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.
MacIntyre edges ahead
1UP Robert MacIntyre v Wyndham Clark (15)
Some magic from the Scot to bounce back after those two lost holes. His chip nips, bounces and stops just shy of the hole and he’s back in the lead as Clark can’t make his putt from 8 feet.
Lowry steals lead with birdie on 17
1UP Shane Lowry v Jordan Spieth (17)
Shane Lowry! Marvellous from the Irishman to dramatically win the 17th. Both went left off the tee but it’s Lowry who is able to get up and down and make the birdie as he wheels away in celebration!
He has a chance now to get Europe over the line - it’s a race between him and Fleetwood.
Thomas holds on for another US win
Justin Thomas beats Sepp Straka 2UP
Straka can’t quite manage to get up and down to make the birdie and he concedes the hole to Thomas. A sterling performance from Thomas in the end to justify his selection.
EUROPE ARE GOING TO WIN THE RYDER CUP!
2UP Tommy Fleetwood v Rickie Fowler (16)
Fleetwood nurses the ball down the slope and Fowler concedes the birdie putt. The American was out of the hole having found the water and that means EUROPE WILL WIN THE RYDER CUP!
The match isn’t over but Fleetwood is guaranteed a half point which will guarantee Europe reach the magic 14.5 mark.
Shot of the day from Fleetwood
1UP Tommy Fleetwood v Rickie Fowler (15)
And finally, Europe may be able to breathe.
Fowler lines up his drive into the short par four but it’s way right and into the water. In response, it’s a simply divine drive from Fleetwood which ends up on the green.
Should he two-putt from there, he would go two up with two to play, securing the vital half point for Europe.
Short-game magic from Lowry
Shane Lowry v Jordan Spieth A/S (16)
A huge moment a couple of holes back as Lowry produces a moment of Ryder Cup magic from the bunker on 16. It releases onto the green and runs up to within kick-in range.
Spieth, meanwhile, is in an awful spot and makes a real mess out of his shot from the rough. The ball stays in the thick stuff and he’s unable to hole out at the second time of asking to half the hole.
All square in this one and a chance for Europe to find that half point.
Advantage Straka down the last
Sepp Straka v Justin Thomas 1UP (17)
The Austrian booms one down the last and the pressure tells as Thomas finds himself in the bunker with his drive. Some big moments coming up for the Ryder Cup rookie.
The contact is good but it just leaks out to the right and into the greenside bunker. That’s not a bad miss.
Thomas can only lay up from the sand.
Final match all square
Robert MacIntyre v Wyndham Clark A/S (14)
Goodness me now it really is getting nervy. MacIntyre misses a tiddler to half the hole and his two-hole lead has evaporated in a matter of holes. The Scot must compose himself, here.
Fleetwood misses birdie effort
1UP Tommy Fleetwood v Rickie Fowler (15)
A huge chance goes begging for Fleetwood after he fails to take advantage of a superb iron shot and leaves his birdie effort short.
Fowler saves his par and the lead stays at just one.
Schauffele moves US into double digits
Xander Schauffele beats Nicolai Hojgaard 3&2
Hojgaard can’t get up and down for his par at the 16th and match nine has run its course. A good comeback from Schauffele to get his first point of the week.
The US now trail by just four. They couldn’t? Could they...
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