (2)
Finau/English A/S McIlroy/Lowry (1)
Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland
Advantage USA on the par-three 3rd, where Johnson swishes his tee shot to a couple of feet. And it looks to be advantage USA back on 1, where Tony Finau steers in a 30-foot left-to-right slider for birdie ... but it’s another half in birdie, as Shane Lowry walks in a ten-footer of his own.
Johnson/Schauffele A/S Casey Wiesberger (2)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (1)
Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry (1)
It doesn’t look like the afternoon entertainment will be lacking in quality. Both of the first two matches halve the opening hole in birdie. Xander Schauffele and Paul Casey make their threes in reasonably sensible style; the ones made by Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau are another matter entirely. Hatton screws his second to kick-in distance, while Bryson, having tried to drive the green and hit a spectator in the process, flops an outrageous chip from an awkward position on the bank to four feet. It’s going to be a fun fourball session all right.
Johnson/Schauffele A/S Casey Wiesberger (2)
DeChambeau/Scheffler A/S Rahm/Hatton (1)
Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry
Day one fourballs
Here are the pairings for the afternoon fourballs (all times BST). I’ll be back in an hour to report on the early afternoon exchanges and everything thereafter.
6.10pm: Johnson/Schauffele v Casey/Weisberger
6.26pm: DeChambeau/Scheffler v Rahm/Hatton
6.42pm: Finau/English v McIlroy/Lowry
6.58pm: Thomas/Cantlay v Fleetwood/Hovland
Updated
The hosts were magnificent this morning. Three wins, and even the match they lost was a ding-dong battle. Foursomes historically not their strongest suit, either. Europe will take succour from the way they bounced back from this scoreline three years ago at Le Golf National, with a 4-0 rout in the afternoon - albeit those afternoon matches were foresomes - and that the wind is expected to pick up. Some straw clutching there, perhaps, but what can you do.
Day one foursomes result
A great morning for the USA!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3&1
3&2 Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland
2&1 Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick
5&3 Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter
USA 3-1 Europe
Updated
USA 3-1 Europe
Nope. An aggressive putt shaves the left-hand side of the cup but is never dropping. Koepka tidies up to halve the hole in bogey, and the USA are off to a flyer! Koepka and Berger beat Westwood and Fitzpatrick 2&1.
Updated
... leaves it out on the right. A couple of feet past, too, so it’s not conceded. Over to Westwood. Can he extend the match?
The door opens for Europe at 17, where Berger sends his tee shot up the bank to the right. Westwood fails to take advantage with some friendly golf, landing his ball in exactly the same place. That is dreadful. Fitzpatrick lobs on, as does Koepka. Both leave putts from ten feet or so. Still a chance for Europe, but they’ll require Berger to miss his putt. He steps up, and ...
Updated
USA 2-1 Europe
Poulter can’t drain the long birdie putt, and the Postman doesn’t deliver this time. “It’s all about delivery drivers these days, isn’t it?” quips Simon McMahon. The hole goes to the USA, setting the seal on a rout. Cantlay and Schauffele beat McIlroy and Poulter 5&3.
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (16)
5&3 Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (F)
Updated
Daniel Berger is this close to dribbling in a downhill 12-footer for birdie on 16. It’d have secured a 3&2 win, but Europe survive at least one more hole. That’s looking unlikely in the last match, with Schauffele sending America’s second at 15 to 12 feet, well inside McIlroy’s approach.
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (16)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (14)
Updated
Patrick Cantlay puts a stop to any European notions of a comeback for the ages in match four. He screeches his wedge to a couple of feet. McIlroy can’t make a 20-foot birdie chance, and the USA are dormie four.
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (15)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (14)
USA 1-1 Europe
Casey gives the long birdie putt a good go, but it’s always missing on the left. Morikawa knocks in America’s short birdie putt, and it’s not taken the hosts long to draw level! Johnson and Morikawa beat Casey and Hovland 3&2.
3&2 Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (F)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (15)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (13)
Updated
It looks like it’s all over for Casey and Hovland, the former sending the latter into greenside sand. Hovland, his feet out of the trap and above the ball, can only smash out onto the fringe.
