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☆ Fittingly fraught finale for fantastic World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

World Rugby addressed that with a major overhaul of the calendar they described as "the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional" but those long-suffering countries are going to have to suffer for a few years yet before they start to feel the benefits. Elsewhere, England overcame a terrible build-up to win all their pool games and Fiji shocked Australia to go through alongside Wales. FABULOUS BRANDFiji's final pool game against Portugal was one of the best seen at a World Cup, with the Portuguese playing a fabulous brand of all-court rugby reminiscent of France at their pomp. Amid emotional scenes and roared on by neutrals the world over, they secured their first-ever World Cup victory in the last minute, with Fiji scraping through via their losing bonus point. Wales will forever rue their missed chances in the first of them against Argentina before Ireland and New Zealand produced an absolute classic.

Persons: Denis, Mbonambi, Webb Ellis, Sarah Meyssonnier, agonising, England's, Owen Farrell's, Antoine Dupont, Handre, Sam Cane, Mitch Phillips, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, Two Nations, New Zealand, Ireland, South, Fiji, Wales, Portugal, Argentina, England, Pumas, Springboks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Portugal, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Portuguese, Fiji, Marseille, Paris, New Zealand, Argentina, New

☆ England claim bronze but need more to challenge the elite
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Oct 28 (Reuters) - From where they were at the end of their dismal warm-ups, England's World Cup was an unqualified success and they were within three minutes of one of the great sporting turnarounds. They arrived amid the gloom of five defeats in six games but finished on a high with six wins out of seven. The skewed nature of the draw obviously favoured them, and reaching the semi-finals looked possible and even probable regardless of their form based on their World Cup history and the quality of players in the squad. Already assured of top spot in their group, England laboured against Samoa before snatching a late victory. "I always believed we would be right... We were clear that the World Cup isn't played in August," he said after clinching third place.

Persons: Tom Curry, George Ford, Henry Arundell, Marcus Smith, Owen Farrell's, Dan Cole, Joe Marler, Steve Borthwick's, Ben Earls, Borthwick, hasn't, Eddie Jones, isn't, Hooker Theo Dan, Mitch Phillips, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Japan, Samoa, Fiji, Springbok, South Africa, Argentina, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: France, Argentina, England, Marseille, Chile, South Africa

☆ Different feel as England Argentina meet again in bronze final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Of course the one that spoiled that streak was the agonising one-point semi-final defeat by South Africa, but it is still an England team unrecognisable in confidence and execution from the one that endured a dismal August warm-up campaign. England eventually advanced as pool winners, then beat Fiji before their Springbok loss, while Argentina improved to beat Japan to clinch second place then see off Wales in the quarter-final. Borthwick and Pumas coach Michael Cheika followed their defeats by immediately stressing that they were treating the bronze final as a match they were taking very seriously. "Winning the bronze medal is very important for the future and the legacy of the most experienced players. England have also won all four of the teams' pool clashes at the World Cup.

Persons: Steve Borthwick, Tom Curry, flyhalf George Ford, Ford banged, Michael Cheika, Borthwick, Cheika, Owen Farrell, Ford, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell, Freddie Steward, Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo, Agustin Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Matias Moroni, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ollie Chessum, Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlum, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: England, Rugby, Fiji, Springbok, Japan, Borthwick, Pumas, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: Argentina, South Africa, England, Marseille, Wales, New Zealand, flyhalf

☆ World Cup braced for second superpower showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means that should they triumph on Saturday they will have an incredible 50% success rate - four finals from eight tournaments. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987 then became the first to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015 - an achievement defending champions South Africa are also desperate to emulate. Their previous final meeting was in 1995, the first World Cup South Africa were allowed into. At the other end of the experience spectrum is winger Will Jordan, whose eight tries in France equal the tournament best. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Handre Pollard, Ian Foster, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, Ardie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Damian Willemse, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Wayne Barnes, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, New Zealand, South, France, England, Twickenham, Zealand, Blacks, Ireland, Webb, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, England, flyhalf, Argentina, Ireland, France, Zealand, Brown

☆ Online abuse of Curry unacceptable, says Farrell
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - England flanker Tom Curry has been on the receiving end of relentless online abuse this week and captain Owen Farrell, usually a player who says the minimum in his media dealings, took to the microphone on Wednesday to say it was unacceptable. "What isn't understandable is the amount of abuse he's got," Farrell said in press conference ahead of Friday's bronze final against Argentina. But that is Tom Curry. "This is not a Tom Curry incident - someone has said something in the game that he has reported and he is getting on with preparing. This is a World Rugby and SA Rugby matter to deal with."

Persons: Tom Curry, Owen Farrell, Curry, Bongi Mbonambi, he's, Farrell, it's, we've, Tom, It's, Steve Borthwick, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: World Rugby, South Africa Rugby, New Zealand, Argentina, Rugby, SA Rugby, Curry's, Sharks, Thomson Locations: England

☆ New look for England as Arundell, Steward and Smith start v Argentina
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Tom Curry, who will win his 50th cap, moves to the blindside to reprise the successful back row partnership from the 2019 tournament, with Ben Earl at number eight. Scrumhalf Ben Youngs starts his first game of the tournament to extend his caps record to 127, with captain Owen Farrell at flyhalf. Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford and Ollie Lawrence are on the bench. The teams met on the opening weekend of the tournament in Marseille, when England won 27-10 despite having Curry sent off after three minutes. England have also won all four of the teams' pool clashes at the World Cup.

Persons: Henry Arundell, Freddie Steward, Marcus Smith, Steve Borthwick, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Theo Dan, Ollie Chessum, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Scrumhalf Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Borthwick, Smith, Arundell, Steward, Curry, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlum, Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: England, Argentina, South, openside, Springboks, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: South Africa, flyhalf, Paris, Chile, Marseille, England

☆ World Cup expands to 24 teams amid radical new calendar
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The 2027 World Cup in Australia will expand from the current 20 to 24 teams, split into six first-round groups containing four sides each. LATER DRAWWR said the draw for the next World Cup would be made in January 2026, the latest it has ever been held before a tournament. WR said they had addressed this by the introduction of a Nations League competition, with two 12-team divisions. There will be a second division with a further 12 teams, which will be run by World Rugby. There will also be a new, annual expanded Pacific Nations Cup competition in 2024 featuring Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and the United States.

Persons: ”, Sir Bill Beaumont, Beaumont, WR, Mitch Phillips, Mark Gleeson, Clare Fallon Organizations: Biennial Nations League, Rugby, Nations League, Six Nations, Rugby Championship, World Rugby, WR, Nations, Thomson Locations: PARIS, Paris, Australia, France, Japan, Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Tonga, United States

☆ Farrell kicks England into semis with classic win over Fiji
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant scored tries as England led 24-10 early in the second half on the back of their most impressive performance for years. However, in classic style, Fiji scored two tries in four minutes to change the mood, only for England, thanks to surging runs by outstanding number eight Ben Earl, to regain a lead they held on to in a dramatic finale. England reached their sixth World Cup semi-final and will go in search of a fifth final appearance when they meet France or South Africa. "There was obviously a spell where Fiji scored two back-to-back tries, which Fiji can do probably better than anyone else in the world. For most of the match, a fired-up England were unrecognisable from the team who looked so lacklustre against Samoa last week.

Persons: Farrell, Captain Owen Farrell, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant, Ben Earl, England, Steve Borthwick, Simon Raiwalui, Marchant, Viliame Mata, Peni Ravai, Vilimoni, Simione, Earl, Vilimoni Botitu, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Fiji, France, Islanders, Samoa, Twickenham, England, Blacks, Thomson Locations: South Africa MARSEILLE, France, England, South Africa, Fiji, Paris

☆ Irrepressible Earl drives England into World Cup last four
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MARSEILLE, France, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Owen Farrell was the official man of the match but not an England fan leaving the Marseille Velodrome is likely to have looked beyond Ben Earl for the outstanding player in England's 30-24 World Cup victory over Fiji on Sunday. "After we played Fiji at Twickenham we got told we wouldn't get out the group, but now we are in the semi-final, one of the best four teams in the competition. Jones preferred the bulk of Vunipola to the athleticism Earl brings to the role and Borthwick also took a while to be convinced. However, as a rare bright light in a dismal series of warm-up games the 25-year-old Earl forced his way into the starting team and has been superb at the World Cup. I don't like to pick out individuals after such a team effort today but he certainly played a big part."

