Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlory and Tyrrell Hatton secure full points for Europe as they need just half a point for Ryder Cup glory – but USA are fighting back strongly elsewhere

Overall Score

EUROPE 14 – 9 USA

Europe need HALF-A POINT to win the Ryder Cup.

Matches finished

4 & 3 Viktor Hovland vs Collin Morikawa

Jon Rahm vs Scottie Scheffler – TIED

Justin Rose vs Patrick Cantlay 2 & 1

3 & 1 up Rory McIlroy vs Sam Burns

3 & 2 Tyrrell Hatton vs Brian Harman

Matt Fitzpatrick vs Max Homa 1 up

Ludvig Åberg vs Brooks Koepka 3 & 2

Matches in play

Sepp Straka vs Justin Thomas – 2 up

Nicolai Hojgaard vs Xander Schauffele – 2 up

Shane Lowry vs Jordan Spieth 1 up

1 up Tommy Fleetwood vs Rickie Fowler

2 up Robert MacIntyre vs Wyndham Clark

Brooks Koepka comes back from his tough loss in yesterday’s fourballs to defeat Ludvig Aberg 3 & 2.

It’s another point on the board for the Americans and a dominant display from the five-time major winner.

But how good’s Aberg been this week – he only won his PGA Tour Card during the middle of the season and has been picking up points at the Ryder Cup this week unphased by the occasion.

A stunning performance all around from the 23-year-old.

Right this looks like the next group to be coming in. But can Straka wrestle the game off Thomas with three to play?

Thomas has been taunting the European fans earlier today doffing an imaginary cap to the crowd following the controversies of last night.

With the American winning and celebrating to the fans by pretending to lift a cap off his head, Faldo said: ‘Just watch out for the sun burn!’

Check it out below…

Gosh I couldn’t watch! The drama is unbelievable.

But it’s Homa who hangs on – Just! It’s a pressure putt and under the circumstances he does brilliantly.

He holes out for a par on the last to win the match 1 up. It was a really gutsy move to take a penalty drop on the far right, but it pays off!

Europe still need half a point to win – but Shane Lowyr has just got back to all-sqaure.

Heartache for Fitzpatrick, it goes narrowly close but it’s not enough to win the hole and claim a half.

But it’s not done yet!

It’s a close putt but Homa has to tap in for par from about seven feet.

If he misses and Fitzpatrick taps in then Europe win.

Silence on the 18th green.

Fitzpatrick stands over the putt to win the Ryder Cup…

He’s got a horrible lie here on the bank of where the patrons are all stood.

The ball looks like its submerged in some thick, thick rough and he’s got the rules official in here to talk him through whether he can take an unplayable.

Looks like he’s taking relief and this will be his fourth shot.

He pitches over a bunker and flies the ball towards the hole.

And credit where credit’s due he’s got a chance to putt out for five to stop Fitzpatrick from winning the Ryder Cup.

Huge putt from Hojgaard!

Schauffele has held the lead for some time but he’ll cut his deficit back to 1 up.

Meanwhile Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry head up the back order both with two holes in hand.

But Brooks Koepka looks like he’s about to win his match against Aberg.

Back to the 18th we go…

Fitzpatrick gets an advantage with Homa putting his shot into the spectators on the right.

But he can’t put his ball on the green from the fairway!

The pressure is starting to show.

How good has Hatton been this weekend!

Another excellent performance from the Englishman sees him claim a 3 & 2 victory against Brian Harman.

Europe need half a point to win the Ryder Cup!

He is certainly one of Europe’s leaders today – a future Ryder Cup captain maybe?

We’ll come back to his interview in a second, because Max Homa and Matt Fitzpatrick are on the fairway at 18…

Matt Fitzpatrick needs homa to miss this putt on 17.

He’s putting to win from around 20 feet.

And he can’t make it!

They’ll halve the hole with it all coming down to the 18th.

The Englishman will hope he can get a half point on the 18th.

McIlroy lets out an outpouring of emotion.

He gets another point on the board for Team Europe in sensational fashion defeating Sam Burns 4 & 3.

He walks over to the Sky cameras and let’s out a huge roar, having won all four of his matches this week.

It’s especially pertinant considering the altercation he was involved in last night with caddie Joe LeCava and McIlroy said the team used that spat to fire him up.

McIlroy said in an emotional interview after the match: ‘Yeah I needed that to fuel me today and not let it take away from a great week. I used it to my advantage and came out here with a different level of focus and a different level of determination. I think it gave the whole team – it lit a fire under our bellies a little bit.

‘I just wanted to come out and win another point for Europe. I’m…’ The Northern Irishman had to pause for a moment to collect himself as he welled up.

Reflecting on his performance at the 2021 Ryder Cup, he said: ‘Ever since Whistling Straits i was so disappointed in my performance there and to come here and gets four points for the team, it means a lot for me to get it done.

‘It’s a great bounce back after what we did at Whistling Straits. It’s a young team and I think it’s a team that’ll be around for a long time and the support we’ve had has been unbelievable. It’s been a great week for me personally but I need to go and follow the boys in here and get them in the house here.

‘I’m confident we played the back nine pretty well this week. I’ve full confidence in the boys to get the job done here.’

