A brilliant afternoon of foursomes golf ensured Europe will go into the final day of the 2014 Ryder Cup in a very commanding position.
America won the morning fourballs session 2½- 1½ but the Europeans fought back in the afternoon to secure a 3½- ½ victory, which, coupled with yesterday’s result puts Paul McGinley’s men four clear points ahead going into the final day.
Saturday morning fourballs (European players first)
- Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson won 3&2 v Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar
- Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood lost 4&3 v Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan
- Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer lost 5&3 v Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth
- Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter halved v Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler
Europe went into today’s foursomes already 5-3 ahead and an inspired Justin Rose and his partner Henrik Stenson added to that lead in a thrilling first match.
The European duo set a new Ryder Cup fourball record with their round of 12 under par to secure a 3&2 victory and put Europe 6-3 ahead overall.
However, the Americans fought back with Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan beating Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood 4&3 while America’s golden boys Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth recorded their second victory of the weekend, beating Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer to bring the scores back to 6-5.
It looked as if the overall scores would be levelled in the final match with Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter trailing Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler. The Americans could have gone two up on the 15th but a stunning chip from Poulter turned Europe’s fortunes and the point was halved to ensure Europe took a 6½- 5½ lead into the afternoon
Saturday afternoon foursomes (European players first)
- Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood won 2&1 v Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar
- Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy won 3&2 v Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan
- Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose halved v Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed
- Victor Dubuisson Graeme McDowell won 5&4 v Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler
The strong European finish the morning continued into the afternoon as McGinley’s men won three of the four foursomes matches, with the other match halved.
Donaldson and Westwood got the ball rolling with a 2&1 victory over Johnson and Kuchar to put Europe 7½- 5½ ahead and to give Westwood his 23rd Ryder Cup point, just two shy of the record held by Sir Nick Faldo.
Garcia and McIlroy were back together and the world numbers one and three showed their class with a 3&2 victory over Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan.
The most entertaining battle of the day came when Kaymer was partnered by Rose, who had already won three matches, the duo came up against unbeaten American duo Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed and after a thrilling encounter, both unbeaten records remained intact with the pairs halving the point.
The fourth match was secured in comfortable style as Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell partnered Frenchman Victor Dubuisson to a 5&4 victory over Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler to extend Europe’s lead to 10-6 going into the final day.
10-6 looks a comfortable lead but we all remember what happened to years age in Medinah when the hosts were 10-6 ahead going into the final day…