Stop it Matt Fitzpatrick! It's getting obscene now as the former US Open champion rolls in yet another putt from around 14 feet to make it four holes on the spin.

This time it's for an eagle two on the short par four and all Rory McIlroy can do is laugh as he's been a bystander in the Matt Fitzpatrick show so far.

Image source, Getty Images

And I'll say again, what is Nicolai Hojgaard made of? He's just stuck his tee shot on the par-three seventh to seven feet and then watches Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka make par before rolling in his birdie to put Europe ahead.

There's a fist pump from the Dane, and a big smile from partner Jon Rahm. Stunning stuff from the rookie.

This is a mid-iron masterclass from Justin Rose.

Another approach, this time on the sixth, is a thing of beauty and leaves the Englishman with what you'd think is a simple birdie putt.

Let's see how Wyndham Clark can respond. With MacIntyre also only about 12 feet away, he's gotta go for it.

Oh, yes. That's impressive. He attacks the flag, pitches just beyond and sticks on the reverse lights to spin the ball back.

Not an easy putt down the hill for Viktor Hovland and he knows early on that it's sliding by the right side of the cup.

An opportunity for Jordan Spieth to capitalise coming the other way, but he leaves it short and removes his hat in frustration.

These Roman greens aren't as fast as on the PGA Tour and they've caught him out.

That'll do Viktor Hovland. Another magic approach shot and he'll have a 17-footer for birdie.

Jordan Spieth follows him in with an equally sumptuous iron. These two will slug it out from similar distance to try and get their noses in front.

Max Homa might have missed his birdie putt but team-mate Wyndham Clark does not.

Clark has not contributed too much so far in the early moments of his Ryder Cup debut, perhaps this could kickstart things for the American and his team.

The three on the fifth draws Clark and Homa level again with Rose and MacIntyre.

Matt Fitzpatrick's putter is on fire! That's a third birdie in a row to send the European pair three up!

Well, send Fitzpatrick three up - he's so inspired Rory McIlroy can just sit back and enjoy this, in fact he could've just put his feet up for nine holes and have a rest, join the group at the turn, because the Yorkshireman is on a mission.

Ugly for Justin Thomas who has got the marshals combing through the thick rough down the left side of the eighth hole.

They have found it at least but it's embedded and he's unable to free it with his second shot.

A third plops onto the fairway but safe to say he's out of this hole.

Partner Jordan Spieth is in a prime position - but so are Tyrrell Hatton and Viktor Hovland.

And another one goes begging!

These American putters are colder than bare arms in the snow.

Max Homa has the opportunity to win the fifth for the visitors, but pushes the putt past the right of the hole.

These European rookies are just a different breed! Here's Nicolai Hojgaard now having to hole out from five feet but there's no drama at all as he rolls it in.

What have you got to do to make these guys nervous?

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

Image source, BBC Sport

Sheila, Colleen, Dan, Tim and Chris have travelled to Rome to watch the Ryder Cup from Philadelphia, although with the fairways packed all around they are still very much working out the best vantage spots to see all the fourballs matches this afternoon. .

They had a minor hangover heading in from the heart of the city this morning, jokingly saying they probably felt as rough as Zach Johnson’s team, “who are getting their backsides kicked” at the moment.

Joking aside Chris says: “We are loving it. The weather is great, we’re at the golf, what’s not to like?”

Image source, PA Media

Back to all square.

The US lead lasts a single hole as Viktor Hovland drags Europe level.

It was all achieved in that tee shot and, strangely, Justin Thomas looks tentative as he dribbles his putt wide.

That leaderboard red has disappeared.

Think they're the Scottish lads we spotted out on the course yesterday.

Bit hot and sticky out there on Marco Simone... do they have custom made t-shirts for every day?

Or is it a quick handwash before bed?

Peter Scrivener
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Radio 5 Live commentator John Murray is out with Scotland's Bob MacIntyre this afternoon and managed to snap these fellas who are also tracking his every move.

I heard a story earlier this week... Bob's family and friends had to encourage him not to play in a big shinty relegation match recently.

He's been a keen player of the sport - which is played with sticks and a ball - for a number of years and bought some tougher gloves to protect his hands but I suspect, with my limited knowledge of the sport, that it was a blow to the legs, body or head that might have been more of a concern.

What a response from Viktor Hovland to falling behind.

He's right on the money off the seventh tee and a four-foot birdie attempt awaits.

Justin Thomas will also have a look but 19 feet will be more challenging.

Image source, PA

That's back-to-back birdies for Matt Fitzpatrick to put Europe two up in this one - he really is keen to get that first Ryder Cup point today isn't he!

Homa does have the putter out actually, from the fringe at the back.

A solid effort from the US rookie, who looks much better set after a difficult debut this morning.

However, it is not really troubling the hole and gives an opportunity to Rose.

Rose goes aggressive with his birdie attempt - and so he should with MacIntyre already in the can for a par - but whistles his putt barely an inch wide.

Hole halved and Europe still lead this match.

Image source, BBC Sport

The first sighting of red on the board today. Six hours and 30 minutes after the first tee shot.

Jon Rahm and Nicolai Hojgaard are both in for birdie and Scottie Scheffler has got eight feet to halve the hole.

This is what he’s been pracitising over and over again, trying to get something going on the greens.

Sunk. US escape still all square in this pair.