USA not likely to match Europe’s Medinah comeback feat

Europe go into the final day of the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles with a 10-6 advantage, following yesterday’s (Saturday 27th) 3 ½ point fourballs afternoon achievement, to the USA’s ½. The hosts need to reach just 14 to retain their title.

Now come the singles, with 12 battles to play. The USA come into the session, knowing that Europe came back to victory from this exact same deficit two years ago in Medinah, but massive 8/1 chances to win. Paul McGinley’s men are odds-on at 1/4, with a draw priced at 9/1.

Graeme McDowell and Jordan Spieth teed off first, with the Northern Irishman three down before the halfway stage.

Henrik Stenson and a passionate Patrick Reed, meanwhile, are still tied, but world number one Rory McIlroy has taken his remarkable season form into this competition, and leads long-term friend and rival Rickie Fowler by five shots.

Justin Rose, though, finds himself four down to Hunter Mahan. The next two on the list for Europe, Scotsman Stephen Gallacher and Martin Kaymer have started better, both going one up against respective opponents and multiple Major winners Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson.

Thomas Bjorn v Matt Kuchar and Sergio Garcia v Jim Furyk has just kicked off, with the Spaniard one shot down after the first hole. Ryder Cup specialist Ian Poulter, who hit a magnificent chipped shot yesterday on his way to securing a half point with partner McIlroy is also one down against Webb Simpson after one hole.

Jamie Donaldson, joint-fifth most successful Ryder Cup player Lee Westwood and Victor Dubuisson are all to tee off for Europe against Keegan Bradley, Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson respectively.
Following yesterday’s impressive session, the hosts’ captain McGinley said: “We are not finished. We have a lot of work to do and we have to be on it in the morning.”

USA skipper Tom Watson, meanwhile said of his team’s chances: “We have come back from 10-6 before. They know it and I’ll reiterate it.

“Our rookies played some magnificent golf and we have the players to come back. Credit to the Europeans, they played some great golf. It seems the foursomes is their forte.”