Reed gives U.S. powerful performance

CHASKA, Minn. — Justin Rose couldn’t believe his eyes.

Each of three Ryder Cup match days are long ones — particularly if you are playing two matches on Friday and Saturday, which is what American Patrick Reed was doing.

While everyone around him appeared to tire in the afternoon Minnesota sun beaming down on Hazeltine National, Reed acted like Popeye after tearing open a can of spinach.

Reed (with a marginal amount of help from Spieth, carried their pairing to a pivotal 2-and-1 win over Rose and Henrik Stenson to give the Americans their 9 ½ to 6 ½ lead entering Sunday singles.

“He just played incredible golf,’’ Rose marveled. “He was inspired. He kind of punished us. Every time he had a wedge in his hands, he got it up-and-down. He was unbelievable. We didn’t quite have it. It’s tough playing four in a row, as they did as well. For Patrick to find that energy this afternoon is incredible.’’

Spieth called the match “really, really fun to be a part of.’’

“I know he has that in him. We’ve all seen it before,’’ Spieth said. “He’s ‘Captain America’ for us. He wanted to play five matches at the beginning of the week.”

Reed called it “just one of those days that I knew that I felt great.’’

Rory McIlroy got his man. He wanted to play against Phil Mickelson in this Ryder Cup and, in Saturday morning’s foursomes match alongside Thomas Pieters, he played Mickelson and Rickie Fowler and won, 4-and-2.

McIlroy entered the day with an 0-3 career record against Mickelson in Ryder Cups.

“When I saw the draw [Friday] night, I was like, ‘Yes, I get to have a go at him again,’” McIlroy said. “My record against him in the Ryder Cup isn’t what I would like it to be. So personally I may be wanted it a little bit more for that reason. That was my fourth time up against Phil in the Ryder Cup and thankfully I was able to get one back on him.’’

Just like Friday, when European captain Darren Clarke sat out two players ( Chris Wood and Matt Fitzpatrick) he did the same on Saturday to Andy Sullivan. Clarke clearly has not wanted to pair rookies together, which is why five of his players — McIlroy, Rose, Stenson, Sergio Garcia and Pieters will end up playing all five matches (all 12 players from each team play singles on Sunday).

All 12 of the Americans played for the second consecutive day.