Rose has played so well. He nearly holed a birdie putt in to continue the match. Winding a putt around the green on the 17th but the ball agonisingly stopped just before the hole.

Cantlay makes no mistake in holing out. He’s been excelleent today with his flat stick and he claims the first point of the day for the USA.

Rose though can hold his head high after that match, winning three of the last six holes against Cantlay to eat away at a three-hole deficit and put himself in contention to win.

He’s doffing his cap again and Sir Nick Faldo speaking on Sky Sports has had a jibe at Thomas.

With the American winning and celebrating to the fans by pretending to lift a cap off his head, Faldo said: ‘Just watch out for the sun burn!’

Incase you missed it, European fans have been doffing their caps and waving them in the air at Patrick Cantlay after a report claimed he wasn’t wearing his hat in protest of players not getting paid at the Ryder Cup.

More below…

Jon Rahm clinched a half point in a titanic battle against Scottie Scheffler on Sunday afternoon singles.

It was a battle between the two most recent Masters champions and boy was it a huge clash.

Rahm claimed the half point by winning the final hole of the match, repeating his epic display during the Friday foourballs to putt out on the 18th to snatch victory off the American.

He said: ‘Yeah, not much to say. Played really good golf. Made two mistakes on 3 and 11. Besides that, I thought it was a really good round of golf. It’s just too bad the putts didn’t drop. I made one on 1 but burned a lot of edges; a lot of putts that looked good but never went in. That’s the equaliser.

‘Scottie played pretty similar tee-to-green. He did miss a couple short ones, but made a couple long ones, too that were key. The one on 15 was a big win. A couple good up-and-downs.

‘To be honest, I told Adam [his caddie] on 15, if we finish last four holes, two threes, two fours, has a good chance. But we’ve had a couple of really good matches. He’s a heck of a competitor. You know, my hat’s off to him and I’m glad I could get a halve.’

Rahm was asked whether he was aware of the significance of his half point against Scheffler.

‘Extremely. Extremely,’ he said. ‘I told myself I wasn’t going to look. It’s hard not to see the scoreboards, right. I’m sitting looking at my putt and the scoreboards are right in my way.

‘So it’s hard not to catch yourself lingering. But I think I did a really good job at the end. Seeing those scores, refocused at the task at hand. Played good at end. Too bad it wasn’t good enough to win but I’ll take a halve.’

Viktor Hovland clinched the first point for Europe from the Sunday singles, defeating Collin Morikawa 4 & 3.

It was an excellent performance from the FedEx Cup winner who has been sensational throughout the weekend.

The Norwegian said after claiming victory on Sunday: ‘That was awesome. Obviously it was looking really good for us early on, and now there’s a little too much red going on there. But it was nice to put up the first point for Europe, and hopefully we can get some more coming.

European players have noticeably been slightly more muted in their celebrations today and Hovland was asked whether that was an instruction from captain Luke Donald.

‘No, not really,’ he answered. ‘I think we are all just trying to take care of our business. You know, every single match feels like a sprint but it’s still 18 holes.

‘Just because you make one putt, you don’t want to feel like you’ve won the match because you’ve made a putt. Maybe that’s what guys are doing. They are keeping their heads down and just letting the clubs do the talking. Yeah.’

Justin Rose putts in for a birdie on the 16th.

I can’t believe it! That was sensational. He’s got ice running through his veins and the crowd goes absolutely mental.

It’s a birdie from around 25-feet out and he’s put the pressure on Cantlay here – who must hole out from five-feet to halve and keep his lead.

And he does it!

They go to 17 with Cantlay in the lead.

Rose is fighting back though!

Rose finds himself in a deep bunker on 16.

He’s got quite a way to the hole here as well but its a great scramble to get out and on the green from the US Open champion.

He’ll have a long putt in but can keep the pressure on Patrick Cantlay here with three holes left after this one.

Cantlay too has a tough putt, but can win it here with an eagle.

Here is Rose’s outstanding putt on 15…

It’s all going of fhere! Europe the roars around the course are starting to kick the Europeans into gear!

Tommy Fleetwood has just chipped in (AGAIN) on the ninth hole!

Remarkable stuff.

Meanwhile Tyrrell Hatton has gone 3 up against Brian Harman and Fitzpatrcik is on the march too!

The momentum is in his court at the miinute! He’s remarkably won three of the last four holes, claiming a huge win on the par 4 15th hole!

He’s now one back and lets out a huge roar to the Crowd behind the green as he sinks another beauty.

Scheffler can’t get the ball in the hole and they’ll both pick up for par on the 18th meaning that’s another half point for Europe.

The American’s chip on just drifts right of the hole and its joy for Rahm.

A sensational putt from the Spaniard seees him tie the match.

EUROPE 12 – USA 6

It s a long one across two ridges from 50 feet out.

Honestly he couldn’t hit that any better. that might be one of the shots of the day and he can’t believe it either.

He puts his ball within a foot of the hole – agonisingly close.

But he’s still in this for a half – Scottie needs to do something remarkable here and chip in…

Unbelievable! Scheffler has been incredible today, but his chip comes out far too hot!

It skids across the green and looks like its going into the water on the far hand side but the rough on the bank stops it!

Scheffler is chipping on for his third shot on the par five 18.

