The 2018 Ryder Cup is already delivering on its reputation as one of the greatest sporting contests of all. After a disappointing opening fourballs on Friday Europe stormed back in the afternoon foursomes to seize the initiative ahead of this crucial second day.
The United States, who need 14 points to retain the trophy, will be looking to bounce back and will be hoping their big guns fire after lacklustre last session. Europe, on the other hand, will be crossing their fingers that that all important momentum carries over on what promises to be another fascinating day of golf at Le Golf National.
Follow all the latest from Paris in the live blog below:
Garcia & McIlroy (3UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Sergio Garcia is such a leader for the Europeans and although we hear a lot about his locker room team talks, he’s making a big difference for Rory out there.
McIlroy’s hit a huge push off the tee and it’s flown out of bounds at the seventh and he’s angry with himself. Garcia hugs him from behind and massages his shoulders with a chuckle. What a man.
Garcia & McIlroy (3UP) vs Koepka & Finau
And they only need one of those ten-footers. McIlroy steps up first and sinks it. Koepka and Finau are really struggling tee-to-green and they’re not going to be let off the hook like yesterday.
Fleetwood & Molinari (2UP) vs Woods & Reed
Molinari actually misses one. How dare he? They stay 2UP.
Garcia & McIlroy (2UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Koepka’s drive has gone so far into the thick stuff that a whole search party has been deployed. Garcia and McIlroy hit deft little lob wedges to within ten feet.
Fleetwood & Molinari (2UP) vs Woods & Reed
It’s getting worse and worse for the Americans here. Reed is hoping to hack it out of the long rough to the right of the par-4 fourth. He’s looking down almost as if to see if his ball is actually there and Woods is in a similar position out left. He does well to reach the greenside rough but Francesco Molinari steps up and knocks it to 20 feet. It’s looking like ‘Planet Moliwood’ will be 3UP through four
Fleetwood & Molinari (2UP) vs Woods & Reed
Woods can only chip out from the rough after his wayward tee-shot and misses his par-putt on the green. A par is good for the Europeans and the momentum out there is palpable.
Garcia & McIlroy (2UP) vs Koepka & Finau
And Finau’s bunker shot…
Garcia & McIlroy (2UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Garcia & McIlroy (2UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Take a bow Tony Finau. After a brilliant shot from McIlroy it looked as though the Europeans might grab another hole but Finau has holed his from the other side of the green.
Suddenly McIlroy’s putt is for a half and it’s a tricky left-to-right turner from 15 feet. Was he ever going to miss? He lunges into a punch and roars at the crowd.
Jonathan Liew checks in from the course:
What sort of lead do we think Europe will need going into the singles? You’ve got to assume the US will do better individually than they have done in pairs so far, and the momentum you can generate on Sunday afternoon means even a cushion of a few points won’t be impregnable. The USA famously overturned a 10-6 deficit at Brookline in 1999, Europe the same at Medinah in 2012. Europe were 9.5-6.5 at Celtic Manor in 2010 and ended up hanging on by the skin of their teeth. So as well as it’s going for Europe now, they’ll probably need a five-point lead at least to feel remotely secure this evening.
Poulter & Rahm vs Spieth & Thomas (1UP)
A sublime shot and a potential momentum swinger.
Poulter & Rahm vs Spieth & Thomas (1UP)
Finally something happens for the Americans and it’s the resurgent Jordan Spieth. The heat from his beanie has coursed into the clubface and his tee-shot at the par-3 finishes just a few feet away. It’s a simple birdie. Rahm found the water for the second hole in a row there…
Garcia & McIlroy (2UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Garcia hits a wonderful shot into the fourth hole from almost 200 yards away. Both Koepka and Finau fail to make par again so Sergio has two putts for it and the Americans concede. Garcia has been brilliant so far today.
Fleetwood & Molinari (1UP) vs Woods & Reed
Back to Ed Malyon:
Fleetwood takes out his TaylorMade M3 driver and pounds the ball down the 558-yard third hole. Reed is in the water, Woods is in the rough. Opportunity for Europe on the par 5.
Europe are up in two and level in two and Jim Furyk will be concerned with the way things are heading at the moment.
Fleetwood & Molinari (1UP) vs Woods & Reed
What a putt it was..
Fleetwood & Molinari (1UP) vs Woods & Reed
Ed Malyon on the course following Europe’s dream pair:
Planet Moliwood off to the best possible start, getting away with it on the first and halving that hole before Tommy drains a long putt to put the Europeans ahead. They got quite the reception on the first tee today and continue to be the story of the Ryder Cup so far.
Fleetwood & Molinari vs Woods & Reed (A/S)
It’s all halved at the first with pars but Molinari has hit a wonderful draw into the par-3 second. He was given free reign at it after Fleetwood found the green.
Garcia & McIlroy (1UP) vs Koepka & Finau
Finau hit the best drive of the four on the par-5 third, but pushes his second. He can’t recover either, catching it too clean and it soars over the back. McIlroy shows him how it’s done and that tap-in birdie is good enough for the hole.
Poulter & Rahm vs Spieth & Thomas
Poulter’s safely in the fairway. Rahm meanwhile has pured a wood and it’s trickled into the water after running out of fairway. Adrenaline or poor club selection?
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Preview
What time does it start?
It all gets underway at 7.10am on Saturday morning with the opening fourballs.
Where can I watch it?
The whole tournament is being broadcast on Sky Sports Golf. You can also stream it online via SkyGo. It is also available on NowTV.
For those without access to any of those The Independent will be live blogging the entire weekend.
Who’s playing?
Some of the very best golfers on the planet. Tiger Woods leads the American team while new world number one Justin Rose is Europe’s leading light.
Who’s going to win?
USA Evens
Europe 5/4
Draw 11/1
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