USA 0-1 Europe
... but JT can’t make the putt that would force Sergio to tidy up. Such a shame after Spieth’s outrageous heroics. Sergio’s coin is picked up, and the first point of the 2020 Ryder Cup is Europe’s! Rahm and Garcia beat Thomas and Spieth 3&1.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3&1 (F)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (15)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (14)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (13)
Updated
Poulter tickles in his downhill eight footer for birdie. Cantlay makes no mistake, and the US remain three up in the last match of the morning. Meanwhile on 17, Rahm rolls his long birdie putt four feet past, a little clumsy, leaving Sergio work to do if Spieth somehow gets close. And Spieth - down the bank, facing a wall of rough, unable to see the green - powers a sensational hail-Mary lob up onto the putting surface, six feet from the hole! Spieth, unbalanced on the steep slope, is spun around and needs to put the brakes on quicksmart as he tiptoes down the bank towards Lake Michigan! He stop running just in time. What a shot! What an effort! What moxie! Seve-esque! You have got to love Jordan Spieth.
Updated
Thomas’s tee shot at the par-three 17th takes a wicked bounce off a bank to the right of the green, scampers across the putting surface, and tumbles into an awful lie, down a steep bank on the other side. Garcia surely just needs to find the green ... and that’s what he does, although Rahm faces a long lag. Chances are, Spieth will have to chip in if the US are to extend this. Meanwhile Casey misses a chance to grab a hole back at 15, Hovland having sent his second over the flag to 12 feet, while Schauffele repeats the trick of 12, responding to McIlroy’s wedge to eight feet with a stunner to three. Poulter will have to make another birdie putt just for the half!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (16)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (15)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (14)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (12)
Thomas, having sent a lovely second into the par-five 16th, rolls in a four-footer left by Spieth for the win. The US extend the match, and European nerves will be jangling with the last par three coming up! Meanwhile Koepka misses a short one at 14 to pass up the chance of establishing a three-hole lead with four to play. Westwood knocks in a five-footer to scramble the half and Europe keep hanging on.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (16)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (14)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (14)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (12)
Updated
Poulter rolls the birdie putt into the cup at 12 for the half. Never missing! That took guts. That’s kept Europe in match four, albeit by the fingernails. Meanwhile Rahm mishits a chip into the par-five 15th, leaving the door ajar for Spieth and Thomas to keep the match alive.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (15)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (14)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (13)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (12)
McIlroy ramps up the pressure by sending his tee shot at 12 to eight feet ... but Schauffele responds in style! He nearly aces, and now the pressure is all back on Poulter, who will have to make the birdie putt to halve the hole. If it doesn’t drop, all hopes of an absurd comeback are surely extinguished.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (15)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (14)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (13)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (11)
Another astonishing escape for Europe, this time on 13, where Fitzpatrick had flown the green and ended up in the hazard. Westwood chips up to 15 feet, Fitzpatrick pours in the putt, and Berger can’t make America’s par putt from eight. Hole halved. And it’s a bogey for Cantlay and Schauffele on 11! With McIlroy having sent Europe’s second to 12 feet, all of a sudden, what looked like a US rout is not over yet.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (15)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (13)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (13)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (11)
Updated
Garcia’s tee shot at 15 ends up in a divot. Rahm does well to find the centre of the green, but the Americans are close, and Europe are not. No worries! Sergio pours in a 30-footer, and punches the air repeatedly in a style not wholly dissimilar to Seve! JT’s six foot effort lips out, and this match is transformed in an instant! The USA looked hot favourites to win that hole and reduce Europe’s lead to one hole; now Rahm and Garcia are dormie three!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (15)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (13)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (12)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (10)
... but what Samuel Ryder’s creation gives with one hand, it takes with the other. Fitzpatrick sends a flyer through 13 and down the bank at the back. That’s a hazard, and with Koepka whipping America’s second pin high, match three is getting away from Europe at warp speed.
