McIlroy out to shut up the boo-boys in final-day Singles
EUROPE’S early momentum yesterday was stalled by Patrick Reed and the Americans in the afternoon fourballs, leaving a commanding three-point advantage for the USA for the final day Singles at Hazeltine.
A dramatic morning saw Europe reduce the gaping four-point deficit from Friday morning to a single point.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello staged a miracle comeback for a half in their foursome with Reed and Jordan Spieth.
But in the afternoon fourballs, despite the continuing brilliance of Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters in shooting 11-under to win the battle of the big hitters with Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, it was the Europeans who clearly faded as the sun started to set in Minnesota.
Reed was brilliant, with figures of 10-under in the key defeat of Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, and Darren Clarke’s decision to recall Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer for the Saturday fourballs after their poor performances on Friday backfired badly with both their matches lost to surrender the session 3-1.
Kaymer contributed little for Garcia in a 2&1 defeat to Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar, while Westwood missed short putts at 17 and 18 as he and Danny Willett handed a gift to Ryan Moore and JB Holmes.
It means that the USA have a nine-anda-half to six-and-a-half points advantage for the Singles, and Europe need sevenand-a-half points from today’s play to retain the cup for a fourth time – a little less than they managed at Medinah four years ago, but they are still hoping for lightning to strike twice.
Clarke didn’t mention his close friend Westwood by name but wasn’t hiding the task his side now faced in the singles.
“I’m disappointed with this afternoon, we’d hung in this morning and got close again, but the Americans came back in the afternoon and that’s the nature of the Ryder Cup,” he said.
“Three points behind is tough and we’re going to have to play very well tomorrow.
“It’s been done before, teams have come back from further behind, but we’re going to have to produce something to get the momentum back again.”
American skipper Davis Love was preaching caution although happy with the position.
“Both teams have been unbelievable and I hate to see a few little putts missed,” he said. “We’ve been here before, we know that there’s still a long way to go.”
The huge crowd at Hazeltine turned ugly at times during the afternoon play in particular, one fan being ejected after shouting abuse at Rory McIlroy when the Northern Irishman was walking between holes.
Stenson as well was interrupted twice by drunken hecklers while trying to play shots and there was a non-stop barrage of talk from the galleries as the day progressed.
“I’d say most of all it’s tough,” said McIlroy. “It’s a tough environment to come into and you have to keep your concentration. Sometimes emotions run high.
“The heckling fuelled me a lot. The more they shout, the better we play. I hope they shout at us all day tomorrow.”
While Clarke’s wildcard selections of Westwood and Kaymer will be scrutinised, Pieters has been a huge success, and will be the first rookie to play in all five sessions of a Ryder Cup since Paul Lawrie in 1999.