Persons: Owen Farrell, Ben Earl, Farrell, Steve Borthwick, Billy Vunipola, I've, Earl, wouldn't, Eddie Jones, Jones, Borthwick, Saracen Farrell, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Marseille, Fiji, Sunday, Twickenham, Saracens, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, England, England's, Vunipola

☆ World Cup 2023 semi-finals: who will qualify?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 14 (Reuters) - The semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup will take place on Oct. 20-21 in France. They began the World Cup with a loss against England but recovered with wins over Samoa and Chile. In the semi-finals, Argentina will play on Friday Oct. 20 against New Zealand, who beat Ireland in the second quarter-final. In the semi-finals New Zealand will play on Friday Oct. 20 against Argentina, who beat Wales in the first quarter-final. The three kicking positions, all on the 22 metre line, are as follows:Position 1: directly in front of the posts;Position 2: on the 15 metre line on the left-hand side of the posts;Position 3: on the 15 metre line on the right-hand side of the posts.

Persons: Argentina William Hill, Hill, Camilla Borri, Alberto Chiumento, Luca Fratangelo, Alessandro Parodi, Mitch Phillips, Peter Rutherford, Ed Osmond, Ken Ferris, Toby Davis Organizations: Rugby, ARGENTINA, Wales, Japan, England, Samoa, New Zealand, Ireland, Argentina Argentina, Samoa Argentina, Argentina Wales, ZEALAND New Zealand, Blacks, Zealand, Argentina, Zealand New, Namibia New, Italy New Zealand, Uruguay Ireland, Thomson Locations: France, ARGENTINA Argentina, Argentina, Chile, Chile Japan, Namibia, Italy, Uruguay, Zealand New Zealand, Namibia New Zealand

☆ Fiji expect Matavesi to face England after father's death
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MARSEILLE, France, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Fiji expect hooker Sam Matavesi to play in Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against England after he travelled back to England, where he lives and plays in the Premiership, after the death of his father, Sireli, earlier this week. Sireli Matavesi moved to Cornwall after touring there in 1987. "It is with heavy hearts that The Fiji Rugby Union, The Flying Fijians Team and Head Coach Simon Raiwalui share the news of our hooker Sam Matavesi and former Flying Fijian Josh Matavesi, who have lost their beloved father, the late Sireli Matavesi," the union said in a statement on Wednesday. "Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Matavesi family during this incredibly difficult time. Sam Matavesi travelled to Cornwall to spend time with his family but the Fiji camp say he is expected to be able to play in Marseille on Sunday.

Persons: Sam Matavesi, Sireli, Sireli Matavesi, Simon Raiwalui, Josh Matavesi, Matavesi, Sam, Josh, Josua, Tito, Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu, Raiwalui, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: England, Fiji Rugby Union, The Flying Fijians, Flying, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Fiji, England, Cornwall, Marseille

☆ England set to drop Ford, start Smith at fullback in Fiji quarter-final
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MARSEILLE, France, Oct 12 (Reuters) - England coach Steve Borthwick looks set to make radical changes for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Fiji by dropping George Ford and starting Marcus Smith at fullback, strengthening his midfield defence and injecting some energy into the attack. However, while his defence and aerial skills are superior to Smith's, Steward has shown little in attack - though he is far from alone there. Defence generally has not been the issue for England as they racked up four wins in a row. Before the Samoa game they had the best defence in the tournament and had conceded only one try. England have made the second-fewest carries (108.8) for the second-fewest metres (461.3), they rank sixth for defenders beaten (22.5) and last for offloads (5.8).

