UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
After two days of action at the Ryder Cup, Europe holds a significant 10.5-5.5 lead over the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
Luke Donald and his European side were miles ahead with a seven-point advantage over Zach Johnson, and the Americans headed into Saturday afternoon, but a small comeback gives the United States the tiniest of chances with 12 matches remaining on Sunday.
There was plenty of drama on Saturday, including a quarrel between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava. We’ll take you through all of it in this article.
Ryder Cup 2023 standings after day two
Afternoon matches
![]() | Results | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Hovland/Åberg | ![]() | Burns/Morikawa |
Fleetwood/Højgaard | ![]() | Homa/Harman |
Rose/MacIntyre | ![]() | Thomas/Spieth |
Fitzpatrick/McIlroy | ![]() | Cantlay/Clark |
1 | Session | 3 |
101⁄2 | Overall | 51⁄2 |
Morning matches
![]() | Results | ![]() |
---|---|---|
McIlroy/Fleetwood | ![]() | Thomas/Spieth |
Åberg/Hovland | ![]() | Scheffler/Koepka |
Lowry/Straka | ![]() | Homa/Harman |
Rahm/Hatton | ![]() | Schauffele/Cantlay |
3 | Session | 1 |
91⁄2 | Overall | 21⁄2 |
Day two highlights
The following section features Twitter videos showcasing the best moments at the Ryder Cup on Saturday.
Europe has one hand on the trophy
The heavy lead held by Europe almost guarantees the continent will continue its winning 30-year reign on home soil. The last time the United States won in enemy territory was in 1993 at the Belfry in England.
The United States would need to pull off their own “Miracle at Medinah” as Europe did in 2012 when trailing 10-6 entering the final day and pulling off the most improbable of comebacks.
Jon Rahm and Europe continue to excel
The Spaniard holds a 2-0-1 record through two days and leads the entire field in strokes gained tee-too-green (+10.06). He continues to hit clutch shot after clutch shot, including nearly acing the par 3, 17th yesterday en route to victory with Tyrrell Hatton.
JON RAHM!!! 💪🇪🇺#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/Fa0ZUH4hwZ
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023
Hatton and McIlroy have been the next best players for Europe, holding 2-0-1 and 3-1-0 records. Viktor Hovland (2-1-1) and Tommy Fleetwood (2-1-0) have also enabled Europe to keep their foot on the gas for most of the Ryder Cup.
TOMMY! 😲
That was clutch.#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/l8ufTKoDBl
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023
Drama, drama, drama
The final match with Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark (1-up) defeating Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick brought fireworks on and off the course. The scenes were more reminiscent of a drama-filled reality show rather than a sporting event.
This angle of caddie Joe LaCava on the 18th 😬
— Covers (@Covers) September 30, 2023
A report claiming Cantlay was in a rift with his U.S. teammates over not being paid for the Ryder Cup and refusing to wear a cap for that reason caused the fans to heckle Cantlay throughout the match.
PATTY ICE SWAGGER! 🚫🧢 #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/uAPr2MLlY7
— Tyler Tamboline (@ToeTagginTambo) September 30, 2023
Cantlay’s teammates and caddie Joe LaCava came to his defense, while vice-captain Steve Stricker said the claims were untrue. LaCava was interacting with the crowd on 18 and was in McIlroy’s space before his putt to potentially tie, which led to an argument on the course, which continued in the parking lot.
A furious Rory McIlroy confronted a Team USA caddie in the car park, after he was spotted waving his cap in McIlroy’s face when lining up his final putt on 18 😳pic.twitter.com/Ha4r5hDsGi
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 30, 2023
Scheffler and Koepka historically dismantled by Hovland and Aberg
The pair of Scandinavians 9 & 7 win was the biggest win in Ryder Cup foursomes history over the duo of major winners. Scheffler, the World No. 1 and current PGA champion Koepka, recorded a 40 on the front nine despite being favored to win.
“Anybody who thinks the Americans don’t care about this, you’re seeing it right here…” 🇺🇲😞 pic.twitter.com/AOduU7cLmR
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 30, 2023
Big names struggling for the USA
Scheffler, Koepka, Schauffele and Spieth were all highly touted entering the event but have failed to secure a single win.
Max Homa shining bright
The Cal Berkeley product is playing in his first Ryder Cup and has paced the Americans so far with a 2-1-1 record. Homa’s had his share of critics for not performing well in the biggest events but silenced them at the Open Championship and is continuing to do so this week.
Are you not entertained?!@MaxHoma was on FIRE today 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NQ3farmAQs
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 30, 2023
Justin Thomas proving he shouldn’t have been selected
The American had quite the resume at the Ryder Cup entering the 44th edition but brought scrutiny to Johnson when he selected him as a captain’s pick. Many people in the golf world believed Keegan Bradley was more deserving, and some wished for Bryson DeChambeau to be picked.
Thomas endured an extremely subpar season on the PGA Tour with missed cuts left and right and has proceeded to play poorly at the Ryder Cup with a 0-2-1 record.
JT
0-2-1 going into Sunday.
According to DataGolf, so far Justin Thomas ranks 23rd out of 24 in cumulative strokes gained (-7.07).
Spieth ranks 24th at -9.65
— Lou Stagner (Golf Stat Pro) (@LouStagner) September 30, 2023
Ryder Cup 2023 updated odds
- Europe to win: -1400 (1.07)
- USA to win: +1400 (15)
- Tie: +1600 (17)
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!