Ewan Murray's report
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And with that, this hole-by-hole report comes to its natural end. Many congratulations to Europe, the thoroughly deserved victors of the 2018 Ryder Cup. Commiserations to the USA team, who gave Europe a rare old fright for a little while back there, pushing them all the way. We’ve been thoroughly entertained by 24 of the world’s greatest players; here’s to 2020, when we do it all again at Whistling Straits. We’ll see you there for that. And we also hope to see you back here next April for the Masters. Thanks for reading!
Thomas Bjorn lifts the Ryder Cup! He allows himself a broad grin as the trophy is hoisted into the air, while his players bounce around in the rhythmic style. He gives the old pot a kiss, then hands it to Sergio, the greatest European scorer of all time. Then it’s passes along to Paul Casey, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Francesco Molinari, Rory McIlroy, Thorbjorn Olesen, Alex Noren, Ian Poulter, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose and finally Henrik Stenson. Huge cheers as everyone takes their turn to wave the Ryder Cup about! And a real sense that this team looks out for each other, and enjoys each other’s company. It’s a glorious denouement to a marvellous week at Le Golf National!
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Then the USA team file across to shake the hand of every member of the victorious European side, and shuffle off. Europe then take up position on the podium, waiting to lift the trophy and bounce around like champagne-fuelled maniacs. Which is their right after three days of amazing golf. But first, a word from Bjorn, who says he is planning a holiday. “This moment is unbelievable. These guys have been phenomenal. For it to come out this way, I couldn’t have dreamt it any better. I am proud of these 12. We have played some great golfers, a great American team, and a great captain. I am proud as I can be ever.”
The losing captain Jim Furyk is up first, and addresses, in turn, the crowd, his team, Thomas Bjorn and Team Europe. “This was the greatest venue, basically the greatest stadium, all of us on both sides could play in. I want to thank you all. I love these 12 guys, I respect them, they ground it out today. They showed a lot of grit, determination and heart. I’d take these guys on my team any day, I love you all man. Thomas, you did an unbelievable job. No matter how much pressure we put on you, you always responded. You deserve it, congratulations!”
The ceremony’s going to take place on the 18th green. It’s got more of a Champions League final presentation feel about it, the players hanging around informally waiting to get their hands on the trophy, as opposed to the slightly more formal stage, lectern and chairs set-up of yore. To ramp up the end-of-soccer-final feel, the MC for the event is former Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and France winger David Ginola. Right you are.
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The closing ceremony takes place in a few minutes. So stick around!
So this is how it ended: Europe 17½-10½ USA. Comprehensive in the end. But the Americans had Europe worried for a bit back there, huh?
McIlroy v Thomas 1UP
Casey A/S Koepka
Rose v Simpson 3&2
2&1 Rahm v Woods
Fleetwood v Finau 6&4
2UP Poulter v Johnson
5&4 Olesen v Spieth
2&1 Garcia v Fowler
4&2 Molinari v Mickelson
Hatton v Reed 3&2
5&4 Stenson v Watson
1UP Noren v DeChambeau
Final score: Europe 17½-10½ USA
Noren beats DeChambeau 1UP. DeChambeau’s putt is conceded. Which leaves Noren with a 40-footer to make birdie, halve the hole, and win his match. It unlikely ... but the left-to-right slider goes into the middle of the cup, and seconds later he’s engulfed by team-mates! As they leap about in glee, even Jordan Spieth, greenside, can’t help but laugh. That might become the defining moment of this Ryder Cup, you know. It was worth waiting for!
From the centre of the fairway, DeChambeau pitches his second to 18 inches! That’s one of the shots of the entire week! That’s a birdie, and chances are he’ll be getting a half point, because Noren’s miles from the pin in two.
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They’re going down the last. Of course they are. DeChambeau needs to win the hole if he’s to avoid the fate of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, and end the week without making any contribution at all to the USA total.
1UP Noren v DeChambeau (17)
EUROPE 16½-10½ USA
Rory speaks! “It’s incredible. We took a tough loss at Hazeltine a couple of years ago, and that stung, it was my first experience of what it’s like to be on the other side. None of us want to fee like that on a Sunday afternoon. The players have been great, the rookies have been phenomenal. We’ve stuck to our job. One of the great things is, we’ve all contributed points. Jon Rahm got a point today, Thorbjorn got a point today, I’m delighted for them. And it validates what Thomas has wanted to do. It’s a culmination of two years’ hard work. He’s been incredible, in constant contact with all the guys who were in the team and on the periphery. It’s been a love-in for the last week. One of the great things about Ryder Cups is that you forge friendships that last a lifetime. And I think a few of those friendships have been forged this week.”
DeChambeau’s not smiling any longer when he sends his tee shot at 16 into the water. But he wedges close from the drop zone, and makes the bogey putt. Noren can’t make his par, and there’s a fair chance this’ll end up going down 18. Think of it as bonus golf. Everyone loves bonus golf.
1UP Noren v DeChambeau (16)
EUROPE 16½-10½ USA
A sad but sporting Jim Furyk speaks. And some very classy words too. “I’m proud of these guys, they fought. There was a time when it looked as though we had a chance. We put some heat on Europe in the first five or six matches. We scrapped it out. But hats off to Europe, they played well again. They turned it around, and looks as though they’ll win the session. So hats off to Thomas, he was a great captain, and his 12 team members played very well top to bottom. So congratulations to them. We’ll regroup and move forward. I’m really proud, I love these 12 guys, I’m proud to serve as their captain, and I had five of my closest friends as vice-captains. It was a group effort. You just have to tip your cap, we got outplayed and Thomas was the better captain.”