Well, now! (pt.II in an ongoing series) Casey sends Europe’s third at 13 to 15 feet, and Hovland steers in the par putt. That turns up the pressure on Johnson’s own par putt, from six feet, and it horseshoes out! What looked for all the world like a four-hole deficit is now just two!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (14)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (13)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (12)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (10)
Well, now! McIlroy nearly drives the green at the short par-four 10th. Schauffele’s tee shot is maybe 50 yards short. Cantlay lobs up, but doesn’t give it enough, the ball toppling back off the false front and back to his feet. The door swings open for Europe, Poulter chipping to a couple of feet, McIlroy tidying up for birdie. Europe win the hole! Suddenly they’re just four down, and, well, y’know, but strange things can and do happen in the Ryder Cup.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (14)
3UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (12)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (12)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (10)
A huge sigh of relief for Europe on 14. Rahm nearly drains his long putt from the fringe, but at least he’s forced Spieth into making his ten-foot birdie for te win. Spieth shoves it wide right, and four feet past to boot. JT holds his nerve to halve the hole. Westwood has a chance for the win from the fringe at 12, but his 12-footer dies to the left on its last turn. And trouble for the visitors on 13, Casey sending a wild slice down the bank to the right, Hovland left with no option but to take his medicine and chip back out. A four-hole deficit looms.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (14)
3UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (12)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (12)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (9)
Tell you what, this lead match is crucial for Europe. A 3-1 deficit is far from insurmountable with four sessions still to play; anything worse would really mess with their heads. Especially as Rahm and Garcia were three up with six holes to play. Now it’s just two, and Sergio’s second into 14 spins hysterically back off the false front, while JT’s wedge lands 15 feet past the flag and rolls back to about ten. If Spieth can make the birdie putt, the pressure will really be on the Spanish duo.
Casey can’t make the birdie putt on 12. Morikawa has three feet left for the hole. In it goes, as some galoot screams “Freedom!” Perhaps he’s a George Michael fan. Meanwhile on 11, Koepka screeches an approach pin high, and Berger tidies up from four feet to double America’s lead. The hosts are flying right now!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (13)
3UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (12)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (11)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (9)
Dustin’s wedge at the par-three 12th is almost dead. Hovland can’t get any spin on his tee shot, the ball landing 20 feet past the hole, and all of a sudden this match is getting away from Europe. Speaking of one long gone, Cantlay is this close to draining a long putt that would put the US six up at the turn. Six up at the turn! This is embarrassingly poor stuff from McIlroy and Poulter, and they don’t cover themselves in glory by asking Schauffele to tidy up from 18 inches or so. “Grasping at straws,” notes Nick Dougherty on Sky.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (13)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (11)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (10)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (9)
Birdie for Johnson and Morikawa on 11, and the Americans take control of the second match. Meanwhile Berger flips up from Morikawa County, down the bank at 10, and replicates his brilliance. Birdie, and the US move ahead in that match. And on 13, Thomas crashes his short birdie putt into the cup with great confidence, walking after it with all-new energy. Just the two holes down now, and right now there’s some serious momentum with the hosts.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (13)
2UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (11)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (10)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (8)
Updated
Sergio tops his tee shot at 13! He allows himself a wide smile, partly out of embarrassment, partly because he’s got away with it, the ball just clearing the filth between the tee box and the fairway. Rahm knocks Europe’s second into the heart of the green, but Spieth goes close, and it’s advantage USA, who have a chance of reducing their deficit.
Neither Garcia nor Thomas can make their birdie putt on 12. Both teams will feel irritation; both will also realise they’ve dodged a bullet. Meanwhile a new form of fiasco for McIlroy and Poulter, who have two putts to win the hole at 8. McIlroy whistles the first one six feet past; Poulter clanks the one coming back wide right. McIlroy is forced to knock in a three footer to salvage a half. This pair are so rattled it’ll be a big surprise if either are sent out this afternoon.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (12)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (10)
Berger/Koepka A/S Westwood/Fitzpatrick (9)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (8)
Updated
... meanwhile it looks like advantage Europe on 10, Casey having knocked his approach to three feet, the Americans down the bank to the left, short-sided. But Morikawa cuts through the veg, whipping a Mickelsonian lob miles into the air, and landing his ball a couple of feet from the flag! Hovland cleans up, and it’s a half in birdie.
Wedges at the 142-yard par-three 12th. Rahm up first, and he clips a gorgeous shot to eight feet. The pressure’s really on Spieth, with the flag in a tight spot and the gauntlet down. He claps his to six feet! Neither Thomas nor Garcia are completely trustworthy with the flat stick, so it’s a big shoot-out coming up, possibly the difference between a European lead of four and two holes.
