Americans Finally Win a Session But Face Big Deficit Going to Sunday at Ryder Cup

Three of four matches went to the U.S. but Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth failed to deliver the point that would have swept the session.

ROME — The Americans finally showed some fight on Saturday afternoon, getting red on the Ryder Cup scoreboard and displaying some of the brilliance expected of them at the start of such a promising week.

But in the end, it may not be enough. The U.S., realistically, needed a sweep of the afternoon fourball session to make Europe nervous heading into the final-day singles competition at Marco Simone Golf Club.

“It’s been extremely difficult," said Brian Harman, who won his afternoon match alongside Max Homa. "Look, Team Europe, they have got some of the most incredible talents in the game, and they have been executing. They have been out-executing and outplaying us for the majority of two days.

“So it's just nice to end the night on a little better than we did last night."

But what captain Zach Johnson believed would be one of his best teams—Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas—could not deliver, losing its match to what would have to be considered a lesser-regarded team in Justin Rose and Bob MacIntyre.

That put a huge dent in any hopes that the United States could come back on Sunday, even with an improbable comeback buoyed by Patrick Cantlay, who birdied the last three holes to steal a point for the Americans and help them win the session 3-1.

Max Homa continued to be the strongest player for the U.S. with a win alongside partner Brian Harman :: Alessandra Tarantino/AP

Europe has an 10½–5½ lead, with just four points needed to regain the Ryder Cup. The U.S. needs 8½ points to retain the Cup.

And that means the Americans would need to win eight of 12 singles matches plus one tie or some combination of wins and ties that gets them to 8½ for the day.

Given the way the majority of the team has performed through days—and some of the excellent play seen from European players—it seems a tall ask.

No team has ever overcome more than a four-point final-day deficit. And even a sweep Saturday afternoon would have only gotten the United States within three.

"We've got 12 guys; we've got 12 points," Johnson said. "I believe every guy on my team can win a point. I'll just say that."

Saturday Fourball Results

Match 1: Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa (USA) defeated Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg (Europe), 4 and 3

The Americans got up on the first hole and never looked back, building a 6-up lead through 12 holes before closing out the match after the 15th. It was a nice victory for a couple of beleaguered players who hadn’t had much success previously and managed to take down a strong tandem.

Match 2: Max Homa/Brian Harman (USA) defeated Tommy Fleetwood/Nicolai Hojgaard (Europe), 2 and 1

The true bright spot for the Americans has been Homa, who is the only player on the U.S. side to play all four team matches and has two victories and a tie. He made three birdies and an eagle to help the Americans get 4 up through 12 holes before holding on to close it out after the 17th.

Match 3: Justin Rose/Bob MacIntyre (Europe) defeated Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth (USA), 3 and 2

With a great start on the board for the United States, this was an opportunity to seize some momentum and Thomas and Spieth were 1 up through eight holes. But in best ball, they couldn’t make another birdie and even lost the 14th hole with a bogey, which is inexcusable with two balls in play. MacIntyre, who some believed would sit due to form, and Rose, a 43-year-old veteran who was a captain’s pick, were clearly an underdog in this match and Thomas and Spieth were unable to deliver.

Match 4: Patrick Cantlay/Wyndham Clark (USA) defeated Rory McIlroy/Matt Fitzpatrick (Europe), 1 up

This match went to the final hole, with the Americans having tied with a Cantlay birdie at the 17th. The U.S. never led but never trailed by more than one hole and Cantlay was in the best position to make a birdie before an indifferent chip next to the green—and then he holed it. It was a great comeback for the Americans who were 1 down with three to play.