Europe have extended their Ryder Cup lead over USA to 9.5-2.5 after Saturday's foursomes, a session that included a record-breaking performance from Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.
After establishing a 6.5-1.5 advantage after day one, there was talk of the American camp being hindered by illness, reports that were later confirmed by captain Zach Johnson.
However, Europe showed no mercy on Saturday morning, prevailing in three of the foursomes to move within five points of reclaiming the trophy at The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
The tone was set from the start, with the opening two pairings winning each of the first three holes - Hovland and Aberg going one better in their match with Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka.
There was a ruthlessness about the Scandinavian pair that has never been seen at a Ryder Cup with nine of the 11 holes being won to post a 9&7 triumph, the biggest-ever margin in the history of the competition.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood did not have things their own way, though, with Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas valiantly fighting back and then staying in touch.
"McIlroy and Fleetwood DEFEAT Thomas and Spieth!" 🇪🇺✅ pic.twitter.com/Y5f94TpqOj
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 30, 2023
Spieth, in particular, made notable nerveless putts, but the pivotal moment came on 15 as McIlroy holed a long putt to re-establish a two-shot lead with three to play.
Although their opponents replied on the 16th, a poor tee shot on 17 from Thomas led to a par being enough for McIlroy and Fleetwood, the former holing a mid-range putt to seal a 2&1 win.
Before that win, USA had finally got their first success of the 2023 edition on the board through Max Homa and Brian Harman, who delivered a 4&2 triumph over Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka.
In sharp contrast to the other matches, the European pair were never in front and had to battle hard to stay level, before a run of three successive holes for the Americans between 10 and 12 helped them to a relatively comfortable victory.
Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele also did themselves justice against Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, rallying from three down to get back on level terms by the 14th hole.
Nevertheless, Rahm and Hatton responded by taking the 16th and 17th, with a dart being sent into the latter Par Three and the Americans failing to post a birdie, leaving Europe ever closer to a one-sided triumph with two sessions still remaining.
Darren Plant
