Europe took a decisive step towards retaining the Ryder Cup after another brilliant morning session of fourballs. They won three of the four matches 3-1 to move to an 8.5-3.5 lead, going into the afternoon fourballs with a commanding position.
Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Young beat Matt Fitzpatrick and Ludvig Aberg 4&2. DeChambeau and Young struck first blood for the Americans, getting ahead early before a wave of blue followed behind. They went ahead at the third hole, but the European pair quickly hit back on the next hole. The Europeans then took control by winning the seventh, eighth, and ninth holes consecutively, moving into an unassailable position. They sealed the victory with a birdie on the 16th.
Score: Europe 5.5, USA 3.5
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood defeated Harris English and Collin Morikawa 3&2. It was déjà vu for Fleetwood Mac as they overwhelmed the American duo for a second consecutive morning. Though Keegan Bradley stood by Morikawa and English and their team got off to a hopeful start by winning the first hole, McIlroy and Fleetwood quickly showed their dominance. Birdies at the second and third holes turned the match around, followed by further wins at the fifth, seventh, and eighth holes, putting them four up. The Americans mounted a brief comeback to narrow the gap to two under, but a European birdie on the 16th hole sealed the victory.
Score: Europe 6.5, USA 3.5
Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton continued their brilliant form to beat Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 3&2. The LIV teammates squandered a two-up lead to be all square, but Rahm’s brilliant chip from the edge of a bunker gave Europe the advantage once again. They did not relinquish the lead, securing birdies at the 12th and 16th holes to claim another point. This victory marked five wins from five fourball matches for Rahm.
Score: Europe 7.5, USA 3.5
Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland edged out Russell Henley and Scottie Scheffler 1 up in a nail-biting encounter. Vik and Bob proved they are no comedy act, shooting down the stars and stripes of America with a tense victory. This was the only match that went to the 18th hole. The United States, having come back from two down, leveled the match at the 13th. However, momentum swung back to Europe as a birdie at the 14th put them ahead again. Clutch putts from MacIntyre at the 15th and Hovland at the 17th holes ensured the team took the crucial point.
With this dominant morning session, Europe now leads 8.5 to 3.5, putting them in a strong position to retain the Ryder Cup as the afternoon fourball matches approach.
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