Europe captain Darren Clarke admitted that his side face a tough task ahead going into the final day of the Ryder Cup, as his side endeavour to make up a three-point deficit.
A disappointing afternoon on the second day of this year’s event at Hazeltine saw Europe lose the session 3-1, with USA now leading 9.5 to 6.5 points going into the singles matches on the final day.
Only Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters could add to the European tally in the four-balls, with some of Clarke’s big guns failing to fire as USA took a formidable lead in this year’s contest.
"It’s been done before from a worse position." - Clarke
McIlroy and Pieters played some scintillating golf to take the first four-ball match, never looking in danger against fellow big-hitters Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. The European pair secured a 3&1 victory on the 17th hole after a mini-revival from the Americans prevented it from finishing a couple of holes earlier.
But that strong European play could not be matched further back down the Minnesota links as first, Lee Westwood and Danny Willett threw away a lead late in the match to lose on the 18th hole, going down to JB Holmes and Ryan Moore.
Captain’s pick Westwood missed two putts from within three feet on the final two holes to hand USA an unlikely win, while Masters champions Willett failed to shine, losing his second match of the tournament.
Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer matched Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar for most of their encounter but a string of success for the Americans on the back nine saw the point going to Davis Love’s side with Mickelson securing the winning putt on the 17th in their 2&1 victory.
Patrick Reed almost single-handedly defeated Europe’s Olympic medallists Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson with USA also taking the match 2&1 on the 17th green.
Sunday #RyderCup Singles Matches! pic.twitter.com/0dBLGaf8Le
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) October 2, 2016
Speaking to Sky Sports at the end of the day’s play, captain Clarke said: “We’re going to have to work hard tomorrow and play very, very well. It’s been done before from a worse position.
“We have a big task ahead of us but the guys are capable of doing it.
“We need to believe in ourselves and go out and play.”
Earlier a pumped-up McIlroy was oozing confidence after securing his third point of the tournament alongside Pieters, albeit before he watched all three remaining matches coming out in favour of the USA side.
"It was incredible. We dovetailed really well all day and we both got off to a really good start. I kept it going around the turn before I sort of disappeared for the last few holes and Thomas took over.
“It was a fantastic match and it was back and forth for a while and this guy showed his class to get us over the line."
And McIlroy was very diplomatic when asked about the crowd, who proved very vocal, once again, throughout the second day’s play.
"I just try to get them fired up and that gets us fired up,” said McIlroy. “You have to keep your concentration out there as it is tough at times but just glad that we got it done today."
Ryder Cup After Day 2: USA 9.5 - 6.5 EUROPE
Afternoon Four-balls
- B Koepka & D Johnson v R McIlroy & T Pieters (WON 3&1)
- JB Holmes & R Moore (WON 1Up) v D Willett & L Westwood
- P Mickelson & M Kuchar (WON 2&1) M Kaymer & S Garcia
- P Reed & J Spieth (WON 2&1) J Rose & H Stenson
Morning Foursomes
- P Mickelson/ R Fowler v R McIlroy & T Pieters (WON 4&2)
- B Snedeker & B Koepka (WON 3&2) v H Stenson & M Fitzpatrick
- J Walker & Z Johnson v J Rose & C Wood (WON 1Up)
- P Reed & J Spieth v S Garcia & R Cabrera Bello (MATCH HALVED A/S)