Rahm can’t win the match but he can get half a point.

Scottie has to land this as close as he can but he’s from the rough here about 30 yards out!

He’s got about 50 feet to the cup, is battling with a left to right slope and he somehow manages to send his ball straight at the pin!

But it doesn’t drop! It hits the flagstick and darts to the right! How unlucky!

He’s still got a three-hole lead on Burns through 14

The pressure is starting to mount on the Europeans with America currently up in five matches.

Shane Lowry’s just pulled another hole back against Spieth on hole 8 and he’s on a charge here.

Matt Fitzpatrick is struggling a bit though here. He’s just missed a putt to get one off Homa on the par 3 13th – he’d have nailed that putt on Friday.

But he’s lucky. Homa can’t hole out for birdie either! Putts are slipping away here.

They’ll halve for a par each to keep the scores at 1up to Homa.

And Tyrrell Hatton’s just missed on to go three up!

What a performance! Domance from Hovland. He defeats Collin Morikawa 4 & 3 to put another point on the board for Team Europe.

They’re 11.5 – 5.5. And Hovland has been the star of the show.

It’s a rematch of their singles game at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits where the two were tied on the Sunday.

But the world No 4 has been a standout this week and gives his side the advantage with 11 matches still in play.

He’s now one-down against Homa!

Meanwhile Robert MacIntyre has put an approach to within five feet from 101 yards out – an excellent shot from the Scotsman!

America are battling hard today. They’re down by five points on the Europeans and need 8.5 points to retain the Ryder Cup.

If they do it, would this be one of the biggest comebacks in Ryder Cup history?

Well not if Justin Rose has anything to say about it – he’s just pulled off another stunning putt to pull his match against Cantlay back to a one-hole deficit!

Any way the biggest ever final day comeback at the Ryder Cup came in 1999 where the US Team famously oveercame a four-point deficit at the Country Club to shock the Europeans winning 14.5-13.5.

Europe returned the favour at Medinah in 2012 – coming into the Sunday with a 10-6 deficit before going on to defeat the USA 14.5-13.5.

A lot more red creepiing onto the leaderboard right now.

Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm are both on the 16th and both can’t find the green – they’re both in the rough on the fringes.

America are up in three of the opening six matches as we speak.

Afte a fast start they’ve really clawed their way into this. Work still to be done from the Europeans to clinch it.

A lot of red slowly staring to creep onto the leaderboard.

Hovland’s chip on for par can’t quite save the hole with Morikawa following suit of Scheffler and draining a 20 foot putt for birdie.

It’s back to 3 up.

Scheffler has just drained a phenomenal birdie putt on 15 to go 1 up on Jon Rahm.

Meanwhile, Patrick Cantlay misses to halve the 12th and it goes to Justin Rose!

Some shot that was from Viktor Hovland!

He’s about 150 yards out from the pin and dials the ball straight to the flag.

It’s a shame it doesn’t go in with the ball dropping only a couple of feeet ahead of the cup!

He’ll putt for the win here.

Wow that was clutch. He’s off the green and he has to get the ball in the hole to halve against Hatton.

It comes out hot off the green and rolls straight towards the flag.

But with the help of the flag stick it remarkably goes in!

Huge! Fowler misses a putt from around 10 feet to concede the hole!

Fleetwood goes 1 up!

Hatton meanwhile continues to dazzle – he’s jsut chipped on to within close range on the tenth after conceding the ninth to Harman!

What a performance against Sam Burns. He is running the show here and has four points in the bag through 10 holes.

Meanwhilel, Shane Lowry gets one back against Spieth and there’s some big energy from him on the sixth hole…

A great approach! He’s three down against Kopeka and just put a fantastic appraoch into the green on the ninth to give himself a chance to pull one back.

Meanwhile, Shane Lowry gets one back with a huge birdie on six! He lets his emotions come out after fist bumping the air and the crowd respond in full voice.

Clark misses a putt to halve the hole! And MacIntyre goes two up!

A great shot in from Scheffler sees him bring it back to all-square in his match vs Rahm.

Meanwhile, Morikawa is on the ropes against Hovland and the Norwegian looks like he’ll put another one on the board here!

Cantlay and Rose are on 11 here and the American is really showing how good his putting is.

He holes out for a birdie to put Rose three down!

The American is currently ranked 43rd on the PGA Tour for shots gained with his putter but I’m starting to question that stat, considering how good he’s been with the flat stick today.

The FedEx Cup champion makes no mistake with the short putt.

That’s 10 birdies in 12 holes!

I think Viktor Hovland has to be the most in form golfer in the world at the minute and is surely on track for his first major win next season.

He’s got three wins on the PGA Tour this season, clinching the Memorial Tournament back in April, before claiming $18million in the space of seven days – clinching the BMW PGA, before winning the Tour Championship at Eastlake.

He also narrowly came close to winning the PGA Championship in March, coming second to Brooks Koepka and finished T3 at the Players!

Some year he’s having and some Ryder Cup too – Perhaps Europe’s player of the tournament so far?

He’s got two putts to beat Morikawa on 12 and he puts his first to within a couple of feet of the hole.

The battle of the Open champions! Spieth who won at Birkdale in 2017 has got off to a fast start – he’s now three-up against Lowry who won at Royal Portrush in 2019.

