The United States regained the momentum and will take a 9 1/2 to 6 1/2 over Europe into Sunday’s decisive singles matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.
The U.S. needs only five points from the 12 singles matches to claim the Ryder Cup for t he first time since 2008 at Valhalla. Of course, Europe trailed, 10-6, before pulling off “The Miracle at Medinah” two years ago.
“We all know the deal is to do our job,” said Matt Kuchar, who was on the losing U.S. team in of the 2012. “We go out there to win our match, not worrying about how many points the team needs to close it out or win. We’re going out there to do our job, to win our match.”
The Americans posted a 3-1 record in Saturday’s afternoon four-ball matches as they try to regain the Cup after losing to the Euros the last three times and eight of the last 10.
Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth (pictured), sparked by Reed’s hole-out eagle from the fairway on the sixth hole came back from an early deficit to win four straight holes on the front nine and two more late to defeat Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson of Sweden, 2 and 1.
“I told Ian Poulter (of England) back in 2012 that he was built for the Ryder Cup, and I think Patrick Reed is built for the Ryder Cup too,” U.S. Captain Davis Love III said. “He’s got that attitude.
“Obviously that’s going to be a fun match to watch in two of the best players in the game going at it. But you just go down the list, there’s great match after great match after great match.”
J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore won 1 up when Lee Westwood of England, teamed with Masters champion Danny Willett, also of England, missed a short par put on the 18th hole.
The other U.S. victory in the afternoon came when Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar led from the third hole on to beat Martin Kaymer of Germany and Sergio Garcia of Spain, 2 and 1.
Europe’s only point in four-ball came when Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Thomas Pieters of Belgium, claimed their third straight point with a 3-and-1 victory over Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson in a battle of long hitters.
“It’s pretty cool to have three points with Rory,” said Pieters, a Ryder Cup rookie. “I think we’ll have this team for a while longer.”
Said European Captain Darren Clarke: “Certainly we were hoping for a lot better, but Ryder Cup teams have come back from further down. The guys will be disappointed that they didn’t do a little bit better this afternoon, but you know, it’s not over yet.
“We’re going to have to work hard and play very, very well tomorrow. It’s been done from a worse position. We have a big task ahead of us, but the guys are capable of doing it.”
The Americans, who built on a 4-0 lead in the first session on Friday but finished the day with only a 5-3 lead, saw that shrink to 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 when Europe won two matches and halved another in Saturday morning foursomes.
Garcia and fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello came back from a 4-down deficit with six to play to earn a half point against Reed and Spieth.
McIlroy and Pieters gained a 3-up advantage through five holes and cruised to a 4-and-2 victory over Mickelson and Rickie Fowler, while Rose and Chris Wood of England downed Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker, 1 up.
Koepka and Brandt Snedeker, pulled away late after leading early against Stenson and Matthew Fitzpatrick of England to claim a 3-and-2 victory.
