Ryder Cup 2023 LIVE: Day 3 scores and updates as McIlroy helps Europe hold off USA comeback to secure victory
Europe saw off a late thrilling late fightback from the USA to get over the line
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Your support makes all the difference.Europe have won the Ryder Cup after holding off a late fightback to defeat USA 16.5-11.5 on a dramatic final day of singles at Marco Simone.
The Europeans were led from the front by an inspired Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy, who put captain Luke Donald’s side on the verge of victory.
But the Americans showed fight and character with the middle of the leaderboard turning into a sea of red, forcing Europe to hold their nerve and close it out.
After Max Homa denied Matt Fitzpatrick, who missed a putt to clinch the cup, the winning half-point was secured by Tommy Fleetwood down the stretch, getting Europe past the magic 14.5 mark with his victory over Rickie Fowler. And the final match was left to Shane Lowry and Jordan Spieth, with the American snatching a half surrounded by chaos on the 18th as joyous European fans started the party in Rome.
Follow all the reaction and latest updates from Rome as Europe win the Ryder Cup.
Hovland moves three clear
3UP Viktor Hovland v Collin Morikawa (11)
It’s simply unrelenting pressure from the European who makes his sixth birdie in eleven holes at the short par four. Morikawa is unable to convert his look at birdie and the American is now trailing by three with just seven holes remaining.
Burns eagle cuts lead
2UP Rory McIlroy v Sam Burns (9)
Perhaps the shot of the day from Sam Burns into the par-five ninth as he sets up an eagle effort. McIlroy is in for the birdie but it matters not as Burns wins it with the eagle!
Tremendous hole for the American who trails now by two heading onto the back nine.
Cantlay holding firm
Justin Rose v Patrick Cantlay 2UP (9)
A nerveless downhill effort from the American as he follows in Rose for a birdie at the ninth. Two up he remains as those two make the turn.
Red growing down the board
It could be too little too late but some encouraging performances down the board.
Thomas, Koepka and Spieth have all moved 2up in their respective matches. Whether the US are still in it by the time their matches conclude is another matter entirely.
Scheffler moves ahead
Jon Rahm v Scottie Scheffler 1UP (11)
Not Rahm’s finest couple of holes. The Spaniard is in a tough lie near the green but the ball squirts out and flies off the green. From there, it’s another error as his chip doesn’t get up the slope and returns to his feet.
Scheffler, meanwhile, pours in his birdie putt and takes the lead. Some red at the top of the board, finally.
Matt Fitzpatrick v Max Homa A/S (8)
The 8th has proved a tricky customer for Europe today and Fitzpatrick is the latest to fall victim to the tricky par four. In the water he goes and that match is now all square.
McIlroy saves par to tie hole
3UP Rory McIlroy v Sam Burns (8)
Rory is in trouble off the tee on the eighth but Burns can’t capitalise fully. It’s up and down from the World No.2 in the end to save his par and tie the hole.
Hojgaard extends lead; Thomas saves par
2UP Nicolai Hojgaard v Xander Schauffele (3)
Some positive movement down in one of the latter matches as Hojgaard moves two ahead against the struggling Schauffele. Elsewhere, Thomas riles up the crowd with a long-range par save to tie the hole with Straka on the fourth.
Trading birdies at six
2UP Tyrrell Hatton v Brian Harman (6)
Hatton is looking like a man on a mission this morning as he fires in another dart on the sixth. A confident stroke as the ball finds the bottom of the cup. Another birdie for him.
But it’s a great response from Harman who also makes his birdie. He’s not going away easily that is for sure.
Superb recovery from Rahm
Jon Rahm v Scottie Scheffler A/S (10)
The Spaniard is yelling at his ball to get further right off the tee and it listens, just avoiding the water down that side.
But my word that is superb! A brutish swing from Rahm to muscle the ball out of some thick rough and up to the back of the green. Few in world golf could do that.
A great four in the end from him as Scheffler makes par, too.
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