US takes lead on Europe
Source: Agencies |
October 1, 2012, Monday
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PHIL Mickelson and Keegan Bradley helped stake the Americans to their biggest lead in the Ryder Cup in more than 30 years. Ian Poulter, eyes bulging and fists shaking with every clutch putt, at least gave Europe some big momentum over the final frantic hour on Saturday at Medinah.
Right when it looked as if the Americans were a lock to win back the cup, Poulter birdied his last five holes to win a crucial point and keep everyone guessing.
The Americans still had a sizable 10-6 lead. Europe at least had hope.
"The last two putts were massive," European captain Jose Maria Olazabal said after watching Poulter stay undefeated in this Ryder Cup by rolling in one last birdie putt from 12 feet. "That gives us a chance. It's been done before in the past. Tomorrow is a big day."
Only one team has ever rallied from four points behind on the final day - the United States in that famous comeback at Brookline in 1999. Olazabal remembers it well. He was in the decisive match when Justin Leonard rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
Is the European captain a big believer in fate?
"I believe momentum will come our way," Olazabal said. "Why not tomorrow?"
The final two matches on Saturday were a showcase of what the Ryder Cup is all about - one brilliant shot after another, birdies on every hole, suspense at every turn.
Donald and Sergio Garcia were on the verge of blowing a 4-up lead to hard-charging Woods and Steve Stricker, when Donald matched two birdies with Woods, including a tee shot into the 17th that landed 2 feet from the cup.
Woods and Stricker lost all three of their matches, even though Woods made five birdies on the back nine for the second straight day.
Woods was thinking more of the big picture.
"Being up four is nice," he said. "We are in a great spot right now to win the cup."
Poulter and McIlroy were 2 down with six holes to play against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson when McIlroy made a 15-foot birdie putt on the 13th. Poulter took it from there.
"We had to make birdies, and wow! Five in a row. It was awesome," Poulter said. "I've got the world No. 1 at my side, backing me up. It allowed me to hit some golf shots."
The crowd was still buzzing as it filed out of Medinah, and Poulter grinned.
"It's pretty fun, this Ryder Cup," said Poulter, who raised his career record to 11-3-0.
Davis Love III became the first US captain since 1979 to make sure each of his players sat out at least one match before the final day.
He has to wait to find out whether it works.
Right when it looked as if the Americans were a lock to win back the cup, Poulter birdied his last five holes to win a crucial point and keep everyone guessing.
The Americans still had a sizable 10-6 lead. Europe at least had hope.
"The last two putts were massive," European captain Jose Maria Olazabal said after watching Poulter stay undefeated in this Ryder Cup by rolling in one last birdie putt from 12 feet. "That gives us a chance. It's been done before in the past. Tomorrow is a big day."
Only one team has ever rallied from four points behind on the final day - the United States in that famous comeback at Brookline in 1999. Olazabal remembers it well. He was in the decisive match when Justin Leonard rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
Is the European captain a big believer in fate?
"I believe momentum will come our way," Olazabal said. "Why not tomorrow?"
The final two matches on Saturday were a showcase of what the Ryder Cup is all about - one brilliant shot after another, birdies on every hole, suspense at every turn.
Donald and Sergio Garcia were on the verge of blowing a 4-up lead to hard-charging Woods and Steve Stricker, when Donald matched two birdies with Woods, including a tee shot into the 17th that landed 2 feet from the cup.
Woods and Stricker lost all three of their matches, even though Woods made five birdies on the back nine for the second straight day.
Woods was thinking more of the big picture.
"Being up four is nice," he said. "We are in a great spot right now to win the cup."
Poulter and McIlroy were 2 down with six holes to play against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson when McIlroy made a 15-foot birdie putt on the 13th. Poulter took it from there.
"We had to make birdies, and wow! Five in a row. It was awesome," Poulter said. "I've got the world No. 1 at my side, backing me up. It allowed me to hit some golf shots."
The crowd was still buzzing as it filed out of Medinah, and Poulter grinned.
"It's pretty fun, this Ryder Cup," said Poulter, who raised his career record to 11-3-0.
Davis Love III became the first US captain since 1979 to make sure each of his players sat out at least one match before the final day.
He has to wait to find out whether it works.
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