A very scrappy three-putt bogey for the USA on 9. Berger races a mid-length birdie effort five feet past the cup, and Koepka’s effort coming back horseshoes out.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (11)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (9)
Berger/Koepka A/S Westwood/Fitzpatrick (9)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (7)
Sky have just flashed up a stat that probably won’t surprise, given the state of the scoreboard, yet is still worth repeating nonetheless. Rahm and Garcia have made five birdies so far; the rest of the European team put together have managed just three. No sixth birdie for the Spaniards at 11, but they remain three up.
Updated
A very small shaft of light for Europe on 9, as Morikawa uncharacteristically clumps a short chip six feet past the cup. Casey nearly drains a 15-footer to secure the hole, but DJ still needs to tidy up for the half. In goes the putt, and so much for that light. The US hit the turn in the lead. And on 7, another half for Europe! McIlroy and Poulter will be getting giddy at this rate ... actually scrub that, because Poulter has a face like thunder, both teams having asked to see tiddlers, just because. In they go, and there’s a reminder that all bets are off during wartime.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (10)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (9)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (8)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (7)
Much better news for the Europeans in the lead match. JT’s approach from the centre of the fairway at 10 is beyond average, and it opens the door for Europe, who go charging through. Sergio wedges close and Rahm tidies up. Europe are in total control of this match right now; that missed opportunity for Thomas on 9 looks even more important now.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 3UP (10)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (8)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (7)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (6)
Schauffele can’t make the putt, though, and it’s the joy of six for McIlroy and Poulter, who finally halve a hole! Of course, it’s joy in its very loosest sense: one patron greets Poulter’s tap-in for the half with a loud sarcastic “WOO!” and there’s a chance that will have stung as much as losing yet another hole. Still, small acorns and all that. Woo!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (9)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (8)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (7)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (6)
Johnson and Morikawa stumble their way up 8. They’re out of position. Casey knocks Europe’s approach to eight feet. But DJ wedges from a tight spot to four feet, forcing Hovland to make the putt if he wants the hole. He can’t make it, and that’s a street-fighting scramble for the Americans, who stay one up in the match. Meanwhile back on 6, Cantlay sends his approach to 12 feet, and Poulter can’t respond. Europe are at least twice the distance away. Serious advantage for the hosts to make it a perfect six.
Patrick Cantlay has currently played five holes of Ryder Cup golf, and won them all. Debut nerves conspicuous by their absence. What a player!
Updated
What a putt by Xander Schauffele on 5! Poulter has set up McIlroy with an eight-footer for birdie. Cantlay’s approach is misjudged, his ball spinning back, 30 feet short. Can Europe snatch a hole back? Nope! To the contrary, in fact. Schauffele pours in the big left-to-right swinger, and the weight of the world is suddenly dumped on McIlroy’s shoulders! He tugs a dreadful effort wide left, the ball missing from the nanosecond it leaves the face of the putter! He snatches up his ball in disgust, as well he might. That is a hammer blow, and this is a rout. Slightly better news for Europe in the leading match, where Spieth nearly holes out from 150 yards on 9, only for Thomas to miss the six-footer that would win the hole.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (9)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (7)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (7)
5UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (5)
All of a sudden, Fitzpatrick has renewed spring in his step! He rolls in a ten-footer for birdie on 6, and Europe halve the deficit in the third match. All smiles again! However it’s renewed misery for the visitors at 7, where Casey misses the green with his tee shot. Hovland, stuck up a bank, can’t get close, and the US take the hole in par.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (8)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (7)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (6)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (4)
A few European shoulders are slumping already. McIlroy and Poulter both wear the stunned expression of men who have just been slapped around the jowls with fish, while Fitzpatrick is trudging around in the morose style. Perhaps they can take heart from the Spanish duo of Rahm and Garcia, the former steering in a right-to-left 12-footer on 8 for another birdie. Europe two up!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 2UP (8)
Johnson/Morikawa A/S Casey/Hovland (6)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (5)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (4)
Oh Rory. Oh Ian.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 1UP (7)
Johnson/Morikawa A/S Casey/Hovland (6)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (5)
4UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (4)
Updated
McIlroy and Poulter are having a shocker. The former sends a wild tee shot down a bank to the left of 2; the latter can only wheech the next shot across the fairway and into more bother. They’ll be going four down in short order unless something sensational happens. Meanwhile birdies for the USA at 6 and 5, Johnson and Koepka pouring in the putts, and the hosts have the wind behind right now.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 1UP (7)
Johnson/Morikawa A/S Casey/Hovland (6)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (5)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (3)
Updated
Rahm rolls his birdie putt into the centre of the cup. It’s enough to spook Spieth, who shoves an uncertain effort to the right. Joy for Sergio, curse words from Jordan. That’s matchplay golf right there; when Thomas stuck his tee shot close, he must have thought his team were in with a shout of taking the lead. But what a response by Garcia and then Rahm, and instead the US fall behind. The small margins, eh.
