Chaska, Minnesota …
History is already against the Darren Clarke European Team winning a fourth Ryder Cup in succession.
Bizarrely, not since 1975 when the now late Arnold Palmer captained the USA side has a European Team (or then GB & I side) have not won a single point in the first session of a Ryder Cup.
That was 41 years ago and with Palmer’s golf bag from that 1975 Ryder Cup on the first tee at Hazeltine like a beacon of inspiration to the 2016 USA team,
Before that the 1947 GB & I team were beaten in all four matches on the first day.
Anyway here is a run down of Europe’s misfortune in the morning Foursomes.
Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson lose 3 & 2 to Patrick Reed/Jordan Spieth
Justin Rose and Henrick, first and second in the recent Olympics, were undefeated at Gleneagles winning at will but were never in front after Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed combined to birdie the second and third holes. It was not to the 11th hole Europe managed a first and only birdie.
The win meant Spieth and Reed have now earned 3 ½ points from their four matches since the first day in 2014.
“Henrik and I made only one mistake out there, one bogey, and we just didn’t capitalise on the putts, and really just couldn’t buy a putt,” said Rose.
USA 1` – Europe O
Rory McIlroy/Andy Sullivan lose 1up to Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson.
Europe were 2up after seven holes but when Rory McIlroy put his approach shot into the water at seven and then found a bunker at the next, it was just the incentive Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson needed.
They won both holes and the ninth to be 1up heading to the turn before a USA bogey at 11 squared the match.
McIlroy re-found his putting touch and Europe got back to 2up after 14 but they lost the next three, 16 and 17 to birdies, for the Americans to hold on for 1up triumph.
It was Mickelson’s 17th victory point in 42 matches and Fowler’s first win in 9 starts.
“When I first met him (Fowler) many years ago, he was something special,” said Mickelson.
USA 2 – Europe 0
Sergio Garcia/Martin Kaymer lose 4 & 2 to Jimmy Walker/Zach Johnson
Each side bogeyed the first but from there on for the next 10 holes Europe hung on to a 1up lead. The tide turned for the pair of Serigo Garcia and Martin Kaymer when they bogeyed the 12th and with the States pairing of Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson picking up birdies 13 and 14.
And when Europe bogeyed 15 the writing on the wall with the Stars and Stripes making it three wins from three matches with a 4 & 2 success.
“I was really nervous starting out, hit some pretty squirrelly shots but Zach kept us going,” said reining PGA champion Walker.
USA 3 – Europe 0
Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar hand out the biggest defeat in the first session – 5 & 4 – to Lee Westwood and Thomas Pieters.
Lee Westwood/Thomas Pieters lose 5 & 4 to Dustin Johnson/Matt Kuchar.
Starting with back-to-back by Lee Westwood and Thomas Pieters bogeys simply gifted the States a dream start, and with Dustin Johnson soon making Europe pay with his prodigious length off the tee.
The match was virtually over when the struggling Westwood sent his drive into the drink at seven to hand their rivals a 4up advantage that was soon 5up when ‘DJ’ and ‘Kuch’ combined to birdie the eighth.
Both sides birdied the 14th but it was there the match ended and the 5 & 4 score the biggest of the session.
Westwood paid the price for his poor showing sitting out the afternoon Fourballs.
Four matches, four wins for the States and bizarrely the first time since 1975 when the later Arnold Palmer captained the side.
“Arnold’s passing was a shock for both teams but little things like that made this team bond together really well,” said Captain Davis Love 111.
USA 4 – Europe 0