Persons: Steve Borthwick, George Ford, Marcus Smith, Borthwick, Ford, Owen Farrell, Smith, Freddie Steward, Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Joe Marchant, Elliot Daly, Henry Arundell, Jamie George, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Fiji, Harlequins, Samoa, Fijians, Defence, England, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, England, Chile, Samoa, Portugal

☆ We will be different team against Fiji, says England's George
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Last weekend wasn't good enough, it was poor, but we have had a really good open and honest review," George told reporters. You'll see a very different England team on Sunday." George, a British and Irish Lion and veteran of many big games with Saracens, said the England team were embracing the occasion as they seek to improve on their run to the final four years ago. Fiji have improved their all-round game, particularly the scrum, but their lineout still looks vulnerable and is an area England expect to dominate. "The way Portugal targeted their line-out was something that was very interesting and especially how they go about it," George said.

Persons: Jamie George, George, Danny Care, George Kruis, Steve Borthwick, Elliot Daly, we’ve, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Samoa, Fiji, Irish Lion, Saracens, England, Twickenham, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, British, Fiji, England, Portugal

☆ Ireland top for turnovers, Argentina have worst scrum
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Of the eight quarter-finalists, Ireland have won the most turnovers per game (5.3) and average less than 10 penalties per game (9.3) - ranking third. They have the second-best lineout success (91%), second-best tackle success and conceded the fewest penalties (eight). Their scrums had the second-worst success rate and they are fifth for lineout success, though they have made the most lineout steals (2.3). They are joint-worst with Fiji in turnovers conceded (17) and four out of 10 possessions end in an error. Traditional fans of Argentina will be horrified to see that they have worst scrum success (80%) and have won fewest turnovers but in attack they have the fastest average ruck speed (3.37 seconds) and the most rucks under two seconds (37%).

Persons: Mitch Phillips, Christian Radnedge Organizations: World Rugby, Ireland, New Zealand, Fiji, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Italy, Uruguay, Ireland, Argentina, Wales

☆ Nine-year-old sets parkrun age world record
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Nine-year-old Louis Robinett set a 5km parkrun world record for his age in Dorset, England on Saturday, finishing in 17 minutes, 40 seconds to better the previous mark set in California six years ago by 13 seconds. "I'm on top of the world right now, It's a huge deal to break a world record," Robinett told the BBC. "I couldn't have done it without the support of my family and the team at Poole Runners." Poole Runners said Robinett's record had raised the bar for youth athletes. "This isn't just a win for Louis, it's a new benchmark for youth sports, inspiring children all over the world to aim higher," the club said in a statement.

Persons: Louis Robinett, Dion Garner, Robinett, Poole, it's, Simon Jennings, Mitch Phillips Organizations: Poole Runners, BBC, Poole, Louis, Thomson Locations: Dorset, England, California, London, Bengaluru

☆ France-based Arundell can play in Six Nations, but not Willis: RFU
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Willis signed for Toulouse last November after Wasps collapsed but was allowed to play for England in this year's Six Nations. Willis left the England squad last week after a neck injury ended his World Cup. England's performance director Conor O’Shea said he hoped the situation with Arundell would be confirmed in the next few weeks. "They will only play for England while they are here (in camp)," he said. "It's the best for club, it's the best for country, it's the best for the player.

Persons: Henry Arundell, Bill Sweeney, Jack Willis, Arundell, Willis, couldn’t, England –, Sweeney, Henry, Conor O’Shea, Joe Marchant, Dave Ribbans, it's, O'Shea, Mitch Phillips, Peter Rutherford Organizations: England, Nations, French, Racing, London Irish, RFU, Irish, Wasps, Worcester, Samoa, Chile, Toulouse, Six Nations, Rugby Players, Association, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Toulouse, England

☆ Centenary World Cup will be utterly unrecognisable from 1930
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

In contrast to the little-noticed 1930 event, in 2030 billions of eyes, via technology unimaginable almost 100 years ago, will be focused on every minute of action. Instead of 13 teams, almost a quarter of the world's countries will be in action after the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams for 2026. For the modern fan it is almost impossible to visualise the 1930 World Cup. There was no qualification process for the 1930 tournament, instead the entire world was invited. Egypt were due to fly the flag for Africa but missed their connecting ship leaving an unwieldy 13 teams in the competition.

Persons: Jack Coll, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: Lille, Wednesday FIFA, Olympic, FIFA, Mexico, Argentine, Estadio Centenario, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Egypt, South America, Argentina, Paraguay, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, England, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Romania, Siam, Thailand, Japan, Africa, United States, U.S, Canada

☆ After Europe regain Ryder Cup in Rome, McIlroy targets 2025 win in US
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Golf - The 2023 Ryder Cup - Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy - October 1, 2023 Team Europe's Rory McIlroy celebrates with the trophy and teammates during the presentation after winning the Ryder Cup REUTERS/Phil Noble Acquire Licensing RightsOct 2 (Reuters) - The dust had barely settled on Europe's Ryder Cup victory over the United States on Sunday before Rory McIlroy set his sights on New York and winning the 2025 edition in hostile territory. Europe's defeat in 2021 left McIlroy in tears and the Northern Irishman shed more on Sunday, though this time for happier reasons. "So I've said this for the last probably six or seven years to anyone that will listen," McIlroy said. "I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. McIlroy paid tribute to the young guns in Europe's team and said they had a bright future in the biennial team competition.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, Rory McIlroy, Phil Noble, McIlroy, I've, Ludvig, I'm, Captain Luke Donald, Donald, Martyn Herman, Mitch Phillips, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Country Club, Ryder, REUTERS, Europe's, New York, Whistling, U.S, Bethpage, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, United States, New, Whistling Straits, Europe, Bethpage, Illinois, Bengaluru

☆ Our camaraderie was strong, say beaten Americans
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

However, they showed admirable fight and no little spirit in Sunday's singles before slipping to a 16-1/2-11-1/2 defeat. "I said it before the event, I thought this was the closest team that I think I've been on," Koepka told a press conference. There's usually a couple misfits or people that just aren't a part of the team, but we all were one. "The loss has absolutely nothing to do with team camaraderie because this is probably the closest team I've ever been a part of." "My overwhelming feeling is pride - pride in these guys," he said.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, USA's Brooks, Carl Recine, LIV, Brooks, Koepka, We've, Justin Thomas, I've, Zach Johnson, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Country Club, REUTERS, Rights, Ryder, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, United States, Europe

☆ Fleetwood secures Ryder Cup for Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Golf - The 2023 Ryder Cup - Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy - October 1, 2023 Team Europe's Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the 1st hole during the Singles REUTERS/Yara Nardi Acquire Licensing RightsROME, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Tommy Fleetwood secured the Ryder Cup for Europe on Sunday when he was guaranteed at least half a point in his match against Rickie Fowler that took the hosts to the 14-1/2 target they needed to regain the trophy. Europe needed four points from Sunday's 12 singles to continue their incredible 30-year unbeaten home and wins for Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and a half for Jon Rahm took them to 14 points. Fleetwood hit a brilliant tee shot on the 16th and after sending his eagle putt close, Fowler conceded the remaining four-footer to leave the Englishman two up with two to play and guaranteed at least the half point Europe needed. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, Tommy Fleetwood, Yara, Rickie Fowler, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm, Fleetwood, Fowler, Mitch Phillips, Ed Osmond Organizations: Country Club, REUTERS, Rights, Ryder, Europe, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Europe

☆ Players would pay to play in Ryder Cup, says Johnson
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The Ryder Cup represents true sport. His U.S. counterpart Zach Johnson said: "When it comes to the dollar sign, I don't mean to sound cliched, but the Ryder Cup is about more than any of that. "I would say if there's anything that deals with money, there are guys that would pay to play in this. The PGA of America also diverts 20 percent of Ryder Cup media rights fees to their players’ deferred compensation plans. On the European side, DP World Tour said some of the Ryder Cup profits were put towards developing grassroots golf projects around the continent, with input from past and present players.

Persons: Patrick Cantlay, Luke Donald, Zach Johnson, Tiger Woods, David Duval, Jim Furyk, Duval, Mitch Phillips, Clare Fallon Organizations: U.S, Ryder, PGA, America, Thomson Locations: Rome

☆ "Fleetwood Mac" on fire as Europe calls the early tune
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ROME, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Europe picked up just where they left off by storming into an early lead in the Ryder Cup foursomes on Saturday, with crowd favourites Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy - dubbed Fleetwood Mac - winning the first three holes of the first match. He did shuffle the order slightly, sending McIlroy, who won both his Friday matches, and Fleetwood out first, perhaps as part of a strategy to get the crowd firing early on, and how it paid off. However, they were horribly off-beam early on as Fleetwood’s 35ft (11 m) putt on the second ignited the crowd. "He was the ultimate European Ryder Cup player who made everyone else play better. We always respect Seve and he is a big part of the Ryder Cup for all of us.

Persons: Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy, Fleetwood Mac, Luke Donald, McIlroy, Fleetwood, Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Seve Ballesteros’s, Javier, Donald, Seve, Mitch Phillips, Sonali Paul Organizations: European, Ryder, Thomson Locations: Europe, Spanish, U.S, Whistling Straits

☆ All change for fourballs as captains play everyone
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

American captain Zach Johnson, who is already coming in for social media criticism for holding back four major winners, sent them into action on a scorching day in Rome. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth will face Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton in the first game at 10.25GMT. Brooks Koepka gets his first outing alongside Scottie Scheffler against Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard while Wyndham Clark teams up with Max Homa against Bob MacIntyre and Justin Rose. The final match of the day sees Europe's Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick play Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, USA's Justin Thomas, Guglielmo Mangiapane, Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Nicolai Hojgaard, Wyndham Clark, Max Homa, Bob MacIntyre, Justin Rose, Europe's Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: Country Club, Rights, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Europe, United States

☆ Rahm and Hatton to launch Europe's Ryder Cup defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The morning lineup is completed by a European heavyweight pairing in Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood taking on Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. Captain Luke Donald has changed Europe's opening strategy as he bids to extend their 30-year unbeaten home run against the United States. The home side gets to choose whether to start Friday's first session with four foursomes or four fourballs matches, with the other format following in the afternoon session. Europe have started with fourballs since 1997 but Donald said he had flipped things round after "a deep dive into statistics of the team". Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jon Rahm, England's Tyrrell Hatton, Paul Childs, Tyrrell Hatton, Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, Max Homa, Brian Harman, Shane Lowry, Sepp Straka, Rickie Fowler, Collin Morikawa, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Captain Luke Donald, Friday's, Donald, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: BMW, Wentworth, Rights, Ryder, fourballs, Thomson Locations: Wentworth , Virginia Water, Britain, Friday's, United States, Europe

☆ Winning is all that counts at Ryder Cup, until it isn't
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Since the Ryder Cup began in 1927 there have been only two tied matches. There followed a series of terrifically close matches but only in 1989 at The Belfry did one finish level at 14-14 with Europe retaining the title having led 14-10 only to lose the last four singles. In cricket I think retaining the Ashes is a big thing. You have a completely new team, for instance, at the Solheim Cup, and they tied. Perhaps the best approach is that of US Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis, who reviewing the draw that was an effective defeat, decided to view it as a victory anyway.

Persons: Ryder, Marco Simone Golf, Zach Johnson, Phil Noble, Jack Nicklaus’s, Tony Jacklin’s, ”, “, ‘ jeez, Rory McIlroy, we’ve, Justin Rose, doesn’t, Max Homa, I've, I'm, Justin Thomas, Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, Stacy Lewis, Mitch Phillips, Toby Davis Organizations: Country Club, Ryder, Team USA, Rights, Solheim, Britain, Royal, U.S, Cricket, US Solheim, Europe, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, Spain, Europe, Britain, Ireland, Medinah, Toledo

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