GLENEAGLES, Scotland // It is 10-6 going into the final day of the Ryder Cup – again.
This time, Europe are in the lead and it is the United States in need of a stunning Sunday comeback.
Two years after the “Miracle of Medinah”, where Europe overcame a 10-6 deficit to win 14.5-13.5, the home team leads by the same score after dominating the foursomes matches at Gleneagles yesterday.
But Europe, too, know what it is like to throw away a 10-6 lead. Back in 1999 in Brookline, the US overturned that same score to win 14.5-13.5.
Europe, who have captured seven of the past nine Ryder Cups, need four points from today’s 12 singles matches to retain the trophy and 4.5 points to win it outright.
“We know it’s possible,” Justin Rose said. “The finish line is nowhere near yet. Still have 4.5 points to earn tomorrow. That’s four or five guys that need to go out and play great golf, and that’s nearly half the team. So, the way I see it, we have some work to do.”
The Americans said they are up to the challenge.
“Everyone in our team room believes that we can do that,” rookie Jordan Spieth said. “They have to win 4.5 points out of 12 matches. Brookline was 10-6, Medinah was 10-6 the other way. Hopefully, we get some good pairings and some guys out early to go make a move.”
Yesterday’s play began with Europe leading 5-3. The United States won 2.5 points in the morning fourballs to cut the lead and make the score 6.5-5.5.
Then the Europeans seized command in the afternoon, winning three of the alternate-shot matches and halving the fourth. It was the second day in a row Europe grabbed 3.5 points from the foursomes.
Lee Westwood and rookie Jamie Donaldson got the ball rolling, beating Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar 2 and 1 in the first foursomes.
Then, Graeme McDowell and rookie Victor Dubuisson extended the lead to three points, 8.5-5.5, beating Ricky Fowler and Jimmy Walker 5 and 4.
Dubuisson has won both of his matches in a sensational debut, while Fowler remains without a win in his Ryder Cup career.
The third win of the afternoon came from Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia, who defeated Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan 3 and 2. It was the marquee duo’s first win in three matches after two halves.
“It’s nice to put that first win on the board,” McIlroy said.
In the final match, Rose and Martin Kaymer halved with US rookies Spieth and Patrick Reed.
The European duo’s 12-under score was a Ryder Cup record in fourballs.
The 21-under total for the two pairings was also a record.
“It’s hard to reflect on it when you’re playing, but 21 birdies in 16 holes between us, that’s something special,” Stenson said.
“It might be a highlight to put on the big screen with the grandkids one day.”
After Rose and Stenson stretched the overall score to 6-3, the Americans surged back, and came close to levelling the score by the end of the morning.
With the score at 6-5, Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker earned a half-point against McIlroy and Ian Poulter. With an eagle putt to win the match on the 18th, Fowler left it just short.
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