Ryder Cup Update II

Well, as we said in the last post, momentum can swing quickly in the Ryder Cup. And in this afternoon's session, the US virtually locked up their first Ryder Cup victory on home soil since 2008 with a 3-1 victory. The US was led by Patrick Reed and J.B. Holmes who were both birdie machines today.

The Euro team of Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters got the Euros to even for the match with a 3 and 1 victory where they led all the way. McIlroy played like a man possessed all day and is clearly the fiery leader of the European team. Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar got ahead of Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer early and the Euros could never get back to all square as the Americans won 2 and 1 with Mickelson sinking the decisive putt on 17. Patrick Reed was just on fire as he rattled off 5 birdies in a row to win four consecutive holes and take command on the front nine.  But Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson hung in there and managed to cut their deficit to 1 down after 13. But Reed just shut the door, winning the next two holes and closing out the Euros 2 and 1. Jordan Spieth was pretty much a non-factor all match, which should be of some concern to the Americans. J.B. Holmes had seven birdies while his partner Ryan Moore just watched. But Danny Willett and Lee Westwood, who hit two long putts, and managed to hang with them and were 1 up after 10. The teams were all square going to 17 and it looked grim for the US when Holmes put it in the water. But Moore hit the ball to the back of the green. Westwood and Willett both just missed the green and had scruffy lies. Westwood left his chip about 3 feet short and Willett's was even shorter. Moore hit his putt stiff, so it was up to Willett and or Westwood to make the par putt for the halve. Willett missed and Westwood pushed another short putt to give the US a 1 up lead going to 18. Westwood looked like he had atoned for his poor putting when he put his second shot within three feet on 18. The US got up and down for their par and all Westwood had to do was knock in the 3-footer for an important half point for Europe. But, incredibly, he pushed it again and the US got the full point. Westwood, a Ryder Cup veteran, had sat Friday afternoon and Saturday morning because of his poor play on Friday morning. And this afternoon he missed four putts of about 3 feet or less that would have given his team a win or half on the hole. He was actually better from long range.

The 2 point win this afternoon give the US a 3 point lead, 9-1/2 to 6-1/2, going into singles play tomorrow, where their depth of experience should provide an advantage. But the European rookies, especially Thomas Pieters, Danny Willett, Matt Fitzpatrick, and even Rafa Cabrera-Bello, look like they were coping reasonably well with the Ryder Cup pressure. We'll see how they hold up tomorrow.