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a14 people & arts
Monday 2 october 2023

Ryder Cup in Rome stays right at home for the Europeans

By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
GUIDONIA MONTECELIO,
Italy (AP) — The best col-
lection of players at Marco
Simone had flags from their
eight countries draped
around their shoulders as
they took turns clutching
and thrusting the gold Ry-
der Cup, the very trophy
that turns them into one
nation, one team, with one
purpose.
The celebration was famil-
iar on European soil, and so
was the winner of the Ryder
Cup. Team Europe, embar-
rassed two years at Whis-
tling Straits when it suffered
its worst loss to the Ameri-
cans, got their payback
Sunday, along with that 17-
inch trophy. The Europe team led by Europe’s Team Captain Luke Donald, at center, lift the Ryder Cup after winning it at the Marco Simone Golf
"Not many people gave us Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. Associated Press
a chance, I don't think, es-
pecially two years ago," Eu-
ropean captain Luke Don- wound up conceding the "This is our time to shine, not Cantlay was the only player Sunday. The Americans
ald said. "Well, we proved birdie to Fleetwood, who because this is our stage. not wearing a USA cap (he made them sweat, but only
them wrong." raised both arms to the We are just taking care of says it didn't fit right) but an briefly.
Europe now has seven loudest cheer of the week. it because of the amazing unsubstantiated Sky Sports Rahm won the 18th hole to
straight wins at home dat- "I really didn't want to come role models that we've had report Saturday morning earn a half-point against
ing to 1993. down to one of us at the before us that have shown said it was to protest not Scottie Scheffler. Hatton
This one wasn't even partic- back," said Fleetwood, in us how to do it," said Justin getting paid. Cantlay re- completed an unbeaten
ularly close, from the open- the 11th spot in the lineup. Rose, at 43 the oldest play- ferred to the report as "out- week by beating British
ing session Friday, which Eu- "Just so happened to play er in the Ryder Cup. right lies." Open champion Brian Har-
rope swept for the first time a part — it was a bit bigger "A good pairing on the But the Europeans fans man. Hovland put the first
in history, to the Sunday sin- than I thought I was going European team doesn't picked up on it and heckled blue point on the board in
gles that led to a 16 1/2-11 to have when we saw the mean playing with your him endlessly, waving their a win over Collin Morikawa.
1/2 victory. draw. But just so proud of best mate," he said. "It caps at him at every turn. All Europe needed was
Rory McIlroy, in tears two being part of this team." means representing some- Cantlay never flinched, one more halve, and Fleet-
years ago after his shabby The Americans were confi- thing bigger than yourself. making three straight bird- wood assured that with a
performance, was among dent, mainly based on their And I feel like that's for me ies to win a fourballs match. 2-up lead with two holes to
Europe's top players who 19-9 victory in Wisconsin what being a European Ry- McIlroy still had a putt to tie, play against Fowler.
quickly doused any Ameri- two years ago, that they der Cup player is all about." and he was furious when The only mood that mat-
can dreams of a rally. He finally would win on Euro- Whatever hopes the Ameri- he felt Cantlay's caddie, tered was pure joy, with
beat Sam Burns to go 4-1 pean soil for the first time in cans had Sunday didn't last Joe LaCava, celebrated Europeans leaping into the
for the week, the first time 30 years. long. for too long and too close water to celebrate a win
he was Europe's top scorer Now make it 34 years. Their They needed to win the to the action, even when they badly needed.
in his seventh appearance. next chance is 2027 at last five matches still on asked to move. McIlroy The Americans still lead the
"I was so disappointed af- Adare Manor in Ireland. the course. Matt Fitzpat- was seen that night being overall series in the Ryder
ter Whistling Straits — we all "I think the European team rick of England was in po- held back as he described Cup dating to 1927. But
were," McIlroy said. "And played some phenomenal sition to win the 18th hole the behavior as "(expletive) since Europe joined the
we wanted to come here golf. I think it really is quite for the clinching half-point disgraceful." party in 1979 — the modern
to Rome and redeem our- that simple," U.S. captain with Max Homa buried in "I was probably the angri- era — Europe now has a
selves." Zach Johnson said, his gnarly rough above the est I have ever been in my 12-9-1 advantage.
Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland voice choking to the point bunker. Homa, on the ad- career," McIlroy said. "I said Next up is Bethpage Black
and Tyrrell Hatton also that it was hard for him vice of caddie Joe Greiner, to the U.S. guys I thought it on Long Island in New York,
picked up key points early to complete a sentence. boldly took a penalty drop, was disgraceful what went renowned for its harsh
in the singles lineup, leav- "Team USA will be better for chipped to 7 feet and on. I made that clear. I fans even before the flags
ing Europe needing only it. We'll figure it out." made the par for the full needed to calm myself of two continents are in-
a half-point to reaching Johnson is sure to face scru- point. down because I could volved. McIlroy led a cho-
the winning total. Tommy tiny for his six picks, leading Homa was a rare bright have let it bring me down rus of European players al-
Fleetwood delivered the to perceptions they were spot for the U.S. team, going the wrong path." McIlroy ready hopeful Donald will
clincher, hitting a signature as much about friendships 3-1-1 in his Ryder Cup de- said he has texted LaCa- return as captain.
shot on the signature hole as good form. The six picks but. The mettle came from va, who previously worked "I think one of the big-
at Marco Simone — a drive combined to go 4-12-4 for Patrick Cantlay, whose hat for Tiger Woods, and they gest accomplishments
to 25 feet on the reachable the week. Whether it would led to the only real drama would move on from that. in golf right now is win-
16th against Rickie Fowler. have mattered is hard to at Marco Simone, and led Europe went into the sin- ning an away Ryder Cup,"
Fowler, now with a 1-8-5 tell. to more anger than McIlroy gles session knowing no McIlroy said. "And that's
road record in the Ryder Europe has the magic has experienced in these team had ever come back what we're going to do at
Cup, hit into the water and touch in these matches. tense matches. from a five-point deficit on Bethpage."q