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 1UP (7)
Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland 1UP (5)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (4)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (3)
There may be some classic Ryder Cup emotion brewing in the leading match. Back on 5, Europe asked to see America’s two putts from 15 feet. Spieth holed the first putt and then on 6, asked Sergio to make the sort of tiddler you normally see conceded. Now on the par-three 7th, Thomas clips to six feet ... only for Garcia to do exactly the same! No quarter asked or given. Meanwhile Cantlay sends his tee shot at 3 to eight feet, and it’s another hole to the USA in the final match. A dismal start by McIlroy and Poulter.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (6)
Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland 1UP (5)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (4)
3UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (3)
On 4, Matt Fitzpatrick’s caddy Billy Foster gives a noisy cameraman a piece of his mind, effectively threatening to shove his tripod where the film won’t develop. His mood quickly improves when Berger sends his second down the grassy bank to the left. Koepka skulls the next one through the green, and Europe’s deficit is halved.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (6)
Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland 1UP (4)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (4)
2UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (2)
Poulter gives McIlroy half a chance of scrambling par, pitching to 12 feet. McIlroy can’t make the putt. Throw in his extremely average approach at 1, and this is a shaky start by Europe’s star turn.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (5)
Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland 1UP (4)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (3)
2UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (2)
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Updated
Rory thins one out of a greenside bunker at 2, leaving Poulter in thick rough over the other side of the green. Unless the Postman delivers a surprise package here, Europe are going to fall two down in a second match. It’s been a strange mix of some high-class and very jittery golf so far. The unique pressures of the Ryder Cup, right here.
Koepka rolls in a 20-footer on the par-three 3rd for birdie. That’s turned up the pressure on Fitzpatrick, eight feet away after Westwood’s fine tee shot. He pulls his effort wide left, a putt that never looked like dropping. Some daylight for the hosts in the third match, then, and they level up in the leading match, birdie trumping Europe’s inevitable bogey ... though Casey and Hovland add a little blue to the board, par enough for Europe on 4.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (5)
Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland 1UP (4)
2UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (3)
1UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (1)
... and how quickly the momentum shifts again, with Rahm sending Europe’s second into the water at par-five 5. Spieth and Thomas are on in regulation, so Garcia has it all to do.
A couple of long putts from the fringe at 4. Spieth nearly drains his ... then Rahm rattles the flagstick with a tramliner! The ball drops and he fist-pumps the air. That’s classic matchplay nonsense, and the momentum has totally shifted in the opening match ... but it’s better news for the hosts at both 2 and back on 1, with birdies for the win. A first splash of blue has been negated by two quickfire splashes of red!
Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia 1UP (4)
Johnson/Morikawa A/S Casey/Hovland (3)
1UP Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick (2)
1UP Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter (1)
Hovland wins the putting shoot-out on the par-three 3rd. He holes out after Johnson’s putt shaves the left lip. All the matches are tied again.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (3)
Johnson/Morikawa A/S Casey/Hovland (3)
Berger/Koepka A/S Westwood/Fitzpatrick (1)
Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter
The final morning foursomes hits the course. Ian Poulter, who has won 14 of his 22 matches in Ryder Cup competition, allows himself a thin-lipped smile as the crowd give him the what-for. He belts it straight down the track, as you always knew he would. Patrick Cantlay, making his Ryder Cup debut, finds the first cut on the left but the ball is sitting up and won’t be a problem for his partner Xander Schauffele.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (3)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (2)
Berger/Koepka A/S Westwood/Fitzpatrick (1)
Cantlay/Schauffele v McIlroy/Poulter
One hell of a back and forth at 2. Casey opts to lay up from the gallery. Hovland then nearly slam-dunks for an eagle from 80 yards! Not quite, but it means Johnson has to chip close from the rough to the left of the green. No problem! He nearly knocks it in, and the hole is halved. Then it continues on 3, where Morikawa and Casey take turns to send their tee shots to six feet. Meanwhile Westwood misses a four-footer on 1 for the win. Nervy and not all that good. It hasn’t taken long for this to heat up, has it?
