With the Americans trailing the Europeans 10-6 entering the final day of competition, it’s imperative they get off to a fast start. And that is exactly what they did. The singles lineup featured a key match to start the day.
Justin Thomas vs. Rory McIlroy
Paul Casey vs. Brooks Koepka
Webb Simpson vs. Justin Rose
Tiger Woods vs. Jon Rahm
Tony Finau vs. Tommy Fleetwood
Dustin Johnson vs. Ian Poulter
Jordan Spieth vs. Thorbjorn Olesen
Rickie Fowler vs. Sergio Garcia
Phil Mickelson vs. Francesco Molinari
Patrick Reed vs. Tyrrell Hatton
Bubba Watson vs. Henrik Stenson
Bryson DeChambeau vs. Alex Noren
Justin Thomas (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy (EUR)
Thomas won the first hole and then dropped 3 in a row to McIlroy. By the 10th hole, Thomas had clawed his way back to all square. McIlroy won 13 and Thomas answered with a birdie to even it up after 14. Coming to the 18th tee the tension was thick in the air. Thomas drive landed in the fairway, McIlroy’s in the bunker. Out of the bunker and into the water left McIlroy little hope. Europe conceding the hole, gave America its first victory of the day. Score Europe 10-7
Paul Casey (EUR) vs. Brooks Koepka (USA)
Koepka and Casey slugged it out all match long. Casey one down after 13 tied the match with a birdie on 17. When each player parred the 18th it became the first match of the tournament to be halved. Score Europe 10.5-7.5
Webb Simpson (USA) vs. Justin Rose (EUR)
Simpson fired out of the gate to post a 4-1 lead after 9 holes. The players traded 1 win each and the back nine. Simpson’s win on the 15th hole closed out the match with the U.S. 3 up with 2 to play. Score Europe 10.5 -8.5
Tony Finau (USA) vs. Tommy Fleetwood (EUR)
Fleetwood had been an American wrecking crew. But Tony Finau took care of business for the U.S. He destroyed the European 6 up with 4 to play ending their match early and pulling the American Team to within 1. Score Europe 10.5-9.5
Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Thorbjorn Olesen (EUR)
Normally reliable Jordan Spieth could never get it going against Thorbjorn Olesen. In another match that ended early, the Americans lost 5 down with 4 to play. Score Europe 11.5-9.5
Tiger Woods (USA) vs. Jon Rahm (EUR)
Tiger and his partners had not won a single point for the U.S. team going winless through the first two days of the tournament. Tiger went down 2-0 early. But, he fought back to all square after 12 holes. Losses on 13 and 14 put Tiger down 2 with 4 to play. But, a missed short putt by Rahm on 16 opened the door. However, a birdie by Rahm on 17 closed things out for the Europeans 2 up with 1 to play. Score Europe 12.5-9.5
Dustin Johnson (USA) vs. Ian Poulter (EUR)
The match between Johnson and Poulter was another slugfest. Johnson was up 4-3 after 12 holes. Then Poulter won 3 holes in a row to go 2 up. A birdie on the Par 3 16th brought Johnson back to within 1 hole with 2 to play. Things were looking desperate for the Americans. Pars for both players sent the match to 18 with the U.S. still down and only able to salvage a halve if Johnson could win the hole. A birdie by Poulter on 18 sealed the match 2 up for the Europeans. The win virtually assured the Ryder Cup returning to Europe as the U.S. trailed in most matches still to be determined. Score Europe 13.5-9.5
Phil Mickelson (USA) vs. Francesco Molinari (EUR)
With this possibly being Phil Mickelson’s final appearance in the Ryder Cup, it’s a shame his match sealed the win for the Europeans. Molinari put the nail in the coffin with a 4 up with 2 to play victory. Giving the Europeans the Cup. Score 14.5-9.5
The remaining matches played out as follows.
- Henrik Stenson (EUR) defeated Bubba Watson (USA) 5 & 4
- Sergio Garcia (EUR) defeated Rickie Fowler (USA) 2 & 1
- Patrick Reed (USA) defeated Tyrrell Hatton (EUR) 3 & 2
- Alex Noren (EUR) defeated Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 1 Up
When the biennial competition resumes in 2020 the tournament returns to U.S. soil. One of the great championship courses in the United States, Whistling Straits, in Kohler, Wisconsin will host the 2020 Ryder cup. The Straights have played host to 3 PGA Championships and a U.S. Senior Open. Visit the PGA website for ticket information to the event.
