Ryder Cup: Team USA dominates the foursomes to hold a 3-1 lead over Europe at Whistling Straits

new balance

free keto book

Europe’s Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia take the opening point but Team USA go on to dominate the opening session at the Ryder Cup to hold a 3-1 lead

  • Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia gave Europe the first point at the Ryder Cup
  • Team USA though would go on to dominate the opening session in Wisconsin 
  • Dustin Johnson and Open champion Collin Morikawa levelled the score
  • Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger saw off Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick 
  • Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay dominated Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter











Europe experienced an unwelcome sense of deja vu as the United States claimed a 3-1 lead after the opening session of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

World number one Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia led from the front with a foursomes victory over the top American pairing of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, but that was the only good news for Padraig Harrington’s side.

See also  Rory McIlroy revels in his one-shot win over bitter tee-gate rival Patrick Reed

Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa defeated Paul Casey and Norwegian rookie Viktor Hovland 3 and 2 to level the scores, while Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger beat Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick 2 and 1.  

Brooks Koepka bumps fists with Daniel Berger after beating Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick

Brooks Koepka bumps fists with Daniel Berger after beating Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick

Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter had at least avoided suffering a record defeat to Patrick Cantlay and Patrick Schauffele after losing the first five holes, but the eventual 5 and 3 loss was a demoralising blow for one of Europe’s star pairings.

Europe also lost the opening session 3-1 in Paris in 2018, albeit in fourballs, but won all four afternoon matches on their way to a comprehensive seven-point victory at Le Golf National.

Garcia already held the record for most points won in the Ryder Cup with 25.5 and Friday’s win was his 23rd overall, equalling the record held by Nick Faldo.

Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia took Europe's only point of the opening session in Wisconsin

Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia took Europe’s only point of the opening session in Wisconsin

Rahm holed from almost 60 feet for birdie on the fourth and further birdies on the eighth and 10th put the European pair in command, with Garcia crucially holing from 25 feet for another on the 15th before Thomas missed from much closer.

See also  LIV Golf offered $130 MILLION to Will Zalatoris, Fred Couple says

The Americans won the 16th to keep the match alive and Spieth then played an extraordinary shot from thick rough on a steep bank to the left of the 17th green, the slope forcing him to turn and almost run into Lake Michigan as he struggled to keep his balance, only for Thomas to miss the par putt.

‘I don’t think I exaggerated that fall, you know how steep that is,’ Spieth said. ‘Once I started moving, I was like, I’ve got to keep moving until I find a flat spot. 

Dustin Johnson and Open champion Collin Morikawa levelled the score for Team USA

Dustin Johnson and Open champion Collin Morikawa levelled the score for Team USA

Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy were in danger of suffering the heaviest foursomes defeat

Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy were in danger of suffering the heaviest foursomes defeat

McIlroy and Poulter were two over par for the first five holes and in danger of suffering the heaviest ever defeat in a foursomes match, the largest margin of victory of 7 and 6 most recently achieved by Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley against Westwood and Luke Donald in 2012.

See also  US Women's Open: Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Wie West bid farewell

It took until the 10th hole for a superb pitch from Poulter to set up a first birdie of the day and par was good enough to win the next before Schauffele almost holed his tee shot on the par-three 12th.

The birdie was duly conceded but Poulter holed from nine feet for a half and both teams also birdied the next before two more birdies from the Americans sealed the win.

McIlroy congratulates Xander Scahuffele after his win with partner Patrick Cantlay

McIlroy congratulates Xander Scahuffele after his win with partner Patrick Cantlay

‘The start wasn’t great,’ McIlroy said. ‘I don’t know if anyone could have beat (sic) Xander and Patrick today. They played really good, four birdies in a row. 

‘They were a great pairing today and all you can do is praise them for the way they played.’

Westwood missed from four feet for birdie on the opening hole and he and Fitzpatrick never led at any stage, while Casey and Hovland were one up after four before their opponents made three straight birdies from the 10th to turn the tide.

Advertisement

anti radiation

new balance


Source link

crypto quantum