US leads after Day One 6-4...Day 2 underway with Euros on top

If there was ever an example of the drama that is Ryder Cup matchplay it was the 17 hole in the final foursome pairing of Day 1.

With the US leading 5-4 Cink and Kuchar and the 2 Macs, Rory and Graeme were all square at this long par 3. Kuchar hit 5 iron safely on but at least 40' left. Graeme McDowell took his 4 iron with all of Wales watching and holding it's breath he played, watched the shots flight, gave his club a twirl and started walking towards the green, because he knew... then we saw the ball stab into the green, right over the bunker and 6 feet from the hole... 2010 exploded, Rory hugged him with glee as they savoured the thought of being 1 up with 1 to play and a 5-5 tie..

Everyone gathered on and around the green, everyone except Stewart Cink who was still back down the fairway getting a sandwich, as if he were playing a Saturday afternoon match at the local public course.

He finally arrived having eaten half the sandwich, understand folks it was his putt we were all waiting on, he gave the sandwich to his caddie, who began eating it himself !!

They then drank some water to wash it all down. and finally started to look at the putt. Meanwhile Rory is standing waiting to knock in his 6 footer.

You may know the rest. Cink finally got over the putt, made it !! went daft !! and of course McIlroy missed, the 18th was subsequently halved and the States lead was 6-4..

Now it's 1.30pm here, Day 2 is underway and I am not kidding when I tell you Europe is leading in ALL 6 matches as play is about to end due to darkness ..

The US team has just run out of gas while Europe is finishing a long day strong..

Here are all the results of a riveting day which included rookie Rickie Fowler being penalized a hole for playing the wrong ball.

Session 2 Foursomes


M. Jimenez / P. Hanson Wins 4 & 3
 T. Woods / S. Stricker

Recap .. Stricker putts his brains out, keeps Tiger in the fairway..

E. Molinari / F. Molinari Wins 2Up
 Z. Johnson / H. Mahan

Recap... 2 solid US pros kept the crowd favourites at bay

L. Westwood / M. Kaymer Halved
 J. Furyk / R. Fowler

Recap .. Fowler's penalty gaff cost them a hole, but Furyk holed a monster at 17, and Fowler made a 7 footer on 18 to steal a half  ( penalty .. Furyk's drive landed in a muddy area. Fowler was to play their next shot, he was granted relief, placed a ball in play on the cart path, but it wasn't Furyk's muddy ball, it was one, the same make, that Fowler had in his pocket. He played that ball and the referee had no choice but to penalize)

P. Harrington / R. Fisher Wins 3 & 2
 P. Mickelson / D. Johnson

Recap .. Paddy and Fisher finally came alive while Mickelson and Johnson continue to struggle, particularly Dustin with his cold putter  Paddy's first win in 6 years in this competition

I. Poulter / L. Donald Wins 2 & 1
 B. Watson / J. Overton

Recap...Luke Donald may be the best iron player of the bunch here, his 4 iron stiff at the par 3 17th drove a stake in the US rookies heart.

G. McDowell / R. McIlroy Wins 1Up
 S. Cink / M. Kuchar

Recap  ... see earlier in post re Cink's heroics

US leads 6-4

The captains submitted their pairings for Session 3 ( day 2) which included 2 foursomes and 4 fourballs under this new 'catch-up' format..

Session 3 foursomes

L. Donald / L. Westwood 4Up thru 9
 S. Stricker / T. Woods

G. McDowell / R. McIlroy 3Up thru 7
 Z. Johnson / H. Mahan


Session 3 Fourballs

P. Harrington / R. Fisher 1Up thru 8
 J. Furyk / D. Johnson

P. Hanson / M. Jimenez 2Up thru 6
 B. Watson / J. Overton

E. Molinari / F. Molinari 1Up thru 5
 S. Cink / M. Kuchar

I. Poulter / M. Kaymer 2Up thru 4
 P. Mickelson / R. Fowler


Tomorrow morning they will come out and finish these matches and remember Kaymer/Poulter vs Mickelson/Fowler is only at the 5th hole, then they will begin the 12 singles matches...

If the scores ended as they are now we would go into the singles 10-6 Europe, but that is a big if. Tomorrow will be a completely different day and as Luke Donald has just said " It's a pity we can't keep playing"

I'll be up watching and writing at 3am.... Next I've got Jerry and Alan with the Jays on the radio while I watch Corey Boyd return to my beloved Argos on the telly at 3..

There might even be a cold 'pop' in the fridge !!

Bryan Angus