Capsules from Saturday's matches

Capsules from Saturday's matches


7 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) — A capsule look at Saturday's matches at the Ryder Cup:

FOURBALLS

Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, Europe, def. Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, United States, 3 and 2.

This match set a Ryder Cup record for most birdies by both teams (21) and by one team (12). The quality was as good as any match ever played in the Ryder Cup. Watson and Kuchar twice took an early lead and stretched it to 2 up through six holes. The turning point for Europe came at No. 7 when Rose missed an 8-foot putt and Stenson made his from just inside. That sent them on their way. The Europeans birdied the final 10 holes of the match, and the Americans could hang on for only so long. Pars on the 12th and 13th set them back, and a par on the par-5 16th ended this thriller.

Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan, United States, def. Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood, Europe, 4 and 3.

Furyk took on his 16th partner in nine Ryder Cups, and this one was a winner. Mahan made birdie on the first hole and the Americans never trailed for the rest of the day. On a day when birdies were falling, the Europeans couldn't keep up. They made only four birdies, halving three of those holes and losing another. That was on the 14th, where Mahan drove onto the green at the short par 4 and holed an 18-foot putt for eagle.

Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth, United States, def. Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer, Europe, 5 and 3.

Back on the course after their Friday afternoon rest, the young Americans quickly fell behind when Kaymer and then Bjorn made birdies for a quick 2-up lead through three holes. That was the last hole Europe won. Spieth made birdie on the next two par 5s and the next two par 3s. Reed birdied the 13th and 14th holes, and Spieth made it another short day with a birdie on the 15th. It was their second straight win at 5 and 4.

Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler, United States, halved with Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, Europe.

In a close match, McIlroy made back-to-back birdies at the turn for a 2-up lead, only for Fowler and Walker to bounce back with birdies on three of the next four holes to take the lead. The Americans looked to go 2-up on the 15th when Fowler gouged a shot out of the rough to 3 feet. Poulter, so quiet all week, holed a chip from short of the green and gave a Poulter celebration to rev up the crowd. Then, Poulter holed a 20-foot birdie with McIlroy in close to square the match. The Americans had the edge on the 18th when Fowler blasted out of the rough and onto the green about 20 feet away. McIlroy's great chip from the valley secured a birdie, and Fowler's eagle attempt to win the match never had a chance.

___

FOURSOMES

Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood, Europe, def. Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar, United States, 2 and 1.

Only two of the first eight holes were halved in a match that set the tone for Europe. Donaldson and Westwood won the par-5 ninth with a birdie to take the lead again, only this time the Americans didn't catch up. Europe won the 10th with a par, and the American rally came too late. Kuchar drove the green on the par-4 14th, and Johnson made an 18-foot eagle putt from the fringe to cut into the margin. But when Westwood knocked in a short birdie putt on the 16th to restore a 2-up lead, Europe was on its way.

Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, United States, halved with Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer, Europe.

The American rookies again got off to a quick start with a 2-up lead through six holes. This time, they couldn't hold it. In fact, they gave a crucial half-point. Spieth and Reed lost two holes on the back nine with bogeys — they halved another hole with bogeys — and the crucial moment was on the par-5 16th. Kaymer missed a 6-foot par putt, and Reed only had to knock in a 2-footer to win the hole and go 1-up. He missed, and Spieth's great tee shot on the 17th led to a conceded birdie for a 1-up lead. But that left the Europeans a chance, and Rose made a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole to square the match and earn Europe a half.

Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy, Europe, def. Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan, United States, 3 and 2.

The Americans won only one hole in a match that was tight except at the start. Europe won the first hole with a par and the second with a birdie. McIlroy and Garcia made bogey on the third. The next 10 holes were halved until Europe seized control on the 14th when Mahan's tee shot was buried so badly in the grass well right of the green that Furyk could barely get it out. Europe picked up the easy birdie, and they closed it out when the Americans bogeyed the par-5 16th.

Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell, Europe, def. Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler, United States, 5 and 4.

This European tandem played only two matches — both foursomes — and won both handily. This one was easier facing a tired Walker and inconsistent Fowler. And it didn't help the Americans that McDowell and Dubuisson made five birdies and no bogeys. They won four of the opening six holes, and the Americans won only one hole. The match ended on the 14th hole.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos

Most recent National Sports stories

Related topics

GolfNational Sports
DOUG FERGUSON
    KSL.com Beyond Series

    KSL Weather Forecast

    KSL Weather Forecast
    Play button