Veterans help Europe seize Ryder Cup lead
AFP - Ryder Cup veterans Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter starred as Europe claimed a history-making foursomes whitewash in a stunning fight back to seize a 5-3 lead over the United States (US) yesterday.
Trailing by two points after the opening-morning fourballs at Le Golf National, home Captain Thomas Bjorn brought wildcard picks Poulter, Garcia and Henrik Stenson into the action and the decision paid off in style.
Europe roared back at the Americans to the delight of raucous crowds at the first Ryder Cup to be played in France.
US Skipper Jim Furyk left out Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed after their defeat by Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood got Europe on the board, and his players totally lost the momentum they had built up earlier in the day.
It was the first foursomes clean sweep for the hosts in Ryder Cup history.
The States arrived at Le Golf National with a star-studded outfit featuring nine major champions as they look for a first win on European soil since 1993, but they were left shell-shocked after falling apart on the picturesque Albatros Course.
Stenson and Rose reprised their successful partnership of Ryder Cups gone by to see off Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson three and two, while Garcia teamed up with Swedish rookie Alex Noren to crush Phil Mickelson and Bryson Dechambeau five and four.
The experienced duo of Poulter and four-time major winner Rory Mcilroy battled back from twodown to beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson four and two.
Molinari and Fleetwood grabbed their second win of the day with a five and four thumping of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, as all the American pairings finished their rounds over par.
All four matches saw dominant triumphs for Europe, and finished within an hour of each other.
Trailing by two points after the openingmorning fourballs at Le Golf National, home Captain Thomas Bjorn brought wildcard picks Poulter, Garcia and Henrik Stenson into the action and the decision paid off in style