Europe Opens Lead to 4 Points at Ryder Cup

Team Europe’s strategy worked so well on Friday, the Ryder Cup two-time defending champions went right back to it on Saturday.

Europe let the Americans get close in the morning session, then blew them out in the afternoon for a second consecutive day of competition to go up 10-6 entering Sunday.

Europe needs just four points (of 12 possible) to retain the Ryder Cup, and 4-1/2 to win it outright.

Ironically, 10-6 was the US’ lead two years ago when Europe rallied from a dramatic 14-1/2 to 13-1/2 win.

The US will go young on Saturday, with team captain Tom Watson sending Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Rickie Fowler out first – all three men are 25 or younger and none have played in the competition before.

Reed and Spieth combined to beat Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer 5 & 3 in the morning four-ball, and the US also got points from Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk defeating Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood 4 & 3.

The US managed 2-1/2 points in the morning session, but Europe ran away with the afternoon foursomes, as Jamie Donaldson/Lee Westwood; Sergio Garcia/Rory McIlroy; and Victor Dubuisson/Graeme McDowell all won points, while Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose halved with Spieth and Reed.