Thrilling four-ball revenge in Ryder Cup

Europe had a score to settle in the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine and they didn’t dilly dally on the way.  While the American team was still bathing in its morning foursomes 4-0 glory, European Captain Darren Clarke forged some invincible pairings for the four-balls to snatch three very convincing victories in the afternoon.  Europe are back in business in their bid to retain the Ryder Cup trophy. At the end of day one they trail five points to three.

 

Amazingly only one pairing made it to the 18th hole on the opening day.  It was Europe’s Rory McIlroy and rookie Andy Sullivan who lost their match down the last to Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.  In the afternoon four-balls, Europe dominated to such a degree that play was cut short for the 50,000 or so fans expected daily at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota.

 

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson won the first four-ball point for Europe against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, 5&4.  Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka then retaliated with a 5&4 victory over Martin Kaymer and Ryder Cup debutant Danny Willett.  It was to be America’s only point in the afternoon.  There was no stopping the Spanish duo of Sergio Garcia and rookie Rafa Cabrera-Bello.  They defeated J. B. Holmes and Ryan Moore by 3&2 leaving just Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters out on the course.

 

The lanky, long-hitting Belgian is already making an impressive debut in the Ryder Cup and looks completely at home on the world stage partnering the formidable Rory McIlroy in the four-balls.  It was to be the ‘match of the day’ against another long-hitter, Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar.   Drama unfolded at the par-5, 16th when Johnson’s ball finished in the water and then McIlroy holed holed his putt for eagle and a 3&2 victory, much to the delight of Europe.  The Northern Irishman then, rather cheekily, bowed twice to the dumb-strucked American fans around the green before punching the air in ecstasy.  At that moment, McIlroy and Pieters’ triumph and the point for Europe seemed more precious than Rory’s recent FedEx Cup win with its 10 million dollar bonus.

 

Playing for your country does that to you.

 

Wendy Hoad

 

Friday, 30 September

Foursomes: USA 4 – 0 EUROPE

Four-balls: USA 1 – 3 EUROPE

Result end of day one: USA 5 – 3 EUROPE

 

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