After a remarkable first day of the Ryder Cup in Rome, Europe holds a “sensational” 612-112 advantage over the United States.

The hosts swept the morning session for the first time, racing to a 4-0 lead, then held off a determined US comeback to win 212-112.

Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, and Justin Rose all holed critical putts on the 18th to give Europe a half-point lead.

And, alongside Rory McIlroy, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick earned his first Ryder Cup point with a dramatic 5&3 victory.

Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, started the second hole with four birdies and an eagle to put his combination solidly in command of the bottom match against Xander Schauffele and Colleen Morikawa. McIlroy added a birdie of his own on the eighth to put them six up.

Europe sweeps the United States in the first foursomes session of the Ryder Cup 2023.
“Those putts by Viktor, Jon, and [Rose] make a huge difference,” Europe captain Luke Donald said, according to BBC Sport.

“It was fantastic, a dream start for us.” This morning’s performance by the boys was outstanding, and this afternoon was challenging.