Ryder Cup venue in Rome goes up in flames: Smoke billows from course where Europe’s golf stars triumphed over US

• Footage showed the course’s hospitality structure engulfed in fire and smoke 
• The incident comes just four days after Europe won the 2023 Ryder Cup there 

Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at the luxury golf venue where Europe sensationally won last week’s Ryder Cup after beating the United States.

Dozens of fire crews were at the scene in Rome tackling the massive inferno that sent flames and smoke shooting into the sky.

Footage released by a fire helicopter showed the extent of the blaze at the Marco Simone course at Guidonia on the outskirts of the Italian capital.

The blaze took hold in a three-storey grandstand which was used to house hundreds of spectators for last week’s tournament.

One eyewitness told local media: ‘The smoke and flames are amazing. It’s massive and you can feel the heat from a distance.’

Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at the luxury golf venue where Europe sensationally won last week’s Ryder Cup after beating the United States

Dozens of fire crews were at the scene tackling the massive inferno that sent flames and smoke shooting into the sky

Footage showed one of the hospitality structures at the Marco Simone golf course in flames on Thursday afternoon

Thousands of fans watch on from one of the hospitality structures on the course last week

Police were also at the scene and the cause of the blaze is being investigated but as yet no injuries have been reported.

A spokesperson for the Italian Golf Federation said:’The fire is in the grandstand that was set up for the Ryder Cup and it’s being dismantled but that’s all we know.’

The fire broke out at the first hole and in footage posted online determined golfers could still be seen playing the 18th despite the massive blaze.

Built for last week’s tournament the grandstand hosted hospitality for spectators and housed bars and restaurants for the three day event.

Officials said it was made from metal, wood and had a plastic covering which was causing the fire to spread and smoke rapidly as it is highly flammable.

Fans surround the 18th green as Shane Lowry of Team Europe at Marco Simone Golf Club on October 1

The grandstand which took several months to build was being dismantled so the course could return to normal by December.

There were unconfirmed reports in the Italian media the fire was sparked by fuel or gas canisters left over by caterers.

The Marco Simone golf club in Rome was seen on fire on Thursday, just days after hosting the 2023 Ryder Cup. 

Footage which emerged on X, formerly known as Twitter, showed the hospitality structure of the course engulfed in fire and smoke.

It’s still unknown as to what started the fire or if there were any injuries as a result. Reports from Italy claim ‘firefighters are arriving on site to contain the flames’.

The incident comes just four days after Team Europe lifted the 2023 Ryder Cup title at the same course.

Marco Simone club is 10 miles from the city centre of Rome and has 2 golf courses, an 18-hole Championship Course and a 9-hole Resort Course.

The incident comes just four days after Team Europe claimed the 2023 Ryder Cup title in Rome

Team Europe captain Luke Donald poses with the trophy and wife, Diane Antonopoulos as his team kiss their partners during the celebrations after winning the Ryder Cup

Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy celebrates with his wife Erica after Europe regained the Ryder Cup

Team Europe Captain Luke Donald holds the Ryder Cup Trophy with players 

Shane Lowry of Ireland and The European Team roars with delight as he raises the Ryder Cup beside (L-R) Matthew Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludwig Aberg, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland at the official presentation 

Europe’s WAGs took a separate photo just with Norwegian star Viktor Hovland, the only single man on the team

Luke Donald’s European side clinched a resounding 16.5-11.5 victory over Zach Johnson’s US Team, undoing the dismay of their loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.  

Donald’s side strolled to victory over USA after a blistering start to the action saw them take an early advantage, before Rory McIlroy produced some stunning golf to help them secure the win. 

McIlroy top-scored in Rome with four points as Donald’s team reclaimed the trophy and later admitted Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland and himself felt emboldened to step up. Between them, they contributed 10.5 of Europe’s 16.5-point total.

He said: ‘They’ve had unbelievable Ryder Cup careers and they’ve made their choices. No one can take away the impact that they’ve had for Europe over the years.

‘But this week, not having those big personalities in the team room let other guys have that chance to flourish, to shine: Viktor, Jon, myself. There wasn’t a ton of space taken up in that room by some of the other big personalities. We’re a young team.

‘We can all grow together. I could potentially be the oldest person on the team next time. It’s a new era. And it’s a pretty good one.’

Source: Read Full Article