Lowry was embroiled in yesterday’s spat on the 18th green, and notably calmed tensions when Joe LeCava approached the European team.

His tee shot on 13 is just too good and he takes the hole to go back to 1 up.

Meanwhile, Homa takes the lead against Fitzpatrick and Koepka goes 3 up on Aberg.

It’s a good birdie on the par 3 fourth from the 2015 Players Champion.

They’re back to all-square in that match.

Meanwhile, Scheffler misses a birdie chance on 13!

He sinks a par putt to put the pressure back on Cantlay and turns to the fans behind him putting his finger to his lips to shush them!

What a shot from Rose!

Cantlay, meanwhile, holes out to level him!

Game on here still!

Things looked like they were edging away from him but he sends a beautiful tee shot down to the pin on the par 3 13th.

But Scheffler is unrelenting. He goes even closer to put the pressure back on the Spaniard.

This is a real clash of the titans!

Robert MacIntyre claims the second hole with a save from the sand to make a par as Clark cant hole out to match him.

Rahm levels the scores in his match against Sceffler.

While Jordan Spieth has a 2-hole lead on Shane Lowry. Can the Irishman pull it back?

The man is on fire and he’s just gone 3 up against Morikawa.

His stroke play score currently sits at -6 through 11 after hitting an uncharacteristic bogey on the eighth.

What a performance.

A bad tee shot from Rose sees him send his ball to where Rahm was earlier on the 10th.

Tricky shot out there as he looks to be safe from the water but stuck next to a tree.

The cameras have caught up with him and its actually not a bad lie compared to Rahm’s earlier.

But he can’t find the green. He lays up on the fairway abotu 50 yards off the pin.

He’s back to two-down at the turn of the back nine with a fantastic piece of play to shoot an eagle on the 480-yard ninth.

It’s a tough one for McIlroy who hit a birdie – but he still has the advantage…

He’s won the second hole with a birdie against Rickie Fowler.

Fowler’s endured a few tough seasons on the PGA Tour and fought his way back into Ryder Cup contention with his first win since the WM Phoenix Open in 2019 and a top ten placing at the US Open.

He was named as a captain’s pick by Johnson for the Ryder Cup.

But he’s got off to a tricky start this morning – with Fleetwood going ahead…

Koepka’s on the march today after his disappoinging loss in the fourballs yesterday.

He’s got off to a fast start against Aberg, securing the sixth hole!

With Scheffler on the green and Rahm down the bank he can’t get onto the dance floor!

He fluffs his chip! It goes up the bank and then comes back down to his feet at 11.

A tough break for the Masters Champion who will go a hole down.

Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick looks like he’ll concede a hole here after a poor shot into the rough on the ninth.

We’ve just noticed that several members of the American team are not wearing caps today.

Justin Thomas just doffed an imaginary cap after nailing a birdie putt against Straka on the fourth.

Morikawa, who has a putt to halve the hole against Hovland on 10 is also not wearing a cap.

Interesting…

The Dane is now two holes up against the European champion – a great start for the rookie.

From 30 yards he winds a huge putt in against Justin Thomas on the fourth hole.

It’s a tough one though as Thomas also birdies to halve the hole and keep the lead to 1 up. His put was equally as impressive. He doffs his imaginary cap – he too is not wearing one today…

Sensational stuff though from the European rookie.

How has he done this? This is an almost impossible and he plonks his ball straight on the green.

It’s a shame he can’t quite hole out for a birdie but wow this is sensational stuff.

I suppose there’s a reason why he’s the Masters champion…

He’s just nailed a birdie putt on the six but he’s held to a tie with Harman – who drains his putt from around 10-feet.

How good has Tyrrell Hatton been today?

He’s on for a birdie from that sensational shot out of the ditch but he can’t quite make the putt for birdie!

He’ll tap in for a par though to keep the match level!

Tough one for Justin Rose, Cantlay is Mr consistent with the putter and he falls down by two at the seventh.

Speaking of Cantlay, Mail Sport understands the PGA of America has requested extra security out with him on the course today.

More on that below…

He has an impossible shot from the ditch by the stream on 11.

The Spaniard has a bridge in front of him, the ball is above his feet and its a torrid lie!

But he winds up a baseball swing and unleashes some incredible power through the ball to send it into the heart of the green.

I take back what I said earlier that might be shot of the day!

In true Seve style he’s pulled off a wonderful save there! He’ll be bounding after that!

Sounds ike he might be okay from his tee shot off the 10th.

But Scheffler is coming back – he hits onto the green here and will likely take the advantage

A stunning tee shot on the par three seventh! He lands it within two yards of the hole and taps in against Burns who puts his tee shot off the greeen!

Meanwhile, Shane Lowry is up and running and has just left a big divot on the green with his approach from the fairway – he’ll have a chance for a birdie here

Rose hits a solid par on the sixth asking questions of Cantlay who has a lot of work to do to level the Englishman – and he nails it,

Cantlay stays 1 up. But Rose is fighting.

Meanwhile, a good chip on from Rahm sees him within a chance of a big up and down here.

He hit a nasty shot out of the rough and into the left side of the green. Chipping on from about 10 yards he puts it to within a foot of the hole.

