Europe's Ludvig Aberg (right) and playing partner Europe's Viktor Hovland celebrate on the 3rd free during their morning Foursomes match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Sept 30, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

ROME - Marauding Scandinavian duo Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg plundered the biggest win in modern Ryder Cup history as they dished out a fearful beating to American duo Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka on Saturday.

Showing as much mercy as a pair of true Vikings, they left their bewildered opponents in ruins on Rome's Marco Simone course, claiming an astonishing 9&7 win in the second foursomes of the day as Europe tightened their grip on the contest.

It surpassed the 8&7 singles wins achieved by Americans Tom Kite and Fred Couples in 1989 and 1997 respectively, while the biggest previous margin in foursomes was 7&6.

Incredibly, Hovland and Aberg were up against two of the biggest names in Zach Johnson's American team, with Scheffler ranked world number one and Koepka a five-time major winner

Incredibly, Hovland and Aberg were up against two of the biggest names in Zach Johnson's American team, with Scheffler ranked world number one and Koepka a five-time major winner.

But the rampant Scandinavians dispatched them like Sunday morning hackers, with every blow being roared by thousands of fans who lined the fairways.

ALSO READ: Ryder Cup rookie Aberg shares lead at BMW PGA Championship

It was all too much for Scheffler who was reduced to tears after one of the most chastening days of his career.

The 23-year-old Aberg only turned professional in June, has played only a handful of tour events and is the first Ryder Cup player not to have contested a major.

But for the second day in a row he looked totally at home alongside world number four Hovland, the Nordic duo dominating from the moment they won the opening hole after Scheffler struck a wayward tee shot into trouble.

They turned what was supposed to be a fierce battle into an exhibition match with the shot of the day being Aberg's tee shot at the par-three fourth that stopped three inches from the hole.

"I don't even know what to say or where to start," Aberg, who dominated the US college scene and was an amateur world number one, said. "Obviously an unbelievable day but most important we enjoyed it, we had fun and felt the crowd support."

Europe's Viktor Hovland reacts and celebrates after his birdie putt earned Europe a tie in his afternoon Fourballs match at the Ryder Cup golf tournament at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, Sept 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

At one point Aberg applauded Europe's blue-clad fans as they belted out an Abba-inspired homage to their latest hero.

Aberg, who Europe captain Luke Donald described as a "generational player" picking him, is enjoying a dream debut. He also partnered Hovland to a 4&3 win over Max Homa and Brian Harman on Friday.

Hovland, 26, had a Ryder Cup baptism of fire in 2021 when he was part of the team that was trounced 19-9 but two years later he is exacting sweet revenge.

He now has two and a half points from three matches in Rome having holed a monster putt on the 18th to earn a tie with Tyrrell Hatton against Justin Spieth and Justin Thomas in Friday's fourballs to stall an American fightback.

"So far so good. I don't think we could have done better," Hovland said of his partnership with Aberg that could become a key component of multiple Ryder Cups.

ALSO READ: European LIV golfers still have Ryder Cup aspirations

"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."

While they played near-perfect golf, Scheffler and Koepka cut sorry figures as they bumbled around the course, finding water and deep rough and barely a fairway.

They conceded holes at the eighth and ninth and were dead men walking as they plodded silently to the 10th tee.

Thankfully for them they were put out of their misery on the 11th where the volunteer carrying the scoreboard was taken by surprise, having to use an upside down 6 for a 9.

The only bigger Ryder Cup wins in foursomes were 10&9 victories achieved in the 1930s and 40s over 36 holes.