Well, take that! The European Ryder Cup Team dug deep in afternoon fourballs to scratch out a 3-1 win over Team USA and cut their lead to 5-3. The day finished with an eagle three from an animated Rory McIlroy on the sixteenth hole to give Europe plenty of momentum heading into Saturday Foursomes.
Rory takes a bow
The Euro Super Team of Henrik Stenson & Justin Rose carded nine birdies in their wipeout of the previously magical Spieth & Reed and toasted them 5 & 4.
J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore struggled early against Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello and didn’t make a birdie until the tenth hole By that time they were down by four holes and when Moore did wake up to card three consecutive 3’s it was too late as they went down 3 & 2.
Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka were the only Americans to show their brass this afternoon as they made seven birds in the first eleven holes to win 5 & 4. Koepka’s long, straight driver and Sned’s smooth putter were too much for Martin Kaymer and Danny Willet. If Koepka keeps hitting it like he did this afternoon he’ll be playing in every remaining session.
Dustin Johnson and Mat Kuchar were hitting on all cylinders in the morning but looked like they ran out of gas in the afternoon. McIlroy and Thomas Pieters had the Americans 4 down after just seven holes. Kuch struggled and didn’t make a birdie until the sixteenth hole but McIlroy rolled in his eagle on top of him to close out the match 3 & 2.
It’s still a two point lead for Team USA but after going out to a 4-0 lead they have to be feeling the heat.
Darren Clarke’s team has to feeling good about their comeback but Clarke is tasked with getting all six of his rookies in the mix before Sunday’s Singles.
If Saturday is anything like today we are in for another great day.
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