US stretch lead as Rory rips hecklers
CHASKA: Moving closer to their first Ryder Cup victory since 2008, the United States captured Saturday’s three final four-ball matches to seize a 9½- 6½ edge over Europe.
Heckling crowds that Europe star Rory McIlroy says have gone over the top with insults at Hazeltine were delighted as the Americans put themselves in prime position to snap a three-edition losing streak in the biennial team golf showdown.
“We always get criticised — we don’t bond as a team, we don’t have enough passion — and this time we’ve taken it personally,” US captain Davis Love said. “We’re in a good position. I’m very elated.”
Personally is how McIlroy, who won in four-balls and alternate shot matches Saturday with Belgian partner Thomas Pieters, has taken spectators’ taunts.
“I think there have been some boundaries overstepped out there,” McIlroy said. “I let it get to me a couple times when I shouldn’t have. You’re going to let it get to you when emotions are running this high.”
Third-ranked McIlroy was screaming and fist pumping all day, spurred on by the crude remarks.
“It fueled me a lot,” McIlroy said. “The more they shouted at us the better we played. I hope they shout at us all day tomorrow.”
Patrick Reed and Phil Mickelson made clutch putts over the final holes to secure two vital US points while 10-time Cup starter Lee Westwood, a captain’s choice, botched a two-foot putt to cost Europe half a point.
As a result, the US team needed only five points from yesterday’s 12 concluding singles matches to reclaim the Cup while Europe must take 7½ points to keep the trophy.
“Disappointed. We had a few chances but the American guys played very good,” Europe captain Darren Clarke said. “We are going to have to work hard tomorrow.”
McIlroy and Reed were due to meet in yesterday’s singles opener with other matchups including Jordan Spieth against British Open champion Henrik Stenson of Sweden, Olympic champion Justin Rose of England against Rickie Fowler and fivetime major winner Phil Mickelson against Sergio Garcia.
It would take Europe’s second-biggest rally to keep the Cup, having trailed 10-6 in 2012 before a Love-guided US squad was shocked in the “Miracle at Medinah.”
“It has been done before from a worse position than what we have,” Clarke said. “We have a chance. The guys are capable of doing it. There is a precedent.”
Since 1979, when the Cup expanded beyond a British-Irish team, teams ahead by three points or more entering singles have won seven of nine times.
“I’m excited but a three-point lead can be gone in the first three matches,” US star Jordan Spieth said. “We need to come out and play aggressive, like we are two points down.”