The home side never trailed at any point in all four matches.

The lead was soon doubled as Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg enjoyed victory.

One fan shouted “you stink Scottie” as the American took his first shot on the opening hole in Rome.

He chipped in from the fringe to birdie the first.

Scottie Scheffler hits the first ball of the 2023 Ryder Cup in front of packed stands.

Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka are be in action for Europe in the morning foursomes.

A casual golf fan could be forgiven for not knowing a whole lot about Ludvig Åberg, especially when you consider that even the most die-hard followers of the sport would admit his expected rise has come slightly sooner than expected.

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will kick-off Europe’s campaign in the early hours of Friday morning.

The record 19-9 defeat by the United States at Whistling Straits was a humbling experience.

The world number four – at the second attempt – produced a hole-in-one the day before the tournament gets under way.

The biennial contest begins in Rome.

McIlroy is making his seventh Ryder Cup appearance in Rome.

The tactic of having messages from family relayed in meetings during the build-up has been well used in the past by both sides.

The Swede is one of four rookies in a fresh-faced European side vying for revenge in the Italian capital.

Thomas Bjorn vowed to get a tattoo if Europe beat the United States in 2018, and followed through on his word three months later.

America are the defending champions after a record-breaking 19-9 win at Whistling Straits two years ago.

Straka claimed his second PGA Tour title in the John Deere Classic in July and two weeks later finished joint second in the Open.

The home favourite claimed her fourth win from four matches.

Both sides won two of the Saturday morning foursomes before the home side took the fourballs session 3-1.

The opening foursomes at Finca Cortesin on Saturday provided plenty of drama.