US golfer, Max Homa plays off the 13th tee during his foursomes match on the second day of play in the 44th Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome on September 30, 2023. (Photo by Paul Ellis / AFP)
The U.S. side finally won a full point. Brian Harman and Max Homa teamed to win 4-and-2 over Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka.
They did so with the first bit of swagger from the American side as Homa chipped in for eagle at 16 and before the ball had even dropped into the cup, he had lifted his cap and was hugging his partner.
Harman and Homa made four birdies and an eagle at 12 to open a 3-up lead and prevent the U.S. from being swept in foursomes for the second straight day.
“Someone had to create a spark and I’m glad it was us,” Homa said.
Harman and Homa never trailed in their match. On three occasions on the front nine, they pulled ahead 1 up only to have the Euros win a hole to tie it again. But the American side heated up on the back nine, making three birdies and an eagle beginning at 10 to pull ahead. They played the last seven holes in 7 under in the alternate-shot format. Impressive, indeed.
“They were unbelievably good today and sometimes you just run into guys that are better than you,” Straka said.
Harman and Homa were the lone bright spot on another dismal day for the Americans and their victory ensured that the Ryder Cup wouldn’t be mathematically over on Saturday.
First win on the board.@maxhoma | #RyderCup | #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/9BmbSVaLvx
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 30, 2023