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Europe surge to seven-point lead after 3-1 foursomes win – ARN News Centre
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PAUL ELLIS/ AFP
Inspired by a Ryder Cup record 9&7 victory for Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg and another point for on-song “Fleetwood Mac”, Europe moved closer to a huge victory as they beat the U.S. 3-1 in the foursomes to open a massive 9-1/2-2-1/2 lead on Saturday.
Europe, seeking to extend their 30-year unbeaten home record, looked out of sight going into the fourballs, with timing fast running out for the stunned Americans.
None were more shellshocked than heavyweight duo Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka, a combination of the world number one and a five-time major winner, who were blown away by the in-form Norwegian Hovland and 23-year-old Swede Aberg, who turned professional only in June.
Their victory surpassed the previous 7&6 record margin for a foursomes that had been achieved three times and the only bigger individual match wins came in the old 36-hole contests.
Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy – dubbed Fleetwood Mac – looked as if they were going to do something similar as they won the first three holes in the first match out.
However, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, one of the Americans’ most productive partnerships in recent years, fought back strongly, only to be eventually dispatched 2&1 on the 17th.
Max Homa and Brian Harman finally claimed the States’ first win of the competition when they beat Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka 4&2, but Europe finished on top when Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton beat Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele on the 17th having never trailed.
“I don’t think we could have done better,” Hovland said after a round with Aberg that looked for the pair like a fun day out with friends.
“We have the same humour, same culture. He doesn’t miss a shot. It’s easy when I’m playing well and he’s playing well.”
Conversely Scheffler and Koepka played horribly, barely finding a fairway, and the former was in tears as he left the course. Both were left out of the afternoon fourballs.
In 2021 it was McIlroy crying as Europe were blown away 19-9 and he said memories of that were in his mind as he chalked up his third win from three matches in Rome.
“I have been waiting for this opportunity for two years,” he said. “Whistling Straits was a disappointment and I wanted to put it right and redeem myself a little bit. I have been able to do that over the first day and a half and now I have the opportunity to try and go unbeaten for the week.
“I’m in a position where I can see the finish line. I just have to go out and do what I’m doing and hopefully the putts drop an can keep putting blue on the board.”
European captain Luke Donald opted to use the same four pairings who swept a 4-0 victory in Friday’s opening foursomes, though he did change the order.
On Friday, Spaniard Rahm finished with two eagles on the last two holes to win his fourballs and on Saturday, with seemingly the entire 45,000 crowd squeezed around the 17th, he effectively settled a tense match by almost scoring a hole in one.
“He’s like a walking highlights reel,” said partner Hatton.
Europe head into the fourballs and Sunday’s singles needing five of the 16 available points to extend their incredible home record.
It would need an all-time Ryder Cup record comeback for the US to turn things round but Homa, who was a rare bright spark on Saturday, was not giving it up.
“We know how good we are,” he said. “We obviously are in a big hole but we have the right guys to dig ourselves out of it.”
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Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu produced a brilliant final-round victory to win Norway Chess 2026, capping a dramatic finish to one of the year’s most prestigious tournaments.
Entering the final day half a point behind leader Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa knew only a win would give him a realistic chance of claiming the title. The 19-year-old delivered under pressure, defeating Vincent Keymer with the white pieces to secure the full three points and surge to first place.
The victory lifted Praggnanandhaa to 18 points, enough to overtake Wesley So and clinch the Norway Chess crown in Oslo.
So, who had led the standings heading into the final round, drew his classical game against Alireza Firouzja before winning the Armageddon tiebreak. However, the extra points were not enough to keep him ahead of the charging Indian grandmaster.
Firouzja completed a strong campaign to finish third overall.
Elsewhere, world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen signed off in style with a classical victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju, delighting home fans with a final-round win.
Final Standings
- Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu – 18 points
- Wesley So – 17 points
- Alireza Firouzja – 15.5 points
Assaubayeva dominates women’s event
In the Norway Chess Women’s tournament, Bibisara Assaubayeva completed a dominant campaign to secure the title after having already wrapped up first place with a round to spare.
The final day featured three decisive classical games, eliminating the need for Armageddon tiebreaks.
Women’s world champion Ju Wenjun handed Assaubayeva her first classical defeat of the tournament, while Zhu Jiner defeated Humpy Koneru to secure second place overall. Anna Muzychuk also ended her campaign on a high note with a victory over Divya Deshmukh to finish third.
Norway Chess women’s final standings
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – 16.5 points
- Zhu Jiner – 16 points
- Anna Muzychuk – 15 points
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph marks another major milestone in the young Indian grandmaster’s rapidly rising career and further strengthens India’s growing influence at the highest level of world chess.
The battle for the Norway Chess 2026 title is set for a thrilling finish after a dramatic Round 9 left three players firmly in contention heading into the final day in Oslo.
Tournament leader Wesley So maintained his narrow advantage after drawing his classical game against Magnus Carlsen before winning the Armageddon tiebreak to secure valuable extra points.
The standout result of the day came from Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, who defeated reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju with the black pieces. The victory earned Praggnanandhaa three points and moved him to within half a point of the tournament lead.
Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja kept his championship hopes alive by overcoming Vincent Keymer in Armageddon after their classical game ended in a draw.
With one round remaining, Wesley So leads the standings on 15.5 points, followed by Praggnanandhaa on 15 points and Firouzja on 14.5 points, setting up a nail-biting conclusion to the tournament.
Assaubayeva seals women’s title
In the women’s competition, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the Norway Chess Women 2026 title with a round to spare.
Assaubayeva drew her classical game against Anna Muzychuk, who later claimed the Armageddon win. However, the result was enough to guarantee Assaubayeva an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The only decisive classical result in the women’s event came from Zhu Jiner, who defeated Divya Deshmukh to move into second place.
Elsewhere, Humpy Koneru and Ju Wenjun drew their classical encounter before Ju Wenjun claimed the Armageddon victory.
After Round 9, Assaubayeva tops the women’s standings with 16.5 points, ahead of Zhu Jiner on 13 points and Anna Muzychuk on 12 points.
Praggnanandhaa wins Norway Chess 2026 title after stunning comeback
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