Ryder Cup: Team USA take three-point lead (9.5-6.5)  into Sunday singles

SKYSPORTS.COM

By Keith Jackson at Hazeltine

Europe need to pull off a comeback to rival the Miracle at Medinah after Team USA dominated the Saturday four-balls to open up a commanding three-point lead at the Ryder Cup.

Results and singles draw

The Ryder Cup, Hazeltine National

Darren Clarke's side halved the overnight two-point deficit after a vastly improved performance in the morning foursomes, but only Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters avoided defeat in the second session of four-ball play, won 3-1 by the Americans,  as the United States ended the second day needing just five points from Sunday's 12 singles to reclaim the trophy.
Lee Westwood missed a great chance to snatch a half in match two as he blocked a birdie putt of barely two feet on the final. green, while Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar were too good for Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer.
A fired-up Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth capped a 3-1 session win against Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson.

The second day was also marred by some unsavoury scenes among the boisterous crowd, with reports of fans being removed from Hazeltine National after several European players were subjected to verbal abuse, despite the efforts of the American players calling for decorum.
McIlroy and Pieters led throughout from the second hole onwards in their foursomes win over Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson, and it was a near-identical scenario against Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka in the afternoon after an early McIlroy birdie.
Pieters then took them two ahead when he drove the green at the fifth and converted the putt for eagle, and a McIlroy birdie at the ninth put them four up at the turn.


 Saturday Afternoon Four-Ball Results: 

Rory McIlroy-Thomas Pieters (3 and 1) beat Dustin Johnson-Brooks Koepka

Phil Mickelson-Matt Kuchar (2 and 1) beat  Sergio Garcia-Martin Kaymer

J.B. Holmes-Ryan Moore (1 hole) beat. Danny Willett-Lee Westwood

Patrick Reed-Jordan Spieth (2 and 1) beat Henrik Stenson-Justin Rose

 

Full Standings:

USA: 9.5

​Europe: 6.5