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (3)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (2)
Berger/Koepka A/S Westwood/Fitzpatrick (1)
Incidentally, if all this hot golf action isn’t satisfying enough, there are some Ryder Cup posers in our quiz of the week. Clickity click!
Europe land their first blow of the 43rd Ryder Cup Matches! Thomas and Garcia knock their tee shots at the par-three 3rd to 15 and 12 feet respectively. Spieth’s birdie effort dies to the right on its final turn, but Rahm makes no mistake and the opening match is back to all square! This match, it’s not going too far out on a limb to suggest, could develop into quite the battle.
Thomas/Spieth A/S Rahm/Garcia (3)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (1)
Berger/Koepka v Westwood/Fitzpatrick
Updated
Nerves betray the debutant Viktor Hovland on the par-five 2nd, as he hooks his drive way left. So much so that his ball sails over the thickest stuff and lands on the grass trodden down by the gallery. Europe may catch a break, who knows. Back on 1, Lee Westwood cracks the opening drive of match three down the middle, refusing to follow the advice of the yahoo who cried “Get in the bunker!” His partner Matthew Fitzpatrick will be pleased to see that. Daniel Berger’s tee shot finds the first cut down the left, but it’s sitting up and won’t be a problem for Brooks Koepka.
Thomas rolls in the putt! And there’s more good news for the States back at 1, where DJ clips a stunning wedge from the thick rough to five feet; Morikawa rolls in the putt and it’s a fast start for the hosts!
1UP Thomas/Spieth v Rahm/Garcia (2)
1UP Johnson/Morikawa v Casey/Hovland (1)
It’s the latter. Rahm has to stand in the bunker, the ball above him in the rough. He punches towards the green, but not with enough force. Europe are short in three, the USA in two. Sergio lags up to kick-in distance, and the par is conceded. That leaves Thomas with another six-footer for the win, Spieth’s chip up having been average by his own standards.
Thomas can’t quite reach the 2nd green in two, but it’s only just short. Europe meanwhile are in a pickle again, Sergio having opted to go for the green from the rough anyway, and pulled his 3-wood into a bunker down the left. Or has that snagged in the rough just to the side? Rahm will be hoping for the former, because he won’t have much of a stance with the latter.
Updated
On to the par-five 2nd, and Europe again make a mistake off the tee. Rahm’s drive nestles into the semi-rough down the right, and it won’t be possible for Garcia to make the green in two. No such error from Spieth, who batters down the middle. Back on the first tee, it’s Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland’s turn to smile nervously as the crowd give them pelters. They throw an arm over each other’s shoulder for support. Then a lovely moment as Casey takes a couple of practice swings. The crowd soundtrack them with a few loud woahs ... so he teases them by stalling theatrically on the downstroke. Much laughter. He then creams one down the middle ... while opponent Collin Morikawa leaves his partner Dustin Johnson in a tight spot, in tangled rough down the left.
Sergio rescues the situation! He very nearly trundles in his chip, leaving Rahm with a three-footer that he’ll convert. The delicate brilliance of Garcia’s wedge rattles JT’s nerves, and the 2017 PGA champion shoves a nervous six-footer wide right. Big chance to go one up early doors spurned by the hosts.
Spieth/Thomas A/S Rahm/Garcia (1)
Spieth sends a simple wedge into the green. Pin high, six feet from the flag. A great chance for an opening birdie. Sergio has however left Rahm up against the lip of the bunker, and he can only smash out to the back fringe. A huge chance for the USA to land the first blow.
A reminder of the format
For the benefit of folk who fancy getting up on the downswing this weekend but don’t always follow the greatest sport in the world, we usually cut and paste the following explainer. Hey, if it’s worth reading once, it’s worth reading a dozen times. Here we go ...
The Ryder Cup is a matchplay event. Each match is worth a point. There are 28 points available over the three days, so the first team to get to 14.5 points will win the Cup. Should the scores be tied at 14 points apiece, Europe will retain the trophy as current holders.
