Europe have stormed into a 4-0 lead over USA in the Ryder Cup after dominating Friday's foursomes at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club.
Luke Donald opted to go off strong with Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton and the European duo never looked back, winning holes three, five and seven to reach the turn 2UP.
Further wins at the 11th and 12th effectively left a below-par Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns out of contention and a 4&3 victory was soon wrapped up.
Viktor Hovland and rookie Ludvig Aberg prevailed by the same scoreline, although the Scandinavian pair had to work a little harder than the more experienced players in front of them.
WOW!
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 29, 2023
That's a beauty from Viktor Hovland 😍 pic.twitter.com/tfrqrhgiG6
Max Homa and Brian Harman responded well to Hovland's chip-in at the first, getting back to level by the fourth, but they would not win another hole as Europe won the fifth, sixth, ninth and 14th holes.
In the third match, Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka made a blistering start - taking five of the first nine holes - but they had to withstand a fightback from Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa.
The Americans took holes 10, 13 and 16 to remain competitive and after Fowler narrowly missed from the bunker on 17 for a birdie, Straka holed out from four feet for a 2&1 win.
Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood brought up the rear, holding a lead from the fourth hole onwards before also having to hold off Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
On the 15th, the Americans were in a dominant position to tie things up, only to three putt after watching Fleetwood hole a long putt for par.
Although Schauffele responded with a birdie at the 16th, he and Cantlay watched McIlroy send a dart into the Par 3 17th hole, leaving it two feet away and Schauffele going to miss his birdie putt, giving Fleetwood the chance to convert for a 2&1 triumph.
Darren Plant
