Jon Rahm dunked two eagles in the final three holes of his afternoon four-ball session, and Team Europe finished the first day of the 44th Ryder Cup with a commanding 6 1/2-1 1/2 lead over the United States team Friday near Rome.
The Spanish star teamed up with Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark to pull out a dramatic tie with Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka of the US after Team Europe dominated the morning foursomes matches and won all four points at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
The US team failed to win a single match on Friday. The Americans held leads in each of the first three afternoon matches and ceded draws in all three.
The second of Rahm's eagles fell mere minutes after Norwegian Viktor Hovland and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton rallied to tie Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. To end the day, Ryder Cup veteran Justin Rose of England won three of the final four holes himself, carrying Scottish debutant Robert MacIntyre to a tie with Max Homa and Wyndham Clark.
In the other afternoon match, Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Matt Fitzpatrick of England cruised to a 5-and-3 victory over Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele.
"It's a dream start for us," Team Europe captain Luke Donald said. "... Every match that came here to 18, we won. That could have been easily 3-1 to the US this afternoon and we actually ended up winning the session. Great heart, great fight from the guys."
Koepka rolled in a birdie at No. 15 to put the US team 1 up, but Rahm chipped in for eagle from off the green at the par-4 16th to draw level.
Scheffler's tee shot at the par-3 17th landed 6 feet away, and his birdie won the hole for the US But at the par-5 18th, both Scheffler and Koepka needed three shots to reach the green, while Rahm was faced with a 33-foot eagle putt up a slope.
Rahm's putt was tracking with enough speed that it bounced off the back of the hole and dropped straight in.
And Rahm's play was reminiscent of that of another Spaniard, the legendary Seve Ballesteros, who is with Team Europe in spirit this week. He appeared in eight Ryder Cups from 1979 to 1995 and had a career record of 20-12-5 with 22.5 points. Team Europe has an empty locker to honor Ballesteros, who died from a cancerous brain tumor in 2011 at 54.
"It's the intention of the moment, right, and then the fact that something happens is truly unique," Rahm said. "I've got to give Nicolai props because over here on 18, he gave me the freedom to basically go at it ... And he said, ‘What would Seve (Ballesteros) do? Do it for Seve.'"
It was one of three critical European putts in a short span at No 18.
Spieth and Thomas had birdied Nos. 12 and 13 for a 2-up lead. Hatton birdied Nos. 14 and 16 to draw even. At the 18th, Hovland sank an uphill birdie putt from 26 feet to ensure Europe would at least tie. Thomas, who had pitched onto the green to 6 feet, withstood the Europeans' celebration and made his birdie for the half-point.
Homa and Clark absorbed Rose's birdie at No. 15 and won the 16th hole to go 2 up with two to play. But neither could find the green at No. 17 and failed to make par. At the 18th, Homa narrowly missed a birdie from 12 1/2 feet, and Rose's 9-footer was center-cup.
The US team never even led any of the four morning matches, as Europe swept all four matches of a morning session for the first time in Ryder Cup history.
McIlroy and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood prevailed 2 and 1 over Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. The US team appeared ready to tie that match at the par-4 15th hole, but Fleetwood sank a 20-foot par putt and Schauffele shockingly missed a 5-footer to halve.
After Cantlay's first shot at No. 17 landed 20 feet away, McIlroy's sat still just 2 1/2 feet from the flagstick, earning a joyous celebration from the European crowd. Schauffele missed his putt and Fleetwood tapped in the easy birdie.
"I have hit a lot of good shots in my time. That's right up there," McIlroy said.
Schauffele and Cantlay were the United States' most daunting pairing. They entered Friday 5-0 as teammates in foursomes play.
Rahm and Hatton defeated Scheffler and Sam Burns, 4 and 3. Hovland and Ludvig Aberg of Sweden won four of their first six holes in beating Homa and Brian Harman, 4 and 3. And Irishman Shane Lowry and Austrian Sepp Straka were 4 up through nine holes en route to beating Rickie Fowler and Morikawa, 2 and 1.
The Americans are the defending champions but have not won a Ryder Cup played in Europe since 1993.
"You gotta look at it from this point of view: You got 28 points, eight are done, so we've got 20 more points (to play)," U.S. captain Zach Johnson said. "... Really, we've kinda just started the second quarter. Or you could argue you're on your fourth hole, however you look at it, fourth or fifth hole. A lot of golf left, a lot of opportunity left."
More from Janine di Giovanni
Specs – Taycan 4S
Engine: Electric
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 571bhp
Torque: 650Nm
Price: Dh431,800
Specs – Panamera
Engine: 3-litre V6 with 100kW electric motor
Transmission: 2-speed auto
Power: 455bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: from Dh431,800
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Babumoshai Bandookbaaz
Director: Kushan Nandy
Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami
Three stars
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2A)
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Look north
BBC business reporters, like a new raft of government officials, are being removed from the national and international hub of London and surely the quality of their work must suffer.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF Makerah, Adrie de Vries, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap | Dh80,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Hazeme, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
6.30pm: Handicap | Dh85,000 | 2,200m
Winner: AF Yatroq, Brett Doyle, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Shadwell Farm for Private Owners Handicap | Dh70,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Nawwaf KB, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh100,000 | 1,600m
Winner: Treasured Times, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
SPECS
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About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
SUZUME
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