There’s still one match out on the course. Nobody cares too much about it. Noren just wants to join in the celebrations; a grinning DeChambeau has taken to conducting the crowd as they sing about Sergio.
1UP Noren v DeChambeau (15)
EUROPE 16½-10½ USA
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EUROPE 16½-10½ USA
Reed beats Hatton 3&2. Captain America secures a consolation point for the Americans with birdie on 16, after a lovely tee shot to three feet. He spins round and shushes the crowd, before breaking into a wide smile, applauding the gallery and congratulating Hatton on Europe’s victory. That was a lovely self-deprecating joke from the Masters champion.
Here’s the snap take on Europe’s victory!
Sergio, Europe’s all-time number-one Ryder Cup scorer, speaks! “I don’t usually cry but today I can’t help it. It’s been a rough year. So thankful for Thomas to pick me and believe in me. I am so happy, so happy to get the cup back. It’s about the team., and I’m happy I was able to help. It was one of those years when nothing seemed to happen. But I’ve never had so many big cheers as I’ve had this week. They had a hell of a team, but it shows how good we are too.”
Europe 16½-9½ USA
Sergio beats Fowler 2&1. The pair share 17 in par ... and the resulting point means Sergio Garcia has won more points than anybody else in Ryder Cup history! His haul of 25½ beats Sir Nick Faldo by ½.
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Europe 15½-9½ USA
Stenson beats Watson 5&4. He closes out his match, halving 14 in birdie. He’s congratulated by Bubba and Webb Simpson, and then is handed a cup of rosé champagne. He deserves to drain that, but he can’t because someone sprays him in the face with another bottle! Marvellous scenes!
Now ... you can say that someone sending a shot into water is a bit anti-climactic compared to a winning putt. And you may have a point. But consider: Molinari’s registered the winning point ... and in doing so, becomes the first European in Ryder Cup history to win five out of five points! He shakes off the sticky booze and speaks: “This means so much more than majors. It’s hard not to get emotional, it’s been an incredible week. They had the strongest team ever, it’s so good!”
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EUROPE WIN THE 2018 RYDER CUP!!! Europe 14½-9½ USA
Molinari sends his tee shot at 16 pin high, 25 feet away. Mickelson, the USA on the edge, dunks his tee shot in the water! And he offers his hand to Molinari, who wins the match 4&2! He’s immediately drowned in champagne. What an end to the year for the Open champion!
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Europe will win the 2018 Ryder Cup! Nothing’s official yet, because the matches have to be completed before the points are registered. But they only need one more point. And Molinari-Mickelson is dormie three, Stenson-Watson is dormie five, and Sergio has just won 16 after Fowler found more water; he’s dormie two. It’s done, but not yet dusted.
2UP Garcia v Fowler (16)
3UP Molinari v Mickelson (15)
Hatton v Reed 2UP (14)
5UP Stenson v Watson (13)
1UP Noren v DeChambeau (13)
EUROPE 13½-9½ USA
Europe 13½-9½ USA
Poulter beats Johnson 2UP. Johnson nearly drains his long birdie putt, but it shaves by the hole, and Dustin doesn’t want to see Poulter’s putt. He shakes the Ryder Cup living legend’s hand, and the Postman delivers a precious point. Europe are on the brink of reclaiming the Ryder Cup!
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Sergio can’t make his putt. Hole to Fowler, who sliced into water off the tee. What a business. Oh Sergio! Meanwhile DJ’s wedge into 18 only just makes it over the water. He’s got an uphill putt over a ridge from 30 feet. Poulter meanwhile eases a stunning wedge to 12 feet. The grandstand at 18 erupts accordingly. And on 13, Bubba makes a street-fighting par, but it’s a half, and Stenson is dormie five.
1UP Poulter v Johnson (17)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (15)
3UP Molinari v Mickelson (14)
Hatton v Reed 2UP (14)
5UP Stenson v Watson (13)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (12)
EUROPE 12½-9½ USA
Fowler drops by the water at 15 and sends his third not particularly close. Sergio sends his fourth to 15 feet from the drop zone. Rickie nearly drains his long par putt; the pressure, ludicrously, is on Sergio to make a putt to salvage a half. Meanwhile Stenson is on 13 in two, with Bubba in a little trouble.
What’s this, though? Fowler had found water off the tee at 15 ... and now Sergio sends a weak approach into the briny, letting his opponent back into the hole, and maybe the match. Oh Sergio! That is absurd! Speaking of absurd ... Poulter outdrives DJ on 18! Both in prime position though.
Nope! The tension gets to the very best of them. Poulter’s short one horseshoes out. They’ll go up 18, though at least Poulter can’t lose. Meanwhile Bubba is in awful trouble all the way up 12, handing yet another hole to Stenson; Hatton birdies 13 to cut Reed’s lead to two holes; and Molinari birdies the par-five 14th to move three up on Mickelson, whose brief mid-round revival looks to have been for nothing.
1UP Poulter v Johnson (17)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (14)
3UP Molinari v Mickelson (14)
Hatton v Reed 2UP (13)
5UP Stenson v Watson (12)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (11)
EUROPE 12½-9½ USA
DJ pulls his lob wedge out. He also removes the flagstick. But his dinky little chip is never likely to drop. It slips to the right, and that’s a par. Which leaves Poulter with a putt to win the match from seven feet. He prowls around it awhile. Is the Postman about to deliver yet another point?
It’s beginning to slip away from the USA. Fowler sends his tee shot at 15 into the drink down the right. He’s really up against it now, with the noggin gone. Can DJ pull something out of the bag at 17?
Spanish players and the Ryder Cup, eh? Rahm allows himself a tear of joy; his victory means every single European has contributed a point. Nothing for poor old Tiger. What a difference a week makes. Meanwhile on 17, DJ sends his drive into the thick rough. He can only send his second through the back, unable to get any control. Poulter is on in two, with a decent birdie opportunity. And a hole won by Sergio ... or rather lost by Fowler, who hacked his way up 14. Whisper it, but it’s beginning to look a whole lot better for Europe now. They just need two points to reclaim the cup, and they’re up in four matches and level in another.
1UP Poulter v Johnson (16)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (14)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (13)
Hatton v Reed 3UP (12)
4UP Stenson v Watson (11)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (10)
EUROPE 12½-9½ USA
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Europe 12½-9½ USA
Rahm beats Woods 2&1. Tiger nearly trundles in a chip from off the front of the green, but DJ’s just used up the USA’s miracle. It flies four feet past, and Rahm makes his birdie putt to seal the deal! What an amazing hole of golf he’s just played: a monster drive, a delicious chip, and a firm putt into the centre of the cup! And all that after a miserable short one missed on the previous green!
Oh this is totally outrageous by Dustin Johnson! Having conceded the 15th to go two down, he’s left himself a 60-footer for birdie on the par-three 16th. And for the second time today, he’s drained a monster! Poulter must wonder what on earth is going on! He’s now left with a 20-footer for a half ... and he leaves it out left. Just the one hole in that again!
1UP Rahm v Woods (16)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (16)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (13)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (12)
Hatton v Reed 3UP (11)
3UP Stenson v Watson (10)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (9)
EUROPE 10½-9½ USA
Tiger’s drive at 17 flies into the deep stuff down the left. Rahm blooters a massive, 360-yard tee shot down the middle ... and it could be enough to close out this game, because while Tiger can only smash out of the rough towards the front of the green, Rahm is able to wedge pin high to six feet!
1UP Rahm v Woods (16)
2UP Poulter v Johnson (15)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (13)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (12)
Hatton v Reed 3UP (11)
3UP Stenson v Watson (10)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (9)
EUROPE 10½-9½ USA
Europe 11½-9½ USA
Olesen beats Spieth 5&4. Birdie for Olesen at the par-five 14th ... and with Spieth unable to match him, a rout few would have predicted is completed! He cavorts in delight, and he deserves to soak up every second of joy, because that was a simply outstanding performance. Seems resting him yesterday wasn’t a bad move by Captain Bjorn, eh?
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Birdie for Noren at 9; the anchor game is all square again. That’s a fine response from the Swede, who was two down through 5. Meanwhile DJ has found water again, this time from the middle of the 15th fairway! What an absurd mistake, reminiscent of the one he sprayed OB during the last knockings of the 2011 Open. Poulter’s on in two, and close. He’s taking control of that match.
Fowler chips in from the side of 13, and Sergio can’t make a birdie of his own from ten feet. He tugs his putt wide left. Just the one hole in that match now. And that’s the case in the Rahm-Woods rubber, because upon Tiger missing a 12-foot birdie putt, the European rookie yips from three feet!
Well, not really. DJ’s chip makes it up onto the green, but he’s been a bit timid and the putt he’s left isn’t a gimme. Poulter is on in three, and has a 15-footer to win the hole by himself. And in it goes. Did you ever doubt him? And you can picture him now, can’t you? No need for me to belabour the point. Meanwhile a trademark Mickelson spray off the tee at 12 costs him a hole against Molinari, while two birdies in three holes for Reed puts Hatton in all sorts of bother.
2UP Rahm v Woods (15)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (14)
4UP Olesen v Spieth (13)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (12)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (12)
Hatton v Reed 3UP (10)
3UP Stenson v Watson (9)
Noren v DeChambeau 1UP (8)
EUROPE 10½-9½ USA
Rahm has a chance to go dormie three over Woods on 15. But his putt from 12 feet slips wide right of the hole. Meanwhile DJ wedges into the par-five 14th ... and doesn’t give it enough, his ball toppling back down a swale. Having given up the last hole after finding water, he’s rocking a little here. Can he rebound?
An outrageous escape by Sergio at 12. From deep nonsense out left, he manufactures a hook up and over a bunker to four feet, setting up a birdie that salvages a nonsense half. He punches the air, and keeps that precious momentum going. And it is precious, because the USA are coming at Europe hard here, and there’s no knowing how it’ll end up. Whatever happens, there’s been a sense in the air that something could be brewing for a while now. Anyone who sat through Brookline or Medinah can attest to that.
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EUROPE 10½-9½ USA
Finau beats Fleetwood 6&4. The inevitable occurs, as Fleetwood fails to match Finau’s birdie on 14. No record five-point haul for Fleetwood, but the European number one has been a hero anyway. Finau was simply too good today.
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Europe 10½-8½ USA
Simpson beats Rose 3&2. Simpson isn’t missing his slightly shorter birdie putt. That’s a point for the USA’s best player this week. And the American top order is doing what was asked of it! I wonder how important Casey’s battling half will prove?
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Europe 10½-7½ USA
Casey A/S Koepka. Koepka splashes out magnificently to three feet, a long bunker shot that is enough to earn a half. Casey can’t make the 15-foot left-to-right slider, and the match is halved.
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Everything matters now. We’re at that stage. Tiger misses an even shorter putt than Rahm did on 14, and he’s two holes adrift now. Simpson, three up with three to play, goes close with his tee shot at 16; Rose follows his lead. They’ll both have 12 footers. And Rose makes his! He’s clinging on by his fingernails! But will Simpson close it out?
Casey sends his second into the heart of the 18th green. That’s put matchplay pressure on Koepka, who uncharacteristically crumbles, hoicking his second into the bunker to the left-rear of the green. He’ll have an awfully tricky one coming down the green with water behind. Elsewhere, DJ finds water with his second at 13, while Rahm lets a five-footer to win 14 slide by.
Casey A/S Koepka (17)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (15)
1UP Rahm v Woods (13)
Fleetwood v Finau 5UP (13)
Poulter v Johnson 1UP (12)
4UP Olesen v Spieth (11)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (10)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (9)
Hatton v Reed 1UP (8)
3UP Stenson v Watson (7)
Noren v DeChambeau 2UP (6)
Casey birdies 17 to level the match against Koepka, after sending a delightful second to four feet. That could be a big moment, especially as Finau is now five up over Fleetwood with five to play, while Rose is likely to fall three down with three holes remaining after dunking a weak approach to 15 into the water. Spieth has grabbed a hole back off Olesen after the Dane bogeyed 10, but Sergio extended his lead over Fowler after the American bogeyed 9. Europe are still on course to win this, but if anyone thought this would be a shoo-in for the hosts, they’ll be thoroughly disabused of that notion now!
Casey A/S Koepka (17)
Rose v Simpson 2UP (14)
1UP Rahm v Woods (13)
Fleetwood v Finau 5UP (13)
Poulter v Johnson 1UP (12)
4UP Olesen v Spieth (11)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (10)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (9)
Hatton v Reed 1UP (8)
3UP Stenson v Watson (7)
Noren v DeChambeau 2UP (6)
Europe 10-7 USA
Thomas beats McIlroy 1UP. Rory sends his fifth into the centre of the green, hollers “JT!”, and shakes his friend’s hand. A sad end to that match, but Rory had his chances, couldn’t make the putts, and Thomas was the deserved winner.
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... his ball hits the face again. It escapes the sand, but flies across the fairway and into the drink. Rory’s not conceding yet, but the best he can do is hole out from the fairway for a five. And since Thomas has just wedged to eight feet, that’s the mother of all pipe dreams. This will be lost. Meanwhile Tiger bogeys 13, and Rahm has the lead in that match again.
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In fact, Rory’s in the sand, and he’s right up against the face. He tries to bash out, but his ball hits the face and drops back into the trap. This is over, surely a sorry end to a fantastic match. He’s forced to throw a Hail Mary, seeing if he can somehow make it over the water from the bunker. He opens up a 7-iron and ...
JT blooters a fantastic drive down the middle of 18. He’s in prime position! Rory takes a 3-wood for safety ... and sends his tee shot into the thick stuff down the right. Chances are, he’ll have to lay up, but we’ll see. This would be a crucial win if JT could convert his advantage into a first point of the afternoon!
But what an up and down by McIlroy on 17! He flops out gorgeously to three feet, and tidies up for his par. Thomas sees a putt stop right by the cup for the third hole in a row, and Europe escape with a half! Back on the par-three 11th, DJ pulls his tee shot 70 feet wide of the flag ... then sends a tramliner into the cup! He punches the air and flexes a muscle in celebration! Poulter had sent a nice tee shot to 15 feet, but he can’t make the birdie putt, and all of a sudden he’s had his pocket picked, and he’s one down!
The USA can sense something might be happening here. DeChambeau goes two up over Noren through 5. Woods levels his match with Rahm at 12. Watson grabs a hole back against Stenson at 6. Finau punishes Fleetwood for his profligacy at 11 with a birdie to snatch the hole, nipping the comeback in the bud. Reed goes one up over Hatton at 7. And Thomas has drawn a delightful shot into 17, while Rory is through the back and in thick nonsense. A great chance for the USA of going one up with one to play! The American supporters are the ones making themselves heard right now. Le Golf National has fallen pretty quiet in the last half-hour.
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Thomas watches in horror as his birdie putt on 16 shaves the hole. Not sure how that one stayed out, either! He was raising his putter in Jack Nicklaus style for a nanosecond there. But Rory can’t captalise again. Not sure how these two keep halving holes in par! Mickelson, having raked in a monster to win 6, hands the hole straight back to Molinari at 7 by pushing a short one left. Fleetwood misses a makeable putt of birdie at 11, having nearly pitched straight in with his tee shot. A real chance of rattling Finau passes by. DJ wins the 10th to level up against Poulter again. And Olesen is relentless! He birdies 9 to hit the turn five up on Spieth. Not many folk would have predicted that one.
Thomas puts the pressure on McIlroy, sending a heatseeker over the flag at the par-three 16th. That’s given him a 15-footer coming back. But Rory doesn’t flinch, landing his ball 20 feet wide left of the flag, and allowing the slope of the green to take it back a bit. Another putting competition coming up! Not sure this is where Rory is at his strongest, but anything can happen at the Ryder Cup. Meanwhile it’s three birdies in a row for Stenson against Watson; he moves three up through 5. And Hatton rolls in a 20-footer on 6 to level his match against Reed.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (15)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (14)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (12)
1UP Rahm v Woods (11)
Fleetwood v Finau 4UP (10)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (9)
4UP Olesen v Spieth (8)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (7)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (6)
Hatton A/S Reed (6)
3UP Stenson v Watson (5)
Noren v DeChambeau 1UP (4)
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This is fast and furious, and good luck predicting how it’s going to end up! McIlroy and Thomas have reached the exciting closing four-hole stretch, and pepper the 15th flagstick with their approaches. This is a huge moment. Thomas goes first, from eight feet. And he carefully sets his ball on route ... but it defies gravity to brush the right edge of the cup. How on earth did that stay out?! Rory should take advantage, but his five-footer horseshoes out. That is very poor, and Rory looks accordingly frustrated. Poulter hits the flagstick with a chip at 9, but DJ makes a 15-footer to halve the hole. And Fleetwood rattles in a long one on 10; Finau can’t make the 15-footer he’s left with, and his lead is now a mere four holes.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (15)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (12)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (12)
1UP Rahm v Woods (9)
Fleetwood v Finau 4UP (10)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (9)
4UP Olesen v Spieth (7)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (6)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (6)
Hatton v Reed 1UP (5)
2UP Stenson v Watson (4)
Noren v DeChambeau 1UP (3)
Finau is routing Fleetwood, who looks spent after his heroics of Friday and Saturday. A fifth hole in a row, and he’s five up at the turn. Patrick Reed wins 5 to move one up on Tyrrell Hatton. Bryson DeChambeau takes the lead over Alex Noren at 3. Yet another hole for Olesen over a strangely out-of-sorts Spieth; he’s four up through 7. Mickelson rakes in a monster left-to-right curler on 6 to stay in touch with Molinari. And Casey takes iron off 13 for safety, yet finds the drink down the left. Koepka takes the lead in that match.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (14)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (12)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (11)
1UP Rahm v Woods (9)
Fleetwood v Finau 5UP (9)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (8)
4UP Olesen v Spieth (7)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (6)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (6)
Hatton v Reed 1UP (5)
2UP Stenson v Watson (4)
Noren v DeChambeau 1UP (3)
Rose and Simpson share the 11th in par. Simpson concedes a three-footer, which was pretty generous considering what’s at stake here. The confidence of a man who’s three up. Speaking of generous, here’s McIlroy handing a hole back to Thomas, tugging a short birdie putt to the left at the par-five 14th. That’s doubly wasteful, because he’d fought hard to get back in position at that hole, Thomas having found the green in two, McIlroy forced to wedge close from deep rough with his third. But they’re all square again. If these matches ended now, Europe would be comfortable winners. But they’re not going to! And most of them are on a knife-edge. So goodness knows how this will end. The Ryder Cup, folks!
McIlroy A/S Thomas (14)
Casey A/S Koepka (12)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (11)
1UP Rahm v Woods (9)
Fleetwood v Finau 4UP (8)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (8)
3UP Olesen v Spieth (7)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (6)
3UP Molinari v Mickelson (5)
Hatton A/S Reed (4)
1UP Stenson v Watson (3)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (2)
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Koepka wins the 12th, pretty much as expected. These first two to-and-fro matches look like going right to the wire! As does match four, because Tiger makes his eagle at 9, and punches the air in delight. That 3-wood deserved nothing less. He’s just one hole down against Rahm now. Meanwhile another short putt missed by DJ, this time at 7, and the pressure applied by Poulter’s approach tells. Europe are one up in that match again. Another hole for Molinari against Mickelson; he’s three up through 5. Stenson makes the first birdie of the penultimate match, at 3. And another hole for Olesen against Spieth, who has bogeyed his last three holes.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (13)
Casey A/S Koepka (12)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (10)
1UP Rahm v Woods (9)
Fleetwood v Finau 4UP (8)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (7)
3UP Olesen v Spieth (6)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (5)
3UP Molinari v Mickelson (5)
Hatton A/S Reed (4)
1UP Stenson v Watson (3)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (2)
One of the shots of the week from Tiger! From the centre of the par-five 9th fairway, he flashes a 3-wood right at the flag, taking on the bunker and rough guarding the pin position back right. His ball lands on the small landing surface, and he’ll have a great look at eagle! Meanwhile Rory wins the putting competition on 13 to go in front again in the lead-out match. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say JT loses it: he trundles his birdie effort six feet past, and can’t make the one coming back. Rory couldn’t make his shorter birdie effort, but par suffices.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (13)
1UP Casey v Koepka (10)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (9)
2UP Rahm v Woods (8)
Fleetwood v Finau 4UP (8)
Poulter A/S Johnson (6)
3UP Olesen v Spieth (6)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (5)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (4)
Hatton A/S Reed (3)
Stenson A/S Watson (2)
Noren A/S DeChambeau (2)
Updated
McIlroy and Thomas continue to trade haymakers. What a fight this is! JT’s second to 13 is pin high, 15 feet from the flag. Rory responds by spinning his ball back to ten feet or so. It’ll be a putting competition. Poulter responds to that missed short putt by lashing a 9-iron straight at the flag on 7. Casey’s second at 12 is dreadful, finding thick rough from the centre of the fairway; Koepka is 15 feet from the flag in two. It looks like that one will be level again soon enough. And on 8, Finau trundles in a long birdie putt to move four up on Fleetwood.
Updated
Poulter yanks a putt left of the cup from six feet at 6. Most uncharacteristic behaviour from the living Ryder Cup legend. And that’s the hole to DJ. They’re level again. Meanwhile Tiger knocks in a very missable par putt on the 8th to salvage a half that keeps him in range of Rahm.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (12)
1UP Casey v Koepka (10)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (8)
2UP Rahm v Woods (7)
Fleetwood v Finau 3UP (7)
Poulter A/S Johnson (6)
2UP Olesen v Spieth (5)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (4)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (3)
Hatton A/S Reed (2)
Stenson A/S Watson (1)
Noren v DeChambeau
Thomas’s second into 12 bounces off to the left, and into thick cabbage. He chunks his chip coming up. With Rory close in three, the hole’s surely Europe’s! But JT bumps a sensational chip in from the fringe, one of those that was on an inexorable journey from the second it left the face of his wedge! That’s a quite brilliant effort from Thomas, who is still a Ryder Cup rookie, it’s easy to forget. Rory makes his par to the half, and trudges off in the deflated style. Could that be a huge momentum-shifter in this wonderful match?
McIlroy A/S Thomas (12)
1UP Casey v Koepka (10)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (8)
2UP Rahm v Woods (7)
Fleetwood v Finau 3UP (7)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (5)
2UP Olesen v Spieth (5)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (4)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (3)
Hatton A/S Reed (2)
Stenson A/S Watson (1)
Noren v DeChambeau
Updated
Finau is firing on all cylinders now! He arrows his approach at 7 straight at the target, and for a second it looks like he’ll be making eagle from the fairway. But his ball stops just short. He’ll kick that in for birdie, while Fleetwood is in deep filth down the right ... and then hacks out to the left. He nods to Finau and concedes the hole. He’s three adrift now. Better news for Europe at 10, where Casey birdies to grab the lead, while Molinari wins another hole against the seriously flagging Mickelson at 3. And Olesen nearly chips in at 5, but he wins the hole anyway because Spieth bogeys.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (11)
1UP Casey v Koepka (10)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (8)
2UP Rahm v Woods (7)
Fleetwood v Finau 3UP (7)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (5)
2UP Olesen v Spieth (5)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (3)
2UP Molinari v Mickelson (3)
Hatton A/S Reed (2)
Stenson A/S Watson (1)
Noren v DeChambeau
Updated
Elsewhere, Poulter lips out from eight feet at 5; DJ claims the hole. Olesen bests Spieth at 4. Fowler takes a hole back off Sergio at 3. And a wild, wild, wild drive at 7 costs Tiger another hole. It’s all change.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (11)
Casey A/S Koepka (9)
Rose v Simpson 3UP (8)
2UP Rahm v Woods (7)
Fleetwood v Finau 2UP (6)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (5)
1UP Olesen v Spieth (4)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (3)
1UP Molinari v Mickelson (2)
Hatton A/S Reed (2)
Stenson A/S Watson (1)
Noren v DeChambeau
And here’s another example of the extreme pressure these players are under. Rose sends his putt off the green at the par-three 8th! He seriously overhits one from 20 feet, and it flies another 20 feet past then down a swale! Simpson makes his birdie anyway, so Rose is spared chipping back up. But the Players champion is in total control of the third game. He’s been sensational this week.
Birdie for Casey at 9, and the second match turns all square. Another tiddler missed by Fleetwood, this time on 6, and that record five-point haul looks a pipe dream at the moment. Meantime, a classic matchplay situation develops at the par-three 11th. Thomas lands his tee shot ten feet behind the flag. Rory then plops his 15 feet past ... but the bank takes it back to six feet! Thomas has the chance to turn the screw, but misses his birdie putt. But Rory can’t take advantage! A half in par, after two magnificent tee shots. The pressure of Ryder Cup golf, right there.
Updated
Rose is always out of position at 7. And with Simpson sending his second over the flag to eight feet, he has to rake in a monster to force his opponent to make his birdie. A gorgeous effort nearly drops, but it stays high on the left and the hole’s conceded. Rahm meanwhile nearly makes a long one on 6, but it’s a couple of blades of grass wide, and he halves the hole with Tiger. It’s a good scrap, this. And speaking of tense tussles, the marvellous opening match is all square now, Thomas having sent his second to 12 feet, the hole his reward.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (10)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (8)
Rose v Simpson 2UP (7)
1UP Rahm v Woods (6)
Fleetwood v Finau 1UP (5)
2UP Poulter v Johnson (4)
Olesen A/S Spieth (3)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (2)
1UP Molinari v Mickelson (2)
Hatton A/S Reed (1)
Stenson v Watson
Updated
An opportunity for Poulter to win 4, having fired his second straight at the flag. A slightly oscillating uphill 12-footer. It’s never missing. Poulter celebrates as Poulter does.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (9)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (7)
Rose v Simpson 1UP (6)
1UP Rahm v Woods (5)
Fleetwood v Finau 1UP (5)
2UP Poulter v Johnson (4)
Olesen A/S Spieth (3)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (2)
1UP Molinari v Mickelson (1)
Hatton v Reed
This is a brilliant battle in the leading match, no quarter given. And yet McIlroy and Thomas are able to walk down the fairway together after teeing off at 10, chatting amicably. It’s lovely to see. Brookline seems an awfully long time ago; never mind Kiawah Island. Elsewhere, Spieth birdies 3 to level his match against Olesen. And Fleetwood lips out from three feet to hand a hole, and return the lead, to Finau.
An out-of-sorts Fowler gifts Sergio the 2nd with a missed tiddler. Back on 1, a similarly struggling Phil Mickelson bogeys, handing Francesco Molinari a fast start. And up on 9, after those loose tee shots, JT is on the green in regulation, Rory in the bunker. But Rory splashes to a couple of feet, while Thomas doesn’t give his 25-foot birdie effort enough juice. A half, and they turn with Europe still holding onto a slim lead.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (9)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (7)
Rose v Simpson 1UP (6)
1UP Rahm v Woods (5)
Fleetwood A/S Finau (4)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (3)
1UP Olesen v Spieth (2)
2UP Garcia v Fowler (2)
1UP Molinari v Mickelson (1)
Hatton v Reed
Updated
Simpson sends a glorious second into 6 to ten feet. Rose responds by screeching his ball to a halt four feet from the cup. Simpson makes his birdie putt, and that clearly set Rose’s nerves a-jangling like a C86 band, because he nearly yips left. But the ball drops, and Rose stays in touch. He doesn’t look like he trusts his putter today, though; trouble could be afoot if he doesn’t calm himself down over those short ones. Meanwhile Rahm is always out of position going down 5. He leaves Tiger with an opportunity to win the hole with birdie from 12 feet, but the putt’s left high on the left, another good chance spurned. Rahm then scrambles his par with a lovely ten-foot slider, and celebrates wildly. A street-fighting Spaniard in the Ryder Cup? Whatever next!
Updated
Sergio Garcia’s off to a flyer against Rickie Fowler! A wedge pin high to eight feet, the putt carefully coaxed into the cup! Meanwhile on 4, Fleetwood brings his match back to all square by rolling in a 25-footer! Finau will feel a little aggrieved, having nearly holed out from the apron. And on the par-five 9th, JT sprays his tee shot into thick oomska down the right; Rory takes an iron for safety and hooks it into even deeper filth down the left! What a business.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (8)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (6)
Rose v Simpson 1UP (5)
1UP Rahm v Woods (4)
Fleetwood A/S Finau (4)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (2)
1UP Olesen v Spieth (2)
1UP Garcia v Fowler (1)
Molinari v Mickelson
Updated
It’s all happening! McIlroy’s tee shot at the par-three 8th is no good, toppling down the bank to the left. JT responds by fizzing his effort at the flag, 15 feet short. He chips up close, but Thomas makes his putt and celebrates in New Captain America style. A very careless three-putt by Rahm on 4. He looks to have handed the hole to Tiger, but breathes a sigh of relief as Woods pulls a tiddler from short distance. Thorbjorn Olesen birdies 2 to take the lead against Jordan Spieth. And Rose grabs a hole back at 5, a combination of Simpson being out of position from the tee, and his own fine approach to four feet.
Updated
Fleetwood reaches 3 in two big bangs. And then he nearly guides home a long eagle putt with a huge left-to-right break. One more joule of energy and the hole would have been his. It still could be, because Finau, chipping on in three, leaves his pitch 12 feet short. And the USA’s gentle giant can’t make the birdie putt, so his lead is halved. Meanwhile on 7, Rory reaches the green in two, but a knuckle of rough jutting into his line means he has to take a wedge. He flops gracefully to kick-in distance, and steals a half at a hole the USA were hoping to win, JT having found the putting surface in two without obstruction. And Poulter wins 2 as expected, making a quiet par after DJ’s swim.
2UP McIlroy v Thomas (7)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (6)
Rose v Simpson 2UP (4)
1UP Rahm v Woods (3)
Fleetwood v Finau 1UP (3)
1UP Poulter v Johnson (2)
Olesen A/S Spieth (1)
Garcia v Fowler
Updated
DJ slam-dunks his tee shot at 2 into the water! That was nowhere near making it! Poulter makes sure he stays dry, sending his tee shot to the back of the green. Up on 4, Simpson is closer to making a 25-footer to steal the hole than Rose is to making his putt. It’s a half, but a chance spurned by Rose, who has looked out of sorts so far.
Rahm finds the centre of the par-five 3rd in two. Tiger, having driven wild, can only lay up. He chips to 12 feet. Rahm nearly drains his eagle putt. Tiger needs to make his birdie effort ... and he strokes it in carefully. That’s got the great man out of a hole. Meanwhile Rose needs to wake up, and he finally applies a bit of pressure on his opponent by sending his approach at 4 to ten feet, no small feat given the way the pin’s tucked away back-right.
Neither Poulter nor Johnson play good shots into 1. They’re both right at the back of the green, the former just on, the latter just off. Poulter lags up and his par putt is conceded. DJ leaves his putt five feet right. He’s left himself a nervy one, but in it goes. Koepka wedges close at 5 to birdie and win the hole. Rory and JT both spurn makeable chances to win 6.
2UP McIlroy v Thomas (6)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (5)
Rose v Simpson 2UP (3)
1UP Rahm v Woods (2)
Fleetwood v Finau 2UP (2)
Poulter A/S Johnson (1)
Olesen v Spieth
Updated
Birdie for Simpson at 3, and Rose is suddenly two-holes adrift. That missed tiddler still playing on the European star’s mind. Finau’s tee shot at 2 is pushed miles right, but he rolls a putt that must be the best part of 100 feet to a couple of turns. It’s enough for another par, and another hole, because Fleetwood can’t get up and down from the bunker at the back. An undistinguished start for one of Europe’s four-point heroes.
2UP McIlroy v Thomas (5)
Casey A/S Koepka (4)
Rose v Simpson 2UP (3)
1UP Rahm v Woods (2)
Fleetwood v Finau 2UP (2)
Poulter v Johnson
It’s Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson! DJ cracks an iron down the track; the Postman delivers too! Still nobody’s missed the fairway with their opening tee shot, and half of the matches are now out. On 4, Koepka nearly rolls a 20-footer in for the hole, but it dies left at the very last turn. So unlucky. And up on 5, Rory makes a downhill left-to-right curler to scramble par and save the half! Astonishing! Rory is a notoriously streaky putter; Europe will be pleased to see his flat stick appears to be rather warm today.
Updated
Fleetwood goes the way of Casey at 1. Glug. Finau will win that hole unless he takes driver for his ten-footer. Tiger lags up from distance at 2 to share the spoils with Rahm. And Rory’s in a spot of trouble at 5, shortsided and in thick rough. He whips a chip over the flag to 15 feet, the best he could do, but unless he makes that one, Thomas will have two putts from 30 feet for the hole.
2UP McIlroy v Thomas (4)
Casey A/S Koepka (3)
Rose v Simpson 1UP (2)
1UP Rahm v Woods (2)
Fleetwood v Finau 1UP (1)
Poulter v Johnson
Fleetwood sends his second at 1 into Casey’s Bunker. That’s going to be a tricky one, down the glassy green. Especially as Finau has wedged over the flag to 12 feet. On 2, Rahm shows Fleetwood the way to go; he’s in the bunker at the back, and flips a delicate shot out, sending his ball dribbling down close to the flag. That’s delightfully judged.
Tommy Fleetwood and Tony Finau are out! Both men hit the 1st fairway; nobody’s missed yet. McIlroy’s drive at 4 goes into the thick stuff down the left. He does well to power out to the edge of the green. Thomas could only find the edge as well from the centre of the fairway, so he’s let Rory off the hook a little here. Neither player gets particularly close with their chips, then JT misses his eight-foot putt. Rory’s got a chance to win another hole, despite driving into filth! And he takes it! No emotion: he’s promised to keep a lid on it today, after yesterday’s shenanigans. We’ll see how long that lasts! Meanwhile Koepka two-putts for birdie to halve 3 with Casey.
2UP McIlroy v Thomas (4)
Casey A/S Koepka (3)
Rose v Simpson 1UP (2)
1UP Rahm v Woods (1)
Fleetwood v Finau
Yes he can! Tiger does very well to lag his long putt to kick-in distance, forcing Rahm to make birdie to win the hole. But the big Spaniard is never missing! A deserved reward for that stunning wedge into the green. Rose yips from short distance on 2 to gift a hole to Simpson. And Casey nearly holes a wedge on the par-five 3rd; he’ll make birdie, but Koepka’s on the green in two, so you’d expect the US to halve the hole at least.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (3)
Casey A/S Koepka (2)
Rose v Simpson 1UP (2)
1UP Rahm v Woods (1)
Fleetwood v Finau
Updated
Tiger’s second into 1 is decent, no more. He’s left himself a 40-footer for birdie. Rahm barges through the open door, sending a gap wedge to six feet! That’s a sensational shot. Can he convert?
Rory and JT are both greenside at the par-five 3rd in two. The former by the collar, the latter in sand. JT splashes close, maybe six feet, but Rory leaves his effort 12 feet short. However he makes his putt, and seems to have found his equilibrium after that rocky start. But JT has suddenly misplaced his mojo; he can’t make his little right-to-left curler, lipping out on the right, and Europe are now leading in the opening match! Back on 1, Simpson and Rose take two careful putts each for a half ... and up on the tee, Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm larrup gorgeous tee shots down the middle.
1UP McIlroy v Thomas (3)
Casey A/S Koepka (2)
Rose A/S Simpson (1)
Rahm v Woods
Updated
Simpson and Rose crack fine irons down the middle of 1. Rose then finds the centre of the green. Simpson is forced to back off from his approach as the wind changes direction, and a wild cheer goes up elsewhere. Why so much whoopin’ and a-hollerin’? Because Casey trundles in a monster birdie putt on 2! Koepka can’t make a 30-footer, and the second match is all square again! Simpson eventually plays his second at 1, and that finds the middle of the green too. It’ll be a putting competition from 25 feet between him and Rose.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (2)
Casey A/S Koepka (2)
Rose v Simpson
Updated
Thomas very nearly holes out from the sand at 2, but he’s coming downhill and the ball ends up 12 feet past. Rory can only lag up for par ... but it’s good enough, because his opponent can’t make the one coming back. They’re all square again in the lead-out match. No good news for Europe at the 1st, though; Koepka’s in the centre of the green but Casey has flown one in the sand at the back. That’s not the place to be ... a fact illustrated by his splash out, which whistles past the hole, off the green, and into the drink. Up on the tee, Justin Rose and Webb Simpson enter the fray. The FedEx Cup champion versus the Players champ. That should be a great match.
McIlroy A/S Thomas (2)
Casey v Koepka 1UP (1)
Rose v Simpson
Match number two is between Brooks Koepka (boos from the grandstand) and Paul Casey (yays, yippees, etc.) I wonder what’ll be going through Casey’s mind; he’s already talked