In an enthralling foursomes session on Saturday morning, the Europeans closed the American lead at the 2016 Ryder Cup to just a single point.
Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
After the Europeans had rallied back from a big early deficit on Friday, the consensus from analysts on both sides of the Atlantic was that Saturday’s foursomes would be crucial in determining the outcome of this year’s Ryder Cup.
With Europe not only coming out on top in the session, but doing so in dramatic fashion, the chances of that being true appeared increasingly likely heading into Saturday afternoon.
The continuation of an increasingly dominant looking pairing set Europe on their way, but a dramatic comeback right at the death provided easily the most memorable match of the 2016 Ryder Cup so far.
As a result, heading into fourballs, the action at Hazeltine couldn’t be much more finely poised.
Considering the clean sweep in the foursomes that the Americans opened up with, they’ll have every reason to be disappointed by how it has developed, while the Europeans will only be growing in confidence with each passing match.
Before moving on to an important afternoon of play on Saturday, let’s take a look back on just how the morning’s first four matches played out.
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Rory McIlroy/Thomas Pieters def. Phil Mickelson/Rickie Fowler 4 & 2
Although the momentum swung back and forward throughout this match, in reflecting on a win for the European duo, it’s hard to overlook the impact of the very first hole. After Rickie Fowler drained a lengthy birdie to energize the home support, rookie Thomas Pieters stood up confidently, making his own putt, before raising a solitary finger to his lips to quieten the crowd.
That was proof that carrying the same confidence that saw them overcome Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar on Friday afternoon, Pieters and McIlroy would be very difficult to beat. In spite of a blip towards the middle of the round, the Europeans played the 16 holes that the match lasted in four-under par.
For the Americans, Fowler and Mickelson arguably played better golf than they did in their win on Friday morning, but still, plagued by erratic driving and too many errors, beating McIlroy and Pieters never truly seemed to be in play.
Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Brandt Snedeker/Brooks Koepka def. Henrik Stenson/Matt Fitzpatrick 3 & 2
For as much has been discussed about the Americans’ marquee pairing of Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, the duo of Snedeker and Koepka have shown themselves to be an even more formidable group in their own right, going 2-0 so far in this year’s event.
Coming in as a rookie, Koepka’s big hitting was always going to be a source of intrigue, but alongside the passion and consistency of Snedeker he has really managed to thrive through the event’s opening two days.
In spite of some errant tee shots, Koepka and Snedeker consistently made the putts that mattered and got hot at the right time for four straight birdies to close out the match. With Stenson a little out of sorts and Matt Fitzpatrick not fully looking settled in his first start, the Americans seized the chances that fell their way.
Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Rose/Chris Wood def. Zach Johnson/Jimmy Walker 1 Up
After an unconvincing opening day alongside his long-time partner Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose had a lot to prove on Saturday, and with Chris Wood making his Ryder Cup debut alongside him, there was reason for caution for Europe.
Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker picked up a good win on Friday thanks to incredibly solid play and good holing out on the greens and their play was equally reliable on this occasion. It wasn’t that Rose and Wood necessarily outplayed their American counterparts, but more that they made more putts or hit more good shots when it mattered most.
Having hit his second to the par-5 16th hole into the water on the 16th, Rose opened the door for the Americans ever so slightly, but with no bogeys on their back nine, he and Wood just managed to hold on for the narrowest of victories.
Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Sergio Garcia/Rafa Cabrera Bello Halved With Jordan Spieth/Patrick Reed
In the Ryder Cup, a match is never over until both teams have shaken hands. If Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed didn’t realize that already, they sure do now. In a match that originally looked like it could be wrapped up for the Americans shortly after the turn, the European pairing charged back from four down to clinch a vital half point.
Just like they had done on Friday, Spieth and Reed opened up Saturday’s foursomes in blistering form. The Americans birdied their first three holes en route to completing their front nine in 31. Although Cabrera Bello and Garcia were playing well, they were barely clinging to the coattails of their opponents.
As the Americans started to consistently miss fairways and putts, Garcia turned into the veteran who has experienced such success in this event down the years and Cabrera Bello alongside him delivered a number of big shots of his own. When play finishes at Hazeltine on Sunday, this game could prove to be decisive.
Now as play moves on to the fourballs, which team will have the advantage heading into Sunday? Let us know in the comments below.
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