Ryder Cup: Rory roars but U.S. in control (barely)

The question that had many onlookers shaking their heads prior to the afternoon four-ball session was why U.S. captain Davis Love III put Phil Mickelson in while leaving Brandt Snedeker on the bench.

To this point, Mickelson had been shaky at best, going 1-1 including a 4&2 loss Saturday morning. Snedeker, meanwhile, had been perfect, winning both his matches easily (5&4 Friday afternoon, 3&2 Saturday morning).

And what did Phil do?

Poured in five birdies to Kuchar’s four in a 2&1 victory that was absolutely huge for the American side.

While the U.S. held a 1-point lead heading into the afternoon session, it certainly felt like it were behind, having surrendered an early 4-0 lead and losing ground in each of the last two sessions. With Rory McIlroy draining everything this side of Steph Curry and Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth struggling to put anything away, the Mickelson/Kuchar pairing emerged as a must-win for the Americans as the afternoon wore on.

Give Love credit for the call (or maybe Mickelson who along with Tiger Woods has been making quite a few decisions for this team). And give Mickelson (and Kuchar) credit for answering the call.

The U.S. wound up winning three of the four afternoon matches (see below). Heading to Sunday’s singles play, the U.S. holds a 9½-6½ lead. To win the Cup for the first time in eight years, the American squad needs 14½ points.

Match recaps:

Rory McIlroy/Thomas Pieters (EUR) def. Brooks Koepka/Dustin Johnson (USA) 3&1

Match note: It was Rory vs. the World out on the course, as McIlroy was taking it right to the partisan U.S. crowd. He didn’t care. He and Pieters were draining birdie after birdie. Koepka and Johnson were 9-under (in 17 holes) as a crew and LOST.

J.B. Holmes/Ryan Moore (USA) def. Danny Willett/Lee Westwood (EUR) 1 UP

Match note: Lee Westwood missed a short putt on 17 to hand the U.S. a 1-up leading heading to 18, then stuck his approach on 18 to within three feet and … missed the putt to gift the match to the Americans.

Phil Mickelson/Matt Kuchar (USA) def. Martin Kaymer/Sergio Garcia (EUR) 2&1

Match note: The Phil Curtsy. The Kuch Shimmy. (Watch at top) Words never before spoken (or considered) until the Ryder Cup got ahold of these Fred Astaires.

Patrick Reed/Jordan Spieth (USA) def. Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson (EUR) 2&1

Match note: Patrick Reed played like an absolute beast, carrying the former No. 1 player in the world to victory. He carded six birdies, an eagle and won all six holes the American duo claimed.

Golf clap goes to … Rory McIlroy

What do you do when a crowd of thousands gives you the business by singing a song referencing your ex-fiancée? If you’re Rory McIlroy, you give it right back.

Caroline is an obvious reference to Caroline Wozniacki, to whom McIlroy was once engaged.

Drop the mic, Rory, drop the mic.

Concern for Spieth

It was a struggle for Jordan Spieth Saturday afternoon. And that has to concern the U.S. squad heading into Sunday’s singles, when there will be no hiding.

Spieth carded one birdie and didn’t contribute a single winning hole in four-ball play. He hit rock bottom on the par-3 17th when he plunked his drive in the water, leaving Reed to win it on his own … which he did.

Coming into this Ryder Cup, Spieth had to be considered the cornerstone of the American squad. Not so much anymore.

Fore!

This is what happens when they let everyone and their father inside the ropes, which they do at the Ryder Cup. Seriously, the landing spot of Brooks Koepka’s drive on No. 5 was the back of Thomas Pieters’ father.

Check it out:

What’s next?

Singles. Mano a mano.

All 12 players from each side will square off in 12 singles matches, which begin at 12:04 p.m. ET.

Match 1 (12:04 p.m.): Patrick Reed (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy (EUR)

Match 2 (12:15): Jordan Spieth vs. Henrick Stenson

Match 3 (12:26): J.B. Holmes vs. Thomas Pieters

Match 4 (12:37): Rickie Fowler vs. Justin Rose

Match 5 (12:48): Jimmy Walker vs. Rafa Cabrera Bello

Match 6 (12:59): Phil Mickelson vs. Sergio Garcia

Match 7 (1:10): Ryan Moore vs. Lee Westwood

Match 8 (1:21): Brandt Snedeker vs. Andy Sullivan

Match 9 (1:32): Dustin Johnson vs. Chris Wood

Match 10 (1:43): Brookes Koepka vs. Danny Willett

Match 11 (1:54): Matt Kuchar vs. Martin Kaymer

Match 12 (2:05): Zach Johnson vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick