Europe will take a five-shot lead into the singles at the Ryder Cup after USA restored some pride on Saturday afternoon.
The 2021 winners found themselves 9.5-2.5 adrift after the foursomes on day two, Europe taking three of the four matches.
However, USA responded to win three of the afternoon fourballs to remain competitive ahead of the final day, Europe now 10.5-5.5 to the good.
Sam Burns had been criticised for his display in the Friday foursomes, but he and Collin Morikawa dominated the previously-unbeaten pairing of Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.
Burns and Morikawa won seven of the opening 12 holes before eventually prevailing 4&3 over a pair that had defeated Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka 9&7 in the morning.
Max Homa and Brian Harman also held their nerve to come through 2&1 against Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard, withstanding their opponents taking holes 14 and 16 before getting over the line.
Before that result was confirmed, Europe posted a potentially-pivotal point through Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre, who overturned a deficit after eight holes to win 3&2 against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
The American team wave their hats at Patrick Cantlay after he birdies the last hole 👀🧢 pic.twitter.com/5CGNjPXLYj
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 30, 2023
Holes nine, 10, 13 and 14 were won by the former US Open champion and the Ryder Cup rookie, ensuring that Europe avoiding suffering a whitewash defeat in the session.
While that was not known at the time, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick went down to Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark, despite leading with four holes remaining.
Cantlay would hole decisive putts on 17 and 18 to instigate a turnaround late in the day in Rome, giving USA something to work with ahead of the 12 singles contests on Sunday.
Darren Plant