Match-play explained for those dipping their toe into the murky world of golf for the first time: In common-or-garden championship golf, such as the Masters or the Open, tournaments are scored using the stroke-play system. Whoever takes the fewest shots over all four rounds in a championship wins. All shots count and are added up for a cumulative total. So if, say, in next year’s Masters, Collin Morikawa shoots 63-63-63-63 and Rory McIlroy shoots 87-87-87-87, Morikawa will have taken 252 strokes, and beaten poor old Rors by 96 shots. (Good luck if you bet large on this exact outcome.)
Anyway, in match play, each player or team wins a hole for every hole they better their opponents. So if Collin takes five shots at the 1st, but Rory needs only three, Rory goes 1up. If Rory wins the next hole too, he’s 2up. If the pair share the same number of shots on the 3rd, the hole is halved, and Rory remains 2up. It doesn’t matter if Collin took 13 shots on his way to losing the 2nd, by the way; a bit like the unwritten rule of visits to wallet-sewer-interface-venue Las Vegas, what happens on each hole stays on each hole. There is no knock-on effect.
So let’s say McIlroy wins the first nine holes of our make-believe match. With nine played, and nine remaining, he is 9up. Morikawa can only tie at best; McIlroy can’t lose. This is known as dormie. (And more specifically, in this slightly ludicrous example, as dormie nine.) If Collin wins the next nine, the game will end all square, and each team will get half a point to their overall total. But if Rory wins the 10th, he’s 10up with eight holes to play. He has won 10&8. If the 10th hole is halved, Rory would be 9up with eight to play. He’s won 9&8. Similarly Collin can be said to have lost 9&8. Europe would add a point to their overall total. I’ve probably made this sound way more complicated than it needs to be, but there it is anyway.
There will be three types of match: foursomes (teams of two players use one ball, taking alternate shots); fourballs (teams of two players play a ball each and take the best score, known as the better ball); and singles (this is when it gets quite wild and everyone across two continents starts with the shallow breathing and chest clutching). And these matches are arranged in a schedule like this:
Today: four matches of morning foursomes; four matches of afternoon fourballs.
Tomorrow: four matches of morning foursomes; four matches of afternoon fourballs.
Sunday: 12 singles matches.
... and it’s not an ideal start for Sergio, who whips his opening drive into one of the many millions of bunkers at Whistling Straits. Justin Thomas smokes his down the middle. The quickly rising sun shimmers across the fairway as the players make their way down the opening par four. This is on!
Updated
The players are announced, and are met with the according boos and cheers. First up, representing Europe, Sergio Garcia! “Boo, boo, we’re gonna win, etc.” Tell you what, Ian Poulter is going to love this.
It’s time. pic.twitter.com/caI3RR460j
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) September 24, 2021
“USA! USA! USA!” A wry smile plays across the face of Jon Rahm as he makes his way to the first tee. Then some raucous booing as he arrives with Sergio Garcia. Well, it’s a welcome. Both flash excited smiles. Sergio is literally bouncing. The entire place is bouncing. Then wild cheers as old pals Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas enter. Fists are bumped, then the volume drops in anticipation of the opening tee shots. Gulp.
Updated
Here we go, then ... and this is becoming very real now. Plenty of bedlam at the first tee, as the denizens of the bleachers give European captain Padraig Harrington the pantomime bird. Boooooooo! The home crowd aren’t holding back there, and nor should they. One hell of an atmosphere!
The teams
United States of America (hosts and favourites): Daniel Berger, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas.
Captain: Steve Stricker
Europe (defending champions): Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger.
Captain: Padraig Harrington
Preamble
Welcome to our coverage of the 43rd Ryder Cup Matches between the United States of America and Europe at Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin. Let’s not faff around, for the opening matches are going out soon. Here are the pairings (all times BST) …
1.05pm: Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas v Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia
1.21pm: Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa v Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland
1.37pm: Daniel Berger and Brooks Koepka v Matthew Fitzpatrick and Lee Westwood
1.53pm: Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele v Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter
… here’s a reminder of what happened last time …
… and a reminder of the Solheim Cup three weeks ago, just because …
… and with that, while we’ve still got the chance, breathe. The greatest golfers from both sides of the briny are about to do battle and put on one heck of a show. This is happening! It’s on!
