Europe holds 7-point lead on U.S. coming into Ryder Cup singles

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Team Europe already had demolished and disheartened the Americans in one other Ryder Cup romp Saturday, and it wasn’t completed.

The closing match of an extended, loud and obnoxious day at Bethpage Black was all sq. when Matt Fitzpatrick blasted out of a fairway bunker and heard European cheers when his ball spun again to 2 toes away. Next to play was Tyrrell Hatton, whose shot into the 18th gap spun again and nicked his teammate’s ball.

It summed up how the beautiful golf of the European crew, which took on each problem — beginning with a gallery so hostile that additional safety was required — and entered the Ryder Cup file e book for the most important lead within the fashionable format: Europe 11.5, United States 4.5.

“I didn’t really imagine this,” European captain Luke Donald mentioned.

Europe must win solely three of the 12 singles matches Sunday to take that treasured gold trophy again dwelling throughout the Atlantic Ocean. Donald has turned to 45-year-old Justin Rose to steer off in opposition to Cameron Young, adopted by Tommy Fleetwood, who can change into the primary European to go 5-0 on the street and simply the fifth participant total to go 5-0.

The most important attraction is Rory McIlroy in opposition to Scottie Scheffler, the sport’s prime two gamers who’ve three majors and 10 victories this 12 months between them.

The actual attraction is Europe. The louder and extra vulgar it bought, the higher they performed.

“Things got tougher out there, and it fired them up even more,” Donald mentioned. “They were able to get better through those difficult moments out there. That is what makes me most proud as a captain, just their ability to take the punches and come back even stronger.”

McIlroy caught the brunt of verbal abuse and at one level, turned to the spectators and mentioned, “Shut the f— up!”. And then he stuffed his shot to five toes for birdie that closed out the foursomes match on the sixteenth gap for one more blue level.

There was nothing the not-so-mighty U.S. crew might do.

“I think it’s one of the best performances of a road team in any sport. They have played incredible. They have played great. They have putted even better,” U.S. captain Keegan Bradley mentioned. “They have come into a hostile environment and played great golf.

“You know, typically as a competitor, as an athlete, it’s important to take a step again and once more form of tip your cap to one thing like that.”

That’s about all he could do.

Europe became the fourth team to win each of the first four sessions of a single Ryder Cup. Each of the previous teams won singles play as well for good measure.

The previous record after the four sessions of team play was 11-5. No team has rallied from more than a four-point deficit on the last day.

Scheffler also made it into the Ryder Cup record book. The world’s No. 1 player is the first to go 0-4 under the current format.

The Americans had a lead in only three of the 70 holes played in four-balls Saturday afternoon. U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun hit it tight on the 17th and 18th for birdies as he and fellow San Diego State alum Xander Schauffele squeezed out one of only two U.S. points on the day.

The other belonged to Bryson DeChambeau and Young in the opening foursomes match.

“The course is ready up comparatively simple, and so they’re making plenty of birdies and we’re not,” Schauffele said. “They’re simply beating us flat-out, and I’m simply completely satisfied to get some extent with J.J. A bit of little bit of pink on the board is a win right this moment.”

At stake for Europe on Sunday is a chance to break the record for the biggest rout — 19-9 by the Americans at Whistling Straits in 2021.

Bradley was asked what message he will give to his team to keep hopes alive, and the New England native pointed to the New England Patriots’ stunning comeback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017.

“Twenty-eight to 3. I used to be at that Super Bowl,” Bradley said. “I watched it. What a cool factor to have witnessed stay in individual.”

The manner this Ryder Cup has performed out, 11.5-4.5 feels a lot greater.

Information from ESPN Research and The Associated Press was used on this report.