But Scheffler has a birdie putt here and he taps in to reduce it to 1 up.

Hojgaard gets off to a brilliant start and adds to the blue on the scoreboard.

He putts out on the first to pull one ahead of the Olympic Champion Xander Schauffele.

He taps in a fantastic eagle to pull ahead of Homa again after the American got one back!

Meanwhile, Hovland failes to halve the hole on eight after a great approach, but he scores a bogey – to see Morikawa reduce the deficit there to just two!

Reprorts from NBC suggest that Patrick Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LeCava reached out to Rory McIlroy last night to clear the air with the four-time major winner.

It came after he sparked controversy for his celebrations last night while McIlroy was still putting on the 18th green.

Mail Sport’s Charlotte Daily has the latest below…

The Englishman is now 3 up through four holes!

What a start! Harman can’t tap in his par putt – that’s a huge mistake from the Open Champion who’s putting has been decent this weekend so far.

Are the slower greens playing into Europe’s favour this morning?

Harman’s under pressure for a half now on the fourth.

Hatton’s just put a stunning putt within a couple of feet of the pin.

The American will need to putt out for a par!

Meanwhile, Hovland chips onto the green at hole 8 he’s got a great putt on to take an advantage against Morikawa. Can he make it 4 up?

Hovland’s taken a big three-hole lead against Morikawa through seven.

McIlroy is battling against Burns and has two holes on the American.

Fitzpatrick has extended his lead to two aswell.

But Brooks Koepka has taken the lead on Aberg on the first!

He’s got a birdie putt on hole five to win one back against Cantlay.

He’s about 15 feet out…

But it just can’t quite drop in! It’s a great effort and Rose knows he’s missed a chance there – but he’s playing briliantly against Cantlay!

He was a hero for Europe on Friday, putting out on the 18th to give Europe half a point with a sensational putt.

He hailed his team-mates after what was a huge start at Marco Simone…

He chalks a hole off the leaderboard with a great birdie putt on the fourth to bring the deficit from Fitzpatrick back to just one hole.

He putts to within inches of the hole on seventh and just can’t quite win the hole with the ball hanging out right by a fraction.

Fine margins.

Scheffler will hold him to par for a half.

It’s a good start from Koepka and I reckon he’s going to be a tough player to crack out there.

He’s just put his approach to within a few yards of the hole.

But Ludvig Aberg isn’t going to be an easy man to beat either.

Aberg’s sensational rise to the top of golf this season has been a joy to behold after having only earned his PGA Tour Card mid-way through the season – after graduating from the PGA Tour University.

He won at the Omega European Masters earlier this summer and has been one of the best ball strikers this week.

Justin Rose putts out for par on the fourth.

His putting has been incredible and he stops Cantlay from pulling further ahead with Cantlay unable to tap in for birdie.

He’s been a stand up this weekend after missing Whistling Straits in 2021. His record before the tournament sits at 2-2-1 in the singles. Can he improve that today?

Some more on hat-gate now and Mail Sport’s Riath Al-Samarrai understands that US PGA have requested extra security for Patrick Cantlay today following the controversy that surrounded the green on 18th last night.

The action is coming thick and fast now – Rory goes 2 up.

He birdies the third hole with a fantastic down hill putt!

Europe are up in five of the six matches out there right now!

Scheffler brings Rahm back to just 1 up with a great putt on hole 6.

But Tyrrel Hatton has just claimed the first hole in his match against Brian Harman.

Some start for the Europeans!

This week, the Marco Simone course will play as a par 71 stretching, to an impressive 7181 yards, a pretty long distance, but one that the players will be used to.

For context, the Torrey Pines south course, the site of the 2021 US Open stretched to a whopping 7765 yards, one of the longest tracks on the PGA Tour, while Augusta National spans to around 7510 yards.

And it will be hard to score this weekend. The course is set up with three par 5s and four par 3s, with the players being welcomed onto the front nine by a trio of par 4s.

Combining the distance, the heat and the undulating terrain and this course is set to be a real caddie killer – there are plenty of hills and blind shots out there, so staying hydrated during the long days will be key.

The course starts with a 445 yard par 4, with the green being well-protected on the the first hole which dog legs slightly left. A good start will be needed, with players to face an enormous 506 yard par 4 on the second, one of the hardest holes out there, which challenges players with a dog leg left.

The first par 3 comes in at the fourth hole. Stretching to 188 yards, the pin placement here will be pivotal – with it set up down the left side of the green then players will have a much easier chance to score birdie or better.

A 302 yard par 4 follows to cap off the first five holes which will again present a good opportunity for those who can drive the green, but the challenge here is the body of water snaking its way along the front-left of the green.

So where can these players score today in the front nine?

He’s on the cusp of the fairway and nails an approach to the green. He’ll putt for birdie on the sixth.

But Scheffler goes closer! The American can get one back here!

Meanwhile, here’s how the European fans greeted McIlroy on the frist tee box…

What a start from the Norwegian!

He’s two up through four.

Burns has just halved against McIlroy on two, while Scheffler holes out a birdie to stop Rahm taking a three-hole lead.

Hatton and Harman teeing off in the next game now. Both are in tricky lies on the first.

