Absolutely loving the Ryder Cup so far. Glued to the TV, and tomorrow's singles are going to be fantastic. Quite how we ended up with both fourball sessions going 2 ½ - 1½ to the USA, and then Europe coming storming back on both afternoons to take the foursomes by 3 ½ - ½ each time around just defies belief. Maybe it once again goes a little bit towards the theory of the USA players not having the same team mentality as the European guys (i.e. when you have to take alternate shots with the same ball, somehow the Americans just don't cope as well?).
This morning Rose and Stenson led the way, and despite Watson and Kuchar playing some impressive golf themselves, the Europeans made something crazy like 12 birdies in 16 holes to win 3&2. But, that was the only blue on the board this morning, and our only other score was from a hard fought half from Rory and Ian ('Mr Ryder Cup') Poulter against Walker and Fowler. Poulter hadn't been living up to his nickname and looked out of sorts until he chipped in at the 15th for shot of the day, and then the familiar eyes-bulging, fist-pumping, chest-thumping Poults was back in action.
Otherwise this morning, the USA Ryder Cup rookie pairing of Reed and Spieth confirmed what everybody had suspected yesterday that Captain Tom had made a bit of a tactical blunder by leaving them out of the second session, as they chalked up another big victory.
So, the European lead had been narrowed to just one point going into the afternoon, and the quality of golf did dip a little on both sides, partly an inevitability of the move from four balls to two, and partly a reflection of a few players showing signs of some battle fatigue, especially those who were out for their fourth session (note - interesting that Mickelson - probably the senior and most decorated player on the USA team was left out of both sessions today!) . But it was the European team who held it together, and all of the partnerships performed:
- GMac looked in control, although to be honest I think he was probably playing second fiddle to the Frenchman Dubuisson who was playing some fantastic golf, especially his approach play. The European pair were 4 or 5 up by the turn and that match was only ever going one way.
- Another pairing of experience with a newcomer and Westwood and Donaldson brought home another point. Again Donaldson looked pretty relaxed out there and appeared to be loving the Ryder Cup experience, but then, two pairings with Westie and two points won, and you would, wouldn't you?!
- Garcia and McIlroy - what a pairing! After scrambling to bring in a half yesterday afternoon our boys looked strong today, and were worthy winners. Sergio was honest in saying that he was probably the junior partner out there, but then again, just having that bundle of positive energy bouncing along next to you must surely count for a few shots.
- And finally Rose and Kaymer - Justin didn't have anything like as strong an afternoon compared to the morning fourballs, but then again, as they said in commentary, the morning round was pretty close to perfection. Martin missed a few putts this afternoon, but the guys stuck to their task, kept it going, and in the end deserved the chance on the 18th green for Rose to sink a 6 foot putt to halve the match, which he did.
And so we go into Sunday at 10 - 6. The same score as last time around, but the other way around. The key question being, can the USA team produce a 'miracle' of their own?
The pundits all seem to be saying no, and whilst I hope they are right, I think it would be foolish to make too many assumptions too soon. They USA team may be down, but they aren't out just yet, and there's plenty of golf still to be played tomorrow.
Just taken a look at the lineup for the singles, and some interesting stuff in there. Firstly, Tom really has decided to have faith in his rookies by putting Spieth and Reed up in matches 1 and 2. Otherwise Garcia against Furyk will be interesting - the passionate Spaniard against the wily American; I'm sure Gallacher is relishing the chance to have a go at Mickelson in match 5; and no doubt Poulter, fired up by his strong finish this afternoon, will have been interested to see his draw against Webb Simpson in match 9 - we haven't seen Simpson out on the course since Friday morning when he was on the wrong end of a 5&4 against the Rose/Stenson partnership.
However, I expect that the largest crowd will be reserved for match number three, and that the red or blue colouring on that part of the leaderboard could well set the tone for the day. McIlroy against Fowler - what a game!
Looking forward to it ...