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.
Cantlay misses out
Justin Rose v Patrick Cantlay 2UP (8)
Cantlay with a downhiller for three-up...just short. A poor putt by his standards but he still has a nice lead in this third match.
Hovland makes the turn with the lead
2UP Viktor Hovland v Collin Morikawa (9)
A delightful chip from Hovland for a tap-in birdie on the par five. Morikawa has a long-range birdie putt that just runs out of steam in the jaws of the hole.
Hovland keeps his two-hole lead as match two makes the turn.
Bit of red further down the board
The main focus is these top matches but there’s some early progress from the Americans down the board.
Koepka has an early lead over Aberg, as does Thomas over Straka and Spieth over Lowry.
They have to turn more of these top matches, though, for that to matter.
Harman cuts the lead
2UP Tyrrell Hatton v Brian Harman (5)
Hatton is way right with his shot into the driveable par four and struggles to just make par. Harman almost makes a meal out of his up and down but walks away with birdie in the end to cut the Englishman’s lead to two.
McIlroy on the charge
3UP Rory McIlroy v Sam Burns (7)
McIlroy is in the driving seat in this match and further extends his lead with a wonderful iron shot into the par-three seventh. Another birdie for him and Burns is really in a tough spot in match four.
Chances go begging
1UP Matt Fitzpatrick v Max Homa (6)
Chances for both at the par-four sixth but neither can convert. Fitzpatrick maintains his slender advantage.
Scheffler pulls level in the top match
Jon Rahm v Scottie Scheffler A/S (9)
A real mess made of the par-five ninth from Rahm - that’s been a trend in the European team this week and perhaps one of few negatives.
He bounces from rough to even thicker rough and Scheffler’s comfortable birdie is enough to square up that top match as they make the turn.
Cantlay extends lead
Justin Rose v Patrick Cantlay 2UP (7)
Rose has a terrible stance out of a bunker on the seventh. It’s well hacked out but his par putt just runs out of steam and dies off to the left.
Cantlay rolls in his par to take a 2-up lead in that match. He’s doing his job but he’s lacking support from the rest of the early US starters.
Morikawa gets one back
2UP Viktor Hovland v Collin Morikawa (8)
A rare wild tee shot from Hovland and he misses his chance to save par and the hole. Morikawa back to just 2 down now.
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