Rory McIlroy will take on Patrick Reed in an intriguing first singles match after the Europe captain, Darren Clarke, opted to put his best players out first on Sunday. Clarke had little option after seeing his side lose three of the second day’s fourball matches at Hazeltine to trail by three points heading into the 12 singles.
But the holders could at least take encouragement from having overturned a four-point deficit at Medinah in 2012 as they sought to secure an unprecedented fourth straight victory.
McIlroy – who called for a fan to be ejected after suffering verbal abuse – was in superb form on Saturday in securing a third straight win alongside the rookie Thomas Pieters. However, Reed arguably played even better with six birdies and an eagle in the final fourballs match alongside Jordan Spieth.
Open champion Henrik Stenson will go out second against Spieth, with wildcard Pieters taking on JB Holmes in match three. Rafa Cabrera Bello and Spain’s Sergio García face Jimmy Walker and Phil Mickelson respectively, with rookies Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood, Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick filling four of the last five matches.
Fitzpatrick is in the last match against two-time major winner Zach Johnson, but Europe faced an uphill task to get the contest that far.
Singles pairings (times BST)
5.04pm Rory McIlroy v Patrick Reed
5.15pm Henrik Stenson v Jordan Spieth
5.26pm Thomas Pieters v JB Holmes
5.37pm Justin Rose v Rickie Fowler
5.48pm Rafa Cabrera Bello v Jimmy Walker
5.59pm Sergio García v Phil Mickelson
6.10pm Lee Westwood v Ryan Moore
6.21pm Andy Sullivan v Brandt Snedeker
6.32pm Chris Wood v Dustin Johnson
6.43pm Danny Willett v Brooks Koepka
6.54pm Martin Kaymer v Matt Kuchar
7.05pm Matt Fitzpatrick v Zach Johnson
