Touching tribute
Golf star Jake Knapp has opened up about the heartbreaking death of his girlfriend Makena White.
Her sad passing at the age of 28 was confirmed yesterday.
Knapp told the Mail: “Makena was such a thoughtful person whose selflessness toward others is something I will always appreciate.
“We shared so many unforgettable memories together and now that she’s no longer with us, it’s a tough reality to comprehend.
“She had an incredible family, great friends, and her fun, outgoing energy will be missed by all of us.
“It’s an understatement to say how hard all of this is to process for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends, who deserve privacy and respect during this difficult time.”
Damming stats
Scottie Scheffler may dominate on the PGA Tour but it is again not translating to Ryder Cup joy for the world No1.
Scheffler’s foursomes loss alongside Russell Henley to Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fitzpatrick yesterday means he has been beaten in all three alternate shot matches he has played in.
And he has only won three of the 41 holes contested.
Scheffler followed that up with a fourball defeat to Jon Rahm and Sepp Straka to become just the third top-ranked player to lose twice on the opening day of a Ryder Cup.
Young’s dream debut
It was a day to forget for most Americans… but not rookie Cameron Young.
He made seven birdies in 13 holes alongside Justin Thomas in a 6&5 fourballs win over Ludvig Aberg and Rasmus Hojgaard yesterday.
It was a dream come true for the Ryder Cup debutant, who said: “I’ve been looking forward to this so much over the past few weeks and obviously much longer than that, ever since I got the call to be on the team.
“It’s a lot of emotions. It’s excitement. It’s some nerves.
“But I had a great partner to kind of walk me through the day, and thankfully we’ve played some good golf.”
‘I’ll never forget that’
Captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald have spoken Donald Trump’s attendance at Bethpage Black yesterday.
Bradley said “It was great. That was really a cool experience.
“Seeing an active president on the grounds of a Ryder Cup or at a golf event, what a cool thing.
“The flyover with Air Force One, I’ll never forget that the rest of my life. It was really cool.”
Donald added: “I saw Mr President and shook his hand and said hello, and he said, ‘You know what, you’re becoming a real great leader’.
“It was nice of him to say that.
“It was, again, nice of him to support this event.”
Rahm at his best
Luke Donald was full of praise for Jon Rahm after his two victories yesterday.
He said: “I don’t think Jon has lost in a team – in fourballs or foursomes – since Paris (in 2018).
“He’s an incredible leader for us on and off the course, mostly with the way he plays, a leader.
“I feel like he’s someone that wants to do a lot of his talking with his golf clubs.”
Coming up today
Saturday Foursomes:
7:10am US/12:10pm UK
Bryson DeChambeau/Cameron Young vs Matt Fitzpatrick/Ludvig Aberg
7:26am US/12:26pm UK
Harris English/Collin Morikawa vs Rory McIlroy/Tommy Fleetwood
7:42am US/12:42pm UK
Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay vs Jon Rahm/Tyrrell Hatton
7:58am US/12:58pm UK
Russell Henley/Scottie Scheffler vs Robert MacIntyre/Viktor Hovland
Saturday Fourball:
12:25pm US/17:25pm UK
Match 13
12:41pm US/17:41pm UK
Match 14
12:57pm US/17:57pm UK
Match 15
1:13pm US/18:13pm UK
Match 16
