US fight back but Europe still in the driving seat

America’s big guns were silenced again in the Ryder Cup at the K Club today - but Europe were then given a reminder that the first-ever match on Irish soil still had a long way to go.

America’s big guns were silenced again in the Ryder Cup at the K Club today - but Europe were then given a reminder that the first-ever match on Irish soil still had a long way to go.

Improving the overnight two-point lead to three in the morning fourballs would have been great for Ian Woosnam’s side whoever it was they beat.

But the fact that Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco, then Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk were made to taste more defeat lifted morale in the home camp – and, of course, in the packed grandstands – even further.

It prompted talk about whether Woods and Mickelson, with one win between them out of a possible six in the match, would and should be omitted from the afternoon foursomes. But the only change Tom Lehman made to his leading lights was to bring in David Toms as Mickelson’s partner.

And, trailing 7 1/2-4 1/2 by then, the United States showed they were down, but far from out.

Although Paul Casey, one of the earlier heroes, and recalled David Howell raced into a four-hole lead over Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson the other three games were building to tense and exciting climaxes.

Sergio Garcia, already with three wins out of three to his name, and Luke Donald were hauled back from two-up to all square with four to go by Mickelson and Toms.

Colin Montgomerie, who sat out the fourballs, and Lee Westwood were level with five holes remaining against Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor, while Woods and Furyk were one-up on Dubliners Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley after eight.

Earlier, a chip-in by Darren Clarke, a vital four-foot putt by Casey and another inspired performance by Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal had kept the crowd happy despite the torrential downpours.

The two teams came out in almost identical blue, but it was easy to tell Woosnam’s men. They were the ones producing most of the good stuff early on.

Europe, who lost only one game on the opening day and had at least half a point from all 12 players, kept the momentum with a superb start.

The top three pairs established leads on the front nine and while Padraig Harrington and Henrik Stenson trailed in the bottom game it was only by one.

Going best of all were Garcia and Olazabal, who after a front nine 30 against Toms and Brett Wetterich went out in 31 against Mickelson and DiMarco.

With Olazabal making an 18-footer on the eighth and a 15-footer at the 10th and Garcia holing from 15 feet in between they charged four clear. Mickelson did birdie the short 14th, but Garcia’s bunker shot to a foot on the long 16th took Europe 6-3 ahead.

That became 7-3 on the same hole and in even more dramatic fashion when Clarke sank his chip from over the green for what was his fourth win in six cup clashes against Woods – and his partner Westwood’s fifth out of six.

They sent the world number one and Furyk, unbeaten in last year’s Presidents Cup, to their second successive defeat and Woods’ struggles of day one had clearly not been rectified.

He was in water again on the 15th and did not contribute a single birdie in the match, while Clarke’s brilliant approaches to the fourth, fifth and 11th had earned a three-hole lead and Westwood made that four with an 18-footer at the 14th.

“I do feel for Tiger because he’s such a good friend to me,” commented Clarke. The American was among those who urged the Ulsterman to make himself available for the match after his wife Heather lost her cancer fight only six weeks ago.

“He is just struggling a bit with his timing. It happen to us all, but because his standards are so high it’s highlighted a bit more.”

As for his own two-for-two success with Westwood, Europe’s two wild cards, Clarke stated: “People said we were a gamble, but two of the people most sure it was not were us. We enjoy each other’s company so much.”

Olazabal has not faced Woods, but added: “He’s had an unbelievable stretch lately (five wins in a row) and it’s very hard to to keep playing at that level. Sooner or later you are going to have a little slump.”

Lehman said: “I don’t know how you can sit down the best player in the world. That’s impossible.”

In the top game Robert Karlsson chipped in at the second and Casey birdied the fourth and eighth to help them two-up, but Cink and JJ Henry had come from three down for a half against them 24 hours earlier and that gave them hope.

Karlsson missed from under three feet at the long 10th and Henry’s magnificent eagle on the 16th and birdie on the 17th looked set to give the Americans a real boost.

That was still on the cards when Henry, surprisingly left out of both foursomes considering how well he had played on his debut, found the green in two at the par five last.

But Casey was on in two, Henry sent his 45-foot putt nine feet past and missed the return and Casey holed his four-foot birdie putt.

“That half is massive,” commented a delighted Woosnam. “It’s terrific for the side and to win the first three sessions has exceeded my expectations.”

When Harrington won the 16th to cut Scott Verplank and Johnson’s lead to one there was a chance the fourballs would get even better. But Johnson, having putted brilliantly earlier, chipped in at the 17th.

As a result Lehman’s side still had something to cling to. But the bottom line was that they had slipped further behind in the third session.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

OFX Irish Legends Media Day Paul McGinley wants to address Irish Senior Open regret
The 2016 Ryder Cup Matches - Day 1 - Afternoon Fourball Matches Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's virtual golf league to launch in January
2023 Ryder Cup – Singles Matches 'Drunken lunch' led to Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry teaming up for New Orleans
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up

Ireland's Top 10 Hidden Gems

Ten of the best golf courses in Ireland that too few people know about.

Read Here
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited