Although the Ryder Cup squad from Europe is renowned for its excellent efficiency and data-driven analysis, it also has the good sense to not minimize golf’s spiritual component. This is the motivation behind all the motivational movies and thoughtful acts made to cement the relationships between the current team and its predecessors.
It is simple to brush off this sentimentality in a game that, at its core, is defined by the purpose, such as the locker designated for Seve Ballesteros in this year’s European team room. Then again, there are incidents like the one that occurred on Friday on the 18th hole of Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. Three shots changed the course of the Ryder Cup and gave Europe a record advantage just as it appeared the lead they had created with their dominance earlier in the day was about to take a severe hit.
Europe salvaged a draw in three of the four Four-ball matches on Friday by posting two birdies and an eagle on Marco Simone’s 18th hole. By the end of the day, Europe had a 6.5 to 1.5 advantage, which tied the record for the biggest lead after the opening day of the Ryder Cup. While Justin Rose, the team’s shrewd veteran, tucked it close on the par 5 before sinking a 9-foot birdie putt as the penultimate shot of the day, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland hit lengthy, curling putts.
“What we did when we were down 18 really demonstrates the tenacity, fortitude, and endurance of our squad. They persisted in their efforts and remained a team till the very end, never giving up,” stated European Captain Luke Donald.
Rose yelled “You!” to each of his teammates as he extended his index finger in a celebratory gesture after making the putt. It emphasized the European team’s philosophy. Rose was aware of the stroke’s importance, but he also understood that it was his European teammates who had made this momentous occasion possible.
“We are all entangled in this. 10 people were willing the put in behind me, which is what made it possible for me to make. Yes, it is for them as well.” Rose said.
Another iconic moment in Rose’s lengthy Ryder Cup career brought to mind the 10-footer he made to defeat Phil Mickelson in the Singles match at the “Miracle at Medinah” in 2012. On a European team that is missing several players who made up its core during the past 20 years, Rose, 43, is playing with new teammates. The only member of this European team with whom Rose has previously competed in numerous Ryder Cups is Rory McIlroy.
But as Rahm’s rookie teammate had previously motivated him by evoking the memory of the patriarch for this group of the continent’s top players, each new face that enters Europe’s locker room rapidly becomes ingrained in the team’s ethos.
Nicolai Højgaard asked the question “What would Seve do?” before Rahm slammed his 30-foot eagle putt into the hole, his ball bounced off the lip, went airborne, and then landed in the hole.
“I’m delighted it went in even though I’m not sure he could have fully made it that way,” Rahm said.
Europe swept the four Foursomes matches in the morning session, but it appeared the United States was going to get closer in the afternoon. This is the first time the United States has gone a full day without winning a match. The U.S. had the advantage in the first three matches of the session as they stood on the 16th tee. They lost each of the games.
One of the most enduring American teams, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were where it all began. Surprisingly, they chose to skip the first session, but Spieth’s eagle on the 13th par-3 put them ahead in the first match of the second session. Thomas faced a birdie putt of a similar length on the final hole, presumably to win the hole after neither of his competitors could hit their third shots close on the par 5. The match was tied, however, after Thomas missed a 6-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole. Hovland’s 25-foot birdie putt, though, eventually rolled up a ridge, slowed down, and made one last turn into the hole. The most Thomas could manage on the final hole was to tie it and the whole match.
“To sink putts like Viktor, Jon, and Rosey did at the very end is a great accomplishment. At one point, the United States appeared to be winning 3-1. It’s an incredible achievement on the part of my boys to have won that session when it appeared like (the U.S. would win) 3-1.” Donald said.
The afternoon’s other match saw Europe’s McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick win 5-and-3. Rahm’s eagle and Rose’s birdie from 125 yards also meant their matches ended in ties.
The home club, which is attempting to continue a three-decade-long winning streak at home, couldn’t have asked for a better way to close the day. Europe returned the favor Friday with its own remarkable performance after losing the Ryder Cup by 10 points two years prior.
Speakers blared Queen’s “We Will Rock You” as the sun set over Marco Simone and spectators poured off the course.
