2018 Ryder Cup: Morning match roundup
The Ryder Cup begins Saturday with the United States down 5-3, and Europe looking strong and borderline untouchable. Can the U.S. make a match of it? Let’s see.
Garcia & McIlroy def. Koepka & Finau, 2&1
Sergio Garcia eliminated every bit of doubt about captain Thomas Bjorn picking him by putting like he was two decades younger, and the Rory McIlroy of Saturday morning bore no resemblance to the shambling zombie of Friday morning. Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau mounted a tough comeback, winning three straight holes to make a match out of it, but Garcia drained a long birdie to clinch on the 17th hole.
Current overall score: Europe 6, USA 3
Casey & Hatton def. Johnson & Fowler, 3&2
This one wasn’t really in doubt for long, as Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton won four of the first eight holes, and never let Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson get anywhere close. Casey, another vet whose selection drew second guesses, justified his selection by almost singlehandedly torching the American duo, while Hatton hung on to snag his first-ever Ryder Cup win.
Current overall score: Europe 7, USA 3
Molinari & Fleetwood def. Woods & Reed, 4&3
Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood are absolute beasts, destroying all they see at this year’s Ryder Cup. They torched Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed, the U.S.’s theoretical alpha dogs, without even breaking a sweat in the chilly Paris morning. Woods and Reed never seemed close to comfortable, spraying shots all over the course and into the water, and their failure puts the U.S. in serious trouble.
Current overall score: Europe 8, USA 3
Thomas & Spieth def. Poulter & Rahm, 2&1
Justin Thomas almost singlehandedly stops the bleeding for the United States, draining key putts across the entire back nine to hold off Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm. On a terrible morning for the United States’ hopes, Thomas gives the Americans a tiny shot of adrenaline rolling into the afternoon.
Current overall score: Europe 8, USA 4
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.
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