History Beckons For A European Ryder Cup Victory After A First Ever USA Opening Day Winning Whitwash

2 years ago by Comments Off on History Beckons For A European Ryder Cup Victory After A First Ever USA Opening Day Winning Whitwash

A victory is now very much on Europe’s side after the opening day of matches at the 44th Ryder Cup in Rome.

Luke Donald’s side first whitewashed their American rivals 4-0 in the morning foursome sessions and then denied the USA team from winning a match and managing just three half points in the afternoon fourballs for Europe to be well in command 6 1/2 points to 1 1/2.

It is the first time in the 96-year of the bienniel event that a USA has not won a match on the opening day of a Ryder Cup (tbc).

It is also an equal leading advantage for Europe since 2004 when Bernhard Langer’s team led by the same same 6 1/2 to 1 1/2 score over a Hal Sutton captained side at Oakland Hills in Michigan.

And the good news is that Langer’s team was never headed, winning 18 1/2 to 9 1/2 and the largest margin ever by a European side.

There has also been two other occasions when Europe was leading at 6 points (6 to 2 in 1987 and 6 all in 1995) after the first day and also went on to win the cup.

Prior to this week we have seen the hosting of 21 Ryder Cups and in those matches Europe has been a first day leader or tied for the lead on 13 occasions, and with the tie being in 1987 when Europe won all four day one afternoon matches to tie the Americans at 6 points apiece.

And of those 13 occasions Ryder Cup Europe has gone to win eight, including the last in 2018 when Thomas Bjorn’s led side went into day leading 5 to 3 at Le National on the outskirts of Versailles in France.

On the other five times Europe has led on day one, they lost the Ryder Cup and most notably in 1999 when a hapless led Mark James side, and leading 10-6 heading into the Singles, lost six of the opening Sunday matches and the Ryder Cup by 13 1/2 to 14 1/2.

It was Justin Rose, and who many were critical of his wildcard selection and as the oldest in both teams, who secured the half point in the closing match on the final green and ensure Europe their five point advantage heading into day two at the host Marco Simone course.

“I mean, obviously just delighted we got something out of that game,” said Rose.

“We fought really, really hard out there today and didn’t want us to be the only ones to let red be on the board the whole day long, you know what I mean. What an epic performance from the lads this morning. There were some tight, tight matches out there this afternoon.

“The 18th hole was been so incredibly kind to us. Bobby, he’s going to get his time today. He played good today and just couldn’t get the momentum going, but that’s coming. He’s going to turn that around on someone this weekend.

“That was my moment there on 18, which was for him and for us and the whole team. I haven’t had many moments in Ryder Cups, I’ve had points, but I haven’t had that many moments in the afternoon in four-balls and had the whole team around. That was immense”.

 



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