Ryder Cup organizers were hoping and planning for a Sunday finish but the rainy weather said differently as the final day’s 12 singles matches were postponed until Monday. This is the first Monday finish ever in the long history of the Ryder Cup.
From Team USA’s perspective, it was probably a welcome relief as Team Europe gave them a Sunday shellacking they will not soon forget. The Americans hope to turn the tide against the Europeans when play resumes in the morning.
Momentum, a key factor in these team competitions was heavily on the side of the Europeans on Sunday. A day before it was on the side of the Americans as they led 6 to 4. On Sunday, the Europeans won five of the matches and halved another for 5.5 points out of a possible 6 points, for a Sunday accumulated score of 9.5 to 6.5 heading into the singles matches on Monday.
European Captain Colin Montgomery said, “In my time, 20 years in the Ryder Cup, this is one of the greatest days for European golf we’ve ever had.”
A big reason for the momentum swing back to the Europeans was the trouncing of world No. 1 Tiger Woods and his partner Steve Stricker in the first match on Sunday by the English duo of Lee Westwood and Luke Donald. The score was an embarrassing 6 and 5, or 6 holes won with 5 to play, one of Tiger Woods’s worst defeats in Ryder Cup history. This drubbing was unexpected as the Woods/Stricker pairing was undefeated in their two Saturday matches.
When asked if Team USA could come from behind as it has done in the past, Woods said, “Absolutely, we have done it before and no reason why we can’t do it again.”
Team USA needs 14 points to retain the cup they won in 2008 in Valhalla, Kentucky. The Europeans need 14.5 points to win back the cup from the Americans. All Team Euro needs to do is win 5 of the 12 singles matches or 5 points from any combination of won or halved matches to win the cup.
U.S. captain Corey Pavin’s squad needs to win 7.5 more points to retain the cup. Not impossible, but certainly a tough task for the Americans considering the loud, biased fans, performing as Europe’s 13th player.
The first singles match for Monday morning pits Steve Stricker against Lee Westwood, with each side hoping its leadoff player can get a win and start the momentum rolling for their side.
Monday’s Singles Pairings – USA vs. Europe
Steve Stricker vs. Lee Westwood
Stewart Cink vs. Rory McIlroy
Jim Furyk vs. Luke Donald
Dustin Johnson vs. Martin Kaymer
Matt Kuchar vs. Ian Poulter
Jeff Overton vs. Ross Fisher
Bubba Watson vs. Miguel Angel Jimenez
Tiger Woods vs. Francesco Molinari
Rickie Fowler vs. Edoardo Molinari
Phil Mickelson vs. Peter Hanson
Zach Johnson vs. Padraig Harrington
Hunter Mahan vs. Graeme McDowell
From Team USA’s perspective, it was probably a welcome relief as Team Europe gave them a Sunday shellacking they will not soon forget. The Americans hope to turn the tide against the Europeans when play resumes in the morning.
Momentum, a key factor in these team competitions was heavily on the side of the Europeans on Sunday. A day before it was on the side of the Americans as they led 6 to 4. On Sunday, the Europeans won five of the matches and halved another for 5.5 points out of a possible 6 points, for a Sunday accumulated score of 9.5 to 6.5 heading into the singles matches on Monday.
European Captain Colin Montgomery said, “In my time, 20 years in the Ryder Cup, this is one of the greatest days for European golf we’ve ever had.”
A big reason for the momentum swing back to the Europeans was the trouncing of world No. 1 Tiger Woods and his partner Steve Stricker in the first match on Sunday by the English duo of Lee Westwood and Luke Donald. The score was an embarrassing 6 and 5, or 6 holes won with 5 to play, one of Tiger Woods’s worst defeats in Ryder Cup history. This drubbing was unexpected as the Woods/Stricker pairing was undefeated in their two Saturday matches.
When asked if Team USA could come from behind as it has done in the past, Woods said, “Absolutely, we have done it before and no reason why we can’t do it again.”
Team USA needs 14 points to retain the cup they won in 2008 in Valhalla, Kentucky. The Europeans need 14.5 points to win back the cup from the Americans. All Team Euro needs to do is win 5 of the 12 singles matches or 5 points from any combination of won or halved matches to win the cup.
U.S. captain Corey Pavin’s squad needs to win 7.5 more points to retain the cup. Not impossible, but certainly a tough task for the Americans considering the loud, biased fans, performing as Europe’s 13th player.
The first singles match for Monday morning pits Steve Stricker against Lee Westwood, with each side hoping its leadoff player can get a win and start the momentum rolling for their side.
Monday’s Singles Pairings – USA vs. Europe
Steve Stricker vs. Lee Westwood
Stewart Cink vs. Rory McIlroy
Jim Furyk vs. Luke Donald
Dustin Johnson vs. Martin Kaymer
Matt Kuchar vs. Ian Poulter
Jeff Overton vs. Ross Fisher
Bubba Watson vs. Miguel Angel Jimenez
Tiger Woods vs. Francesco Molinari
Rickie Fowler vs. Edoardo Molinari
Phil Mickelson vs. Peter Hanson
Zach Johnson vs. Padraig Harrington
Hunter Mahan vs. Graeme McDowell