Meanwhile Paul McGinley has spoken on the European’s fast start. They look in the mood this morning so far and are now up in four of the six matches out there now

McGinley said to Sky Sports: ‘The body language and facial expressions of the European team is very impressive.

‘They all look focused and poised and have certainly reset overnight. That’s a sign of a good meeting last night. Based on a resetting the tone after all the emotion. They’ve come out with a really good set of purpose.’

A great hole from the Englishman and he gets down in three to take the first hole of their match, with Homa unable to get on the green.

Great start from the 2022 US Open champ!

Meanwhile, Rahm puts his approach to within a few feet of the hole on the fifth.

According to NBC the caddie has reeached out to the four-time major winner to clear the air after their altercation last night.

Mail Sport’s Charlotte Daily has the full story here…

He’s chipped on to go 10 feet out on the first.

Tricky shotin from Homa. He’s in the second cut and can’t find the green! The ball trickles back down the fairway in approach.

Scheffler meanwhile can’t find the green on the fifth!

He’s beaten Morikawa with another excellent putt on the third!

The FedEx Cup champion, although beaten in the fourballs yesterday by Burns and Morikawa, has been sensational this week.

Here he was last night getting a well deserved rest!

Maybe the man of the tournament so far for Europe?

A fantastic shot from Patrick Cantlay – he;s got ice in his veins.

He’s about 30 yards out and winds his shot in for a birdie against Rose on the third.

Meanwhile, Scheffler matches Rahm havling the fourth – tension starting to build!

Huge point for McIlroy!

He wins the first with Burns unable to hole out!

Our fifth match is starting now. And it’s a big one!

It’s Homa to go first and he sends his tee shot down the right into the rough.

He was outstanding yesterday – perhaps the best player in the fourball session winning four holes against Fleetwood and Hojgaard.

But Fitzpatrick one-ups him – he goes straight down the middle with his drive.

Sam Burns hist a fanrtasic bunker shot from out of the bunker on the first.

He’s on in two here and can keep the pressure on McIlroy who goes within a couple of feet from the fringes – looks like they’re both playing for par here but McIlroy has the advantage

Meanwhile on two, Rose is playing from the rough and its a great shot – it lands on the fairway and trickles onto the green. He’s got a way into the hole but he’ll have a good chance for a par here.

Cantlay misses a birdie putt uncharacteristically and Justin Rose makes no mistake in tapping in for par. They’ll halve the first.

Morikawa hits a clutch par putt on two to tkeep him and Viktor Hovland level through two.

Luke Donald has lauded the fast start from his guys after being asked whether they’re pumped up today following yesterday’s controversy.

We are excited for today, a new day. Look at that start from the guys, Jon Rahm birdying the first, Viktor and Rose on the fairways, these guys are ready.

We want to start strong, Jon has been our statistically strongest player, he is a giant in the game we know that. We expect a lot of blue early.I have ultimate confidence in my team from day one, we know what the mission is and want to go and enjoy the day.

This could be the deciding match for Team Europe.

But Burns slices his tee shot. It goes wildly into a group of spectators on the right of the fairway.

Here comes Rory…

He hits a high fade and its spot on.

He’s whacked that over 300 yards and is just behind the bunker on the right of the fairway.

McIlroy paces on out of the tee box and is soaking up the atmosphere of the fans singing ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries.

European fans are singing ‘Zombie’ by the Cranberries at Rory here – a song that has been synonymous with the Irish Rugby team at the World Cup this year.

But instead of signing the word ‘Zombie’ – they’ve replaced it with ‘Rory’!

Good shot from Viktor, and he gets a bit lucky. The grass on the back right keeps his ball from rolling off.

Morikawa on two plays a decent blind approach shot – his approach game in 2021 was phenomenal and it shows. Great effort from where he was.

Scheffler finds the heart of the green on three. But it’s perhaps not his best, the pin is to the left of the green so he’ll have about 40 feet to putt here.

Rahm meanwhile can’t find the green. He’s off the back in the first cut.

Speaking yesterday on the celebrations on the 18th tee that have sparked controversy, Patrick Cantlay admitted he was unaware of any animosity.

He said: ‘I was too busy letting out all the emotion that built up over the day. I didn’t get a good look at it.

When pressed on whether he was not wearing the cap in protest he added: ‘Not at all. This is the first I heard of it right when I got off the green. That’s the furthest thing from the truth.’

He’s letting his golf do the work today too. He’s just hit his approach on the first to within a couple of feet from 160 yards out.

Rose hits the green too, but his accuracy is not as good, he’s about 15 yards off the cup.

It’s squirming away in front of Viktor Hovland on the tee box, but doesn’t put him off – he slams his drive down the middle.

Rahm and Scheffler are teeing off on the 450 yard par 4 third. Scheffler takes an iron and looks like he’s played it well. He’s a couple of yards ahead of Rahm on the fairway but have a difficult lie here, the ball will be below both of their feet.

The European fans have their hats in the air again on the first tee.

Cantlay is going to hit first here.

And it’s a brilliant strike. Straight down the middle!

The American’s picked up where he started yesterday, hitting birdies on 16, 17 and 18.

Rose to go next. He’s been in fine form this week on his return to the Ryder Cup after missing out on Whistling Straits.

Perfect drive. Slap bang in the middle. He’s a few yards back from Cantlay but might have a slightly better angle in here.

Hovland fist pumps the air before strutting off to the second tee box.

It’s all square in this match through 1.

Meanwhile here comes Patrick Cantlay.

Scheffler’s got a bit of momentum here. He’s bit back at Rahm here putting his approach to within a couple of yards for the hole. Advantage America.

Meanwhile, Morikawa has played a stunning approach shot into the green from the left rough – excellent play from him, he’ll have a putt for birdie.

But wait! Hovland’s just put his shot from around 40 feet out to within an inch of the hole! Ah that was agonisingly close!!!

He’ll tap in for par, with Morikawa able to win the first if he can putt out here.

More from the US Team captain now, and Johnson has hit out at the reports that have claimed there’s been a rift in the US Team camp.

Speaking on the claims he said: ‘That is extremely poor journalism unless I know something that’s out there — there is not a rift in this team room. This is one of the most united teams I have ever been associated with.

‘And when it comes to the dollar sign, I don’t mean to sound cliché, but the Ryder Cup is about more than any of that. It’s about standing with a band of guys to represent your nation, to represent more than you in the game of golf.

‘It’s a sport for one week. And you know what, I would say if there’s anything that deals with money, there’s guys that would pay to play in this. So I am not understanding that, and I think that is extremely inaccurate and arguably irresponsible.’

Johnson has also added when asked why Cantlay wasn’t wearing a cap:’ Somebody else mentioned that to me, too. I guess it’s like a social media — is it viral thing right now that he’s not wearing (one)? I don’t think he likes the fit of the hats. I know that. That’s what the facts are. He doesn’t like the fit of the hats. The facts are he didn’t wear a hat two years ago at Whistling Straits. And another fact, some of the stalwarts and legends of the European game that I admire and, frankly, have modelled

Huge putt from 15 feet for the Spaniard and he wins the hole!

That is a massive birdie from the Masters champion.

It’s the dream start for Europe and he looks very determined. Not a massive celebration but he’s looking focused here.

Just remembered this is a rematch of their battle at Whistling Straits.

Scottie Scheffler got the win that day 4 & 3, but Rahm’s in for revenge here!

We can hear shouting in the distance on the first tee.

But it’s Morikawa to go first. He had a good end to his match yesterday alongside Sam Burns, but he pulls his shot left into the spectators! Not a good start.

Hovland’s sent his right down the middle – a brilliant strike.

Some news coming in from the green at the first…

Hes about 30 feet out from the hole and puts his shot short! It needed a little more muscle to get that one in, but its not bad, he has a putt for par here and the pressure is on Rahm to win this hole!

According to NBC, Joe LeCava reportedly reached out to Rory McIlroy last night to apologise and clear the air…

Rahm and Scheffler both on the green here.

The Spaniard gets his a little closer, but Scheffler’s also on for birdie.

In his press conference after Saturday’s play, US Team captain Zach Johnson admitted he didn’t think Joe LeCava over-stepped the line in with his celebrations as Rory McIlroy tried to hit his putt to halve the match.

Speaking on the celebrations he said: ‘Sure. Well, what I saw on 18 was a phenomenal putt and a celebration by some of our guys, and you know, I saw passion and all of what’s great in the Ryder Cup come out.

‘And to my knowledge, based on what I was told, that was diffused after the match, and so I’m told it’s all good. Yeah, that’s really all I know.’

He was asked about LeCava’s actions too, and was pressed particularly on whether he thought his actions were within the spirit of the game: ‘I don’t know about that. I mean, to my knowledge, it was diffused. I spoke with Joe after, and he said he talked to Rory and it was all good. That’s all I know.’

It’s two pretty exceptional tee shots on the first here.

Rahm goes straight down the middle too with a lovely fade.

But I think Scheffler’s got the distance on him here – they’ll have around 1600 yards in to the pin.

Meanwhile, let’s take a look at what the captains said after yesterday’s drama!

Scottie’s gettin plenty of ‘oles’ for his practice swings!

Apparently European fans have been giving him a hard time singing ‘We saw you cry on the telly!’

He steps up and sends his drive right down the middle!

A good response from the world No 1.

We’re ready to go here!

The first tee is a cauldron of noise right now.

Reminder, Europe need four points to win the Ryder cup.

What a match this is going to be!

Rahm v Scheffler – who’s winning this one then?

There is some atmosphere on the first tee right now – WOW.

He’s waving his hat there for a long, long time.

Let me know in the comments whether you think he crossed the line here?

Speaking to Sky Sports on whether players should be paid in the Ryder Cup, Sir Nick Faldo said to Sky Sports: ‘Seve Ballesteros would turn in his grave.’

Paul McGinley added: ‘It’s a shame it’s come to this – this sense of entitlement. The Americans get a pension thanks to the Ryder Cup.’

We’ve got a huge tee time coming up at 11.35 with Masters champion Jon Rahm taking on world No 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler didn’t have a great day yesterday at all. He and Brooks Koepka were beaten 9 & 7 by Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.

The American was seen dejected after the match – but will that fuel his fire today against Rahm?

Here’s what our reporters Ollie Holt and Riath Al-Samarrai say, do you agree?

So it’s been claimed that Cantlay is protesting players not being paid at the Ryder Cup and is reportedly not wearing a cap in protest of that.

Players at the Ryder Cup do not play for prize money.

He’s the only player out there not wearing a cap. And it’s worth noting he didn’t wear a cap at Whistling Straits in 2021.

After the match against McIlroy and Fitzpatrick on Saturday, he gave his reasons for not wearing the cap.

‘It just doesn’t fit. It’s as simple as that. I didn’t wear it at Whistling Straits because the hat just doesn’t fit, so that’s really all it is?’

There’s a lot to ingest from what happened on the 18th green last night.

Joe LeCava was shouting and gesticulating with Rory McIlroy as he tried to make a putt to halve the match.

After Patrick Cantlay putted out, LeCava was stood waving his hat and didn’t move out of McIlroy’s way after he was repeatedly asked politely to move by the Northern Irishman.

LeCava used to work alongside Tiger Woods and also helped Freddie Couples take 12 PGA Tour wins. He’s one of the most well-known and experienced caddies in the world.

Mail Sport’s Elizabeth Haigh has all the details below…

Europe 10.5 – 5.5 USA

Europe now need 4 more points to win

Saturday morning fourballs

• 2 & 1 Rory McIlroy & Tommy Fleetwood v Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth
• 9 & 7 Viktor Hovland & Ludvig Aberg Scottie Scheffler & Brooks Koepka
• Shane Lowry & Sepp Straka v Max Homa and Brian Harman 4 & 2
• 2 & 1 Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton v Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele

Saturday afternoon foursomes

• Viktor Hovland & Ludvig Aberg v Sam Burns & Collin Morikawa 4 & 3
• Tommy Fleetwood & Nicolai Hojgaard v Max Homa & Brian Harman 2 &1
• 3 & 2 upJustin Rose & Robert MacIntyre v Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth
• Matt Fitzpartrick & Rory McIlroy v Patrick Cantlay & Wyndham Clark 1up

Will Rory McIlroy be fired up today?

He’s out at 12:11 this morning and takes on Sam Burns, who had a huge day yesterday picking up four holes and a point for his team alongside Collin Morikawa.

This is set to be a huge bout.

Earlier in the day, Sky Sports released a report that Patrick Cantlay wasn’t wearing a hat at the tournament in protest that players weren’t getting paid to play at the Ryder Cup.

It sparked a lot of talk around the course with European fans poking fun at the former FedEx Cup winner, taking their hats off and waving at him while he walked down the 16th fairway.

The report claimed that Cantlay was at the heart of a rift in the US Team. dressing room.

But as he approached the 18th to claim the final match, all the US players took their caps off and hit back at the claims, waving them back at the European fans as Cantlay claimed the final match point with his putt on 18.

There was plenty of drama yesterday at the Ryder Cup on the 18th green.

It was ignited by Patrick Cantlay’s caddie after the American won the final match of Saturday’s fourballs.

It appeared that he had been celebrating excessively in front of Rory McIlroy who was still to hit his putt and was trying to line up his final shot.

McIlroy could have halved the hole, had he nailed the putt.

Here’s the incident on the green…

But Joe LaCava appeared to wave his cap in front of him in celebration, and started speaking to him while McIlroy was trying to read the green before putting out.

It sparked much debate on social media, and on the course! The caddie then turned to the European players on the edge of the green and started to gesticulate with them too – with Shane Lowry acting as the peace keeper.

Tensions boiled over on the 18th, but they spilled over into the car park too after the match – with McIlroy seen in a video angrily yelling at what appeared to be LaCava, with the Northern Irishman also seeming to clash with Justin Thomas’s caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay, who was also notably Phil Mickelson’s caddie.

Will last night’s drama fuel the fire in Europe today?

What a week its been! We’re gearing up for a huge day today and the players are in the house!

Europe need FOUR points to win the Ryder Cup.

And Luke Donald looks like he’s gone strong early on with his picks!

But they’ll be met by some big stars on the US team.

RIATH AL-SAMARRAI IN ROME: The finest golfers of the US started the day as a joke and they ended it as a punchline. But hats off to those Americans – they are not giving up this Ryder Cup to Europe without a fight.

If they are to pull it off, and what a sizeable ‘if’ that is, it will require the biggest capitulation this contest has ever seen.

OLIVER HOLT IN ROME: When Rory McIlroy walked down the hill from the 16th tee to the fairway as the shadows lengthened yesterday evening, it felt like one of the great scenes in the emotional hinterland of this competition.

Lines of noble cedars stood like sentries, silhouetted against the fading light and thousands of fans sang McIlroy’s name and waved their caps in the air. It felt as if we had been transported back to the Matthews Cup Final and a golden age of sport.

READ THE FULL STORY BELOW

Rory McIlroy is the talk of the town this morning after his heated exchange with Patrick Cantlay’s caddy last night. He was dragged away from the encounter but has emerged gleeful as ever in the Italian sun this morning.

The final day is here and Team USA have managed to make it without slumping to defeat on what eventually turned out to be a decent Saturday for them. Team Europe maintain their position in the driving seat and need just four points to reclaim the trophy.

Stick with us throughout the morning, afternoon and evening for all the action from Rome.