Best friends Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns struggle in Ryder Cup loss

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns struggled in their Ryder Cup match against Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, losing 4 and 3.

In the town of Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, two best friends, Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns, have been struggling to find success when they play golf together. This was evident in their recent match at the Ryder Cup, where they only won one hole.

Their opponents, Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, quickly defeated Scheffler and Burns 4 and 3 in just 15 holes. This victory gave Europe their first point of the tournament and set them on a strong path with a 4-0 lead in foursomes, their best start ever.

The superintendent of the Marco Simone golf course, Lara Arias, couldn't help but smile and cheer when Scheffler's very first tee shot landed in thick rough on the left side of the fairway. It seemed that Arias had a premonition of what was to come for the Americans. Later in the match, they found themselves hitting out of high grass next to a cart path due to another errant shot.

Scheffler acknowledged the challenging atmosphere of the match and praised Rahm and Hatton for their excellent play. He admitted that he and Burns didn't have enough opportunities for birdies, which ultimately hindered their performance.

Burns, ranked 20th in the world, was the only rookie among the six captain's picks for the Ryder Cup. His selection may now face scrutiny after this defeat. It's worth noting that Burns and Scheffler had previously played together at the Presidents Cup without securing a win.

However, Burns did manage to sink a crucial 6-foot birdie putt after an impressive second shot from Scheffler at the par-4 sixth hole. But Rahm quickly responded by hitting a tee shot that nearly landed in the hole at the 203-yard par-3 seventh.

At the tenth hole, the Europeans found themselves in trouble after hitting consecutive shots into the rough. But Rahm saved the day by chipping in from off the green, forcing Scheffler to make a putt to halve the hole.

Rahm spoke highly of his partnership with Hatton, highlighting their similar approach to the game and their ability to understand each other's mindset. He compared their connection to being in the same brain, despite expressing their thoughts differently.

Despite their defeat, Burns and Scheffler remain positive and resilient. They attribute their strong bond to their shared faith and their habit of living together during PGA Tour events. They refuse to dwell on this loss, acknowledging that they were simply outplayed by their opponents.

Scheffler reflected on their efforts, mentioning their birdie at the sixth hole to narrow the deficit. However, Rahm's incredible shot at the seventh and subsequent birdies by the Europeans prevented them from gaining momentum. Scheffler acknowledged the toughness of the match and the excellent play by Rahm and Hatton.

In the afternoon fourballs, Burns was benched while Scheffler was paired with Brooks Koepka, a fan-favorite and reigning PGA champion. This decision left many American fans hoping to see Koepka in action during the morning session.

Overall, the match between Scheffler/Burns and Rahm/Hatton showcased the challenges faced by the American duo. Despite their close friendship and shared experiences, they were unable to overcome the exceptional play of their opponents.