Team Europe golfer Rory McIlroy Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports

Europe dominates USA in historic fashion to kick off Ryder Cup

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/29/23

Team Europe dominated Team USA in historic fashion Friday morning during the opening session of the 2023 Ryder Cup to go up 4-0 for the first time in the tournament's existence.

The 44th Ryder Cup is taking place at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.

Per Justin Ray of Twenty First Group, the Americans finally took their first lead in any match of the 2023 event just after 2 p.m.

Good morning from Rome.

Europe has not led after the opening session of the #RyderCup since 2006.

But in the last four Ryder Cups held on their home soil, the Europeans have a 22.5 to 9.5 advantage in foursomes (alternate shot) - the format of today's opening session.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) September 29, 2023

This is the first time Europe has ever swept the opening session of the Ryder Cup.

It's just the second instance of one side sweeping the first session of the Ryder Cup and no matches reached 18 (USA in 1975).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) September 29, 2023

The pairing of defending Masters champion Jon Rahm and World No. 11 golfer Tyrrell Hatton began the action with a 4&3 victory over 2022 Masters champion (and current No. 1-ranked ) Scottie Scheffler and 20th-ranked Sam Burns. PGA Championship runner-up Viktor Hovland and 23-year-old Ludvig Aberg picked up a 4&3 win against seventh-ranked Max Homa and 2023 Open Championship victor Brian Homa, while former Open Championship winner Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka edged 34-year-old Rickie Fowler and two-time major winner Collin Morikawa in their matchup.

Four-time major victor (and World No. 2) Rory McIlroy and 32-year-old Tommy Fleetwood defeated Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay 2&1 to complete the morning session sweep.

The Europeans are looking to win back the trophy after falling to the Americans 19-9 at the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Team USA, meanwhile, is trying to end a 30-year drought of failing to capture the Cup at events played outside the U.S.

With 24 more matches to play through the weekend, the Americans need 14 points to retain the hardware, while the Europeans need 14 1/2.

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