Ryder Cup Singles Matches Announced, U.S. Holds 9.5 to 6.5 Lead After Saturday

The United States entered Saturday’s afternoon four-ball session with a 6.5 to 5.5 lead over the Europeans at the Ryder Cup. Captain Davis Love III decided to roll with the big guns first in Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka against Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters. Things didn’t go well early for DJ and Brooks as they dropped four points over the first 10 holes. The pair rebounded and exchanged blows over the next seven holes but still finished down three.

The crowds were rowdy and, at times downright rude to McIlroy. At one point a fan was ejected after yelling inappropriate language at the four-time major winner.

McIlroy said the crowd fueled him all day.

Via ASAP Sports:

"Q. The more they heckled, the better you play, right? RORY McILROY: That’s the plan, yeah, just try to get them fired up and that gets us fired up. Yeah, you’ve got to keep your concentration out there. It’s tough at times, but just glad we got it done today. Q. I know you’re going to be sorry to be asked about this again but could you tell me a little bit about the altercation on the seventh? RORY McILROY: Oh, yeah, someone just said a few derogatory things I thought was out of line. Tried to get him removed. I’m not sure if he was removed or not. Look, these things happen. It’s golf at the end of the day. You try to keep the utmost respect for who you’re playing and for who you’re supporting. You know, that particular guy, this is obviously in the very, very small minority, just took it a bit too far."

Ryan Moore and J.B. Holmes were the next pair off the tee; they faced Danny Willett and Lee Westwood. Moore and Holmes lost their Friday four-ball session three and two to Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello and appeared to be under pressure after Westwood won the seventh hole to go one up. Holmes answered by winning the ninth but was quickly answered by Westwood winning the 10th. Holmes won the 13th to square the match and then Moore won the 17th to put the U.S. one up.

Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar faced off against Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer and appeared to be the worst match for the U.S. in my opinion. Boy, was I wrong. Lefty and Kuchar went two up after four and even though they only won two and one, it didn’t feel close. The pair had exciting moments throughout the day that included Kuchar’s shimmy.

Mickelson is 46 years old and seemed like the best player to sit in the afternoon to rest him for singles, but it worked out well for Davis Love.

The final U.S. pair off the tee was Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, aka Captain America. The pair dropped the first hole to Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson before Reed turned on the afterburners. Reed birdied the fifth hole and followed that up with a ridiculous eagle that fueled him as he won the two holes after that as well as the 14th and 15th.

Jordan Spieth did help the pair halve three holes, but never seemed to get it going even though his partner was playing so well.

Sunday Singles

The U.S. only needs to win five of the 12 matches to win the Ryder Cup.

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