Golf:Rory McIlroy was a completely different animal today and his inspired three birdies in five holes were enough to secure a halved match in the fourballs alongside Graeme McDowell. But it wasn't enough to prevent the Americans taking a 2.5 to 1.5 lead after the opening fourballs.
The Irish pair resumed play trailing Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar by two holes and were in need of fresh ideas. The creativity flowed and McDowell for one was thoroughly impressed by his partner’s return to top form. McIlroy drained a monster putt for birdie at the 17th to get the match back to all-square and his reaction said it all; finally the 21 year-old was pumped and into the Ryder Cup buzz.
“The kid was unbelievable this morning,” beamed McDowell, who will pair up with McIlroy once more for the next session of foursomes and will play Cink and Kuchar once more.
“We both struggled yesterday. It was Rory’s first experience of the atmosphere and it was hard to get any rhythm going yesterday with the stop/start nature of the day. But this guy was off the charts this morning. He’s one of the best players in the world and one of the keys to winning the Ryder Cup is having a great partner, and I’ve got one.”
When the fourballs eventually finished at 10.45am it was advantage USA, who lead 2.5 1.5 with Pádraig Harrington in a dark place and struggling badly with his form.
The triple major winner was always up against it when playing alongside Luke Donald and up against the inspired rookie pairing of Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton. The Europeans eventually lost 3 and 2. It was the first time a rookie pairing has won a match in the opening session since 1979.
The match in front went down to the wire before Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker closed out the win on the 18th against Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter. Europe’s most inspired result came in the top match when Lee Westwood and Martin denied Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson 3 and 2. Europe never trailed any point in the match.
Next up in the revised format comes six sets of foursomes matches. From here on in there is no hiding place as all 12 players on each side will be in action in the race to get this thing finished.
The all-Italian pairing of Edoardo and Francesco Molinari are in the second match against Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan but they will take to the course first to give Woods and Stricker time to get off the course and prepare for their new match. The Americans will take on Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson.
It has become apparent Harrington has no obvious playing partner and this time around Colin Montgomerie opted to play the Dubliner alongside Ross Fisher in the alternate shots format and will surely face a tough assignment against Mickelson and Dustin Johnson.
With the revamped schedule a new extended third session will comprise two foursomes and four fourball encounters.
Session One Fourball results
Europe 1-5 USA 2.5
Lee Westwood/Martin Kaymer defeated Phil Mickelson/Dustin Johnson 3 and 2
Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell halved with Stewart Cink/Matt Kuchar
Ian Poulter/Ross Fisher lost to Steve Stricker /Tiger Woods 2 holes
Luke Donald/ Pádraig Harrington lost to Bubba Watson/Jeff Overton 3 and 2
Session Two Foursomes
Miguel Angel Jimenez/Peter Hanson v Tiger Woods/ Steve Stricker
Edoardo Molinari/Francesco Molinari v Zach Johnson/Hunter Mahan
Lee Westwood/Martin Kaymer v Jim Furyk/Rickie Fowler
Pádraig Harrington/Ross Fisher v Phil Mickelson/Dustin Johnson
Ian Poulter/Luke Donald v Bubba Watson/Jeff Overton
Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell v Stewart Cink/Matt Kuchar