Wedding bells for Cantlay and alarm bells for the Americans after another Ryder Cup loss in Europe

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Europe's English captain, Luke Donald lifts the trophy as European players, caddies and staff celebrate at the presentation ceremony following the final day of play in the 44th Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club on Sunday. (AFP)
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General view as fans wave their hats at capless Team USA's Patrick Cantlay during the Ryder Cup singles matches Sunday. (Reuters)
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Updated 02 October 2023
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Wedding bells for Cantlay and alarm bells for the Americans after another Ryder Cup loss in Europe

  • Europe’s win streak at home in golf’s biggest team event will now extend beyond three decades
  • Cantlay, who finished 2-2-0, had never seen Marco Simone until this week because he had a bachelor’s party planned well before Johnson decided on the dates for a team scouting trip

 GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy: Only one American truly had reason to celebrate after the Ryder Cup ended with another home win for Europe.

Patrick Cantlay is getting married Monday.

The rest of the US players were glum as could be as they sipped beers during the post-competition news conference Sunday. Europe’s win streak at home in golf’s biggest team event will now extend beyond three decades.

After getting swept for the first time in Friday’s opening session of foursomes — also failing to win a match on the first day for the first time — the Americans never recovered and were beaten 16½ to 11½ by a European team that got in front early at every opportunity and produced an array of shot-making that reverberated around the designed amphitheaters that so many holes resembled at Marco Simone.

“They just holed a lot more putts, a few more chip-ins,” Brooks Koepka said.

Zach Johnson’s six captain’s picks — Koepka, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler, Sam Burns and Justin Thomas — combined to win four matches.

Fowler’s record in road Ryder Cups fell to 1-8-5.

Cantlay, who finished 2-2-0, had never seen Marco Simone until this week because he had a bachelor’s party planned well before Johnson decided on the dates for a team scouting trip that was held a few weeks ago.

Cantlay was asked by a British reporter if he didn’t wear a US team hat this week because he didn’t want to have a tan line on his head for his wedding.

“Well, I am getting married tomorrow, yes. I’m very excited about that,” Cantlay said, sparking Johnson and the other 11 players to bang the tables in front of them in celebration.

It was one of the few chances the Americans had to smile all week.

Moments earlier, Spieth had to put his arm around his captain when Johnson appeared on the verge of tears after addressing the spectators before the trophy presentation.

“Regret is a strong word, but I wish I would have done a better job,” Johnson said. “I don’t know what it looks like, never will, but it’s not a matter of anything other than Team Europe scored more points.”

On Saturday, there was an unsubstantiated report from Sky Sports — the broadcast partner for the European tour — that Cantlay caused a rift among the Americans by alleging that he thinks they should be paid at the Ryder Cup.

Cantlay denied the report and one American after another talked about what a great atmosphere there was within the team.

“Everybody gets along and everybody just is happy to be around each other,” Thomas said. “There’s usually a couple misfits or people that just aren’t a part of the team, but we all were one.”

Even Koepka, the only US player selected from Saudi-backed LIV Golf, was on board.

“It was exciting to see everybody,” Koepka said. “I felt like had not seen the guys in a few months.”

Rookie Max Homa accounted for the most US points with 3½.

Homa momentarily delayed the Europeans’ celebration when he overcame a penalty drop on 18 to win his match against Matt Fitzpatrick, who had a chance to clinch it.

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler produced just one point. But he halved the opening singles match with Jon Rahm after he and Koepka were routed by 9 and 7 a day earlier by Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg — for a record loss in any format in the Ryder Cup — after only 11 holes of his foursomes match with Koepka. That left Scheffler in tears.

“I was emotional after the round because I care a lot about this tournament. … These team events are tough to beat,” Scheffler said. “This felt like the closest group of guys that we’ve had. And at the time I felt like I was letting these guys down.

“After finishing on 11 yesterday, I had plenty of time to rest and get ready for this morning.”

Most of the Americans had not played for more than a month entering the Ryder Cup, with the PGA Tour schedule ending before Labor Day.

“Give us a week after the Tour Championship, or two weeks after, and then go, instead of five,” Spieth said.

After hosting the next Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, the Americans’ next chance to win on the road will come in 2027 at Adare Manor in Ireland.

“Four years from now,” Johnson said, “hopefully we’ll implement a better process certainly than I did.”


Race to Dubai leader Schaper chases third consecutive victory at Dubai Invitational

Updated 14 January 2026
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Race to Dubai leader Schaper chases third consecutive victory at Dubai Invitational

  • Schaper joins a field that includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood and 5-time Major champion Rory McIlroy

DUBAI: Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper will look to maintain his sensational early-season form when he competes at the Dubai Invitational from Jan. 15 to 18.

The 24-year-old South African is riding high after a spectacular Opening Swing that yielded back-to-back victories and propelled him to the summit of the 2026 rankings.

Schaper’s breakthrough came at the Alfred Dunhill Championship on home soil, where he captured his maiden DP World Tour title in a thrilling play-off victory over defending champion Shaun Norris.

A chip-in birdie at the 16th and an eagle at the first extra hole sealed a memorable win that ended years of knocking on the door.

Just one week later, he demonstrated remarkable composure to defend his play-off crown at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, holing out for eagle on the second extra hole to defeat American Ryan Gerard.

“Obviously I had such a good finish to the year in 2025 — having a win back home with the family watching and then going down to Mauritius and having just another incredible week,” said Schaper.

“I’m just looking forward to the start of this run now, as the Desert Swing is always one of my favorites of the year. The weather is good and the golf courses are always perfect — it’s such an awesome place to be.”

Across three appearances during the Opening Swing, Schaper won twice and finished runner-up at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in honor of Gary Player, amassing 1,348 points to dominate the season’s opening phase.

His Opening Swing triumph secured him entry into the Hero Dubai Desert Classic — the first of five Rolex Series events — and all of the DP World Tour’s Back 9 events, along with a $200,000 bonus.

The rapid ascent comes on the back of a consistent 2025 campaign where he collected nine top-10 finishes from 27 starts, establishing himself as one of the Tour’s most promising talents.

“It’s a massive boost (the back-end of 2025),” said Schaper.

“I think it’s more the belief. I’ve been out on Tour for a few years now, and to get your first win is a massive bonus. But to wait five years for your first win and then get your second the week after is such a special feeling.

“Obviously both wins came in a play-off. You always want to be in the play-off, but it’s a tougher way to win. So, it’s just a huge confidence boost to know that you belong out here.

For Schaper, the Dubai Invitational represents an opportunity to make it three wins and build momentum ahead of a season featuring a minimum of 42 tournaments in 25 countries.

“It’s my first time out there today and the course is really nice,” said Schaper.

“It’s got that desert feel, you’re kind of on the water and on the dunes — it’s really nice, I do enjoy it.

“Obviously when you come out here, you want to win every week, so that’s what we’ll try and do out here. It will be a nice boost to the season, so that’s the goal.”

The Dubai Invitational is the opening event on the Race to Dubai's International Swing and is played concurrently with a three-day Pro-Am team event, with Sunday featuring professionals only.

The bi-annual event consists of 60 professional DP World Tour golfers and 60 amateur golfers.

Schaper joins a field that includes defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, five-time Major champion Rory McIlroy, and Open champions Shane Lowry, Padraig Harrington and Francesco Molinari.

Also playing are multiple DP World Tour winners, including Ryan Fox and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen.