Dahlberg: A morning sweep, an afternoon stumble

There is rarely a shortage of drama in the Ryder Cup – and that’s before it gets started. The Europeans won three of the four matches in the afternoon after losing all four of the morning matches.

Stenson produced some stunning golf alongside Justin Rose to help Europe take a two hole lead over United States duo Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.

However, Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters ensured Europe cut America’s lead by getting the better of Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar in the most competitive match of the foursomes.

As the opening foursomes progressed, the only blue on the scoreboard came courtesy of Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer, after Rory McIlroy and Andy Sullivan were pinned back by Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. We’re looking forward to this week and these matches and this first session we have coming up tomorrow morning.

The United States lead Europe 5-3 entering Saturday’s four morning alternate shot foursomes and four afternoon four-ball matches at Hazeltine, where the biennial team golf event concludes with 12 singles matches on Sunday.

The German holed a memorable seven-foot putt on the 18th green to ensure the visitors retained the trophy four years ago, capping the remarkable “Miracle at Medinah” comeback victory over the United States in IL.

And based on the last Ryder Cup on American soil, not until it’s over.

Quotable: “I bowed to them, said, ‘You’re welcome for the show, ‘ and we move on”.

Mickelson pushed for the creation of the much talked about Ryder Cup task force, a group including Tiger Woods, captain Davis Love III and Tom Lehman that was dedicated to identifying the problems and giving the players a bigger say in the process.

He told Sky at the end of play: “We had a great morning, we got beat by a team playing unbelievable golf this afternoon”.

McIlroy sealed the point for he and his Belgian Pieters after converting a tricky downhill eagle putt on the 16th green, prompting an emotional and out-of-character celebration from him.

Match 4: Dustin Johnson & Matt Kuchar vs.

“It’s a hostile environment out there and I just want everyone that’s watching out there to know how much this means to us, how much it means to me personally and obviously us as a team”. They ran off nine birdies over the next 13 holes. Spieth made birdie putts at the second and third to win both holes.

“I am so proud to be captain and that pride stems from the people that I am representing, and the players are at the top of that list”, said Clarke. It was a good day. “I know Darren is happy with the momentum”.

After fighting back in the second session, Clarke now hopes his side have gained crucial momentum. But Montgomerie did that very, very well; that he thought, “I think Kaymer can play the best with Westwood together”. Sullivan found water off the par-3 17th tee while the USA duo birdied to retake the lead for good.