Follow all the action as Europe attempt to pull off the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history at Whistling Straits on Sunday.
Padraig Harrington’s side head into the singles 11-5 down, despite a valiant display yesterday afternoon to take two points from the fourballs. Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia were magnificent once again and have won all three of their matches together, while Shane Lowry holed an immense 12ft putt on the 18th green under extreme pressure to secure a full point for Team Europe. The damage, in truth, though, had already been done after the USA dominated the morning foursomes once again, taking the session 3-1 to leave Europe staring down the barrel of a lopsided defeat. That much was apparent when Justin Thomas began drinking a beer and celebrating in front of the grandstand on the first tee.
It means the USA require just three and a half points from this afternoon’s 12 matches to claim victory. The opening match pits Olympic champion Xander Schauffle (3-0) against an offbeat Rory McIlroy (0-3). Bryson DeChambeau faces Sergio Garcia in another tantalising match-up, while Dustin Johnson will attempt to go 5-0 for the week when he faces Paul Casey. Follow all the latest updates from all 12 matches live below:
Recommended
Ryder Cup 2021: Patrick Cantlay vs Shane Lowry A/S
A fine effort by Lowry, who judges the pace of his downhill putt to perfection. Somehow, it refuses to succumb to gravity, though, and slips past the high side of the hole almost in slow motion. The hole is halved and that’s a good recovery by Cantlay.
Ryder Cup 2021: Patrick Cantlay vs Shane Lowry
A rare mistake by Cantlay and there are some nerves here for the US early starters. From a perfect position in the fairway, the American blades his pitch and it races through the green and down into the back bunker. The recovery is excellent and he’s in for par. Lowry will have a putt to win the hole, though.
Ryder Cup 2021: Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy 1UP
McIlroy hits a lovely high draw at the par-5 2nd that just clings to the fairway. Schauffele’s turns just a little more and catches the rough. It’s the Olympic champion to go first with a 3-wood. It’s a fine shot, just missing the green, and he’ll have a good look at an up and down. McIlroy, with a long iron, is brilliant, though. A high draw arcs in towards the flag and he’ll have less than 20ft for an eagle.
Ryder Cup 2021: Patrick Cantlay vs Shane Lowry
The next group are on the tee and it’ll be Lowry, who was absolutely excellent yesterday afternoon, to go first. He blazes a perfect drive straight down the middle and will have just a short pitch into the flag. Those are the Irishman’s speciality. Cantlay’s effort is every bit as good, though.
Ryder Cup 2021: Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy 1UP
McIlroy’s chip leaves a nervy 4ft putt for birdie. It’s a must make because Schauffele is in even closer after a fine lagged putt from the fringe. McIlroy shows no nerves and rattles it into the centre of the hole. Schauffele’s putt seems set to be a routine tap-in…. but he pushes it! A bad mistake from such a brilliant player. Europe have the lead in the first match.
Ryder Cup 2021: Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy
McIlroy’s driver has been erratic and, often, outright awful since Friday morning. A singles match is a different proposition, though, and he was keen to go out first for Europe today. He lashes a perfect drive straight down the fairway and it almost reaches the green, which is 350 yards away. Schauffele, the Olympic champion who is 3-0 this week, is hardly one to be fazed, though. His drive is even better and settles on the fringe.
Ryder Cup 2021: Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy
Here we go! Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele take to the first tee. The atmosphere is raucous in the granstand. They’re convinced of victory. But can Europe mount a charge?
Ryder Cup 2021: Sunday pin positions
Whistling Straits has been such a spectacular stage this week, and the pin positions can completely change the outlook of so many holes, bringing the shore and those viciously steep banks into play. Here’s how the flags have been set up for the singles:
Ryder Cup 2021: Harrington hopes for Medinah spirit
Padraig Harrington is under no illusions over the daunting task facing his European side.
“Six points is a tough one to make up tomorrow, but I think we were a half-point short of that in the Miracle at Medinah on Sunday, so we’re just going to have to push for that tomorrow,” he said. “There’s no doubt that’s going to be very strong on our minds.”
The United States also pulled off a similar comeback title win in 1999, fighting from 10-6 down on the final day of the contest at Brookline.
“Even reversing it to Brookline. I know that was a four-point gap. These things can be done,” Harrington added. “But again, it is more of an individual game tomorrow and getting them to focus on winning their point.
“I’m sure they know they have a very tall order ahead of them, but it’s still possible. Focus on their individual self and play their game and win that and then just see how it adds up.”
Source: Read Full Article
