Ryder Cup 2023: Europe v USA, day two – live

“Forever in our hearts.” It’s tifo time, as the Italian fans in the stand at the first tee unfurl a spectacular large flag depicting the great Severiano Ballesteros. A touching moment. There’s another smaller handmade banner: “Do it for Seve.” Up the hole, Europe try their best to follow orders. Jordan Spieth can only lay up from out of the rough, while Tommy Fleetwood sends his second into the heart of the green. Justin Thomas needs to get close with his chip if he’s to put any pressure on Rory’s putt.

“HÚH! HÚH! HÚH!” Luke Donald leads the masses in a thunderous clap, then the players emerge from the tunnel. Wild cheers from Fleetwood Mc – they make golfing fun, after all – and pantomime boos for Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. Friendly handshakes and smiles, though when the pleasantries are over, there’s a definite look of steely determination in JT’s eyes. Perhaps a little bit of apprehension in there, too, because the USA really need to hit their straps hard this morning. It shows in his opening drive, which disappears into the thick rough down the right. Advantage Europe? Yes, but only because Rory McIlroy’s tee shot, sent towards the rough down the left, somehow sits up nicely. A big break for the home side.

Europe go into the second day of the 2023 Ryder Cup leading 6½-1½. They’ve only built such a lead on the opening day once before in tournament history, in 2004, and went on to win by a European record score of 18½-9½. The only time the USA have ever built such an opening-day lead, they went on to win 21-11 in 1975. So the predicament the Americans find themselves in isn’t unprecedented, but the omens don’t look good either. They’ve got the quality to fight their way out of this hole, of course … though Europe also have the quality to put more hurt on the holders. So much depends on this Saturday morning foursomes session, and here are the tee times for it (Europe first, all times BST).

6.35am: Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood v Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth
6.50am: Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg v Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka
7.05am: Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka v Max Homa and Brian Harman
7.20am: Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton v Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele

Once they’re out on the course, we’ll be about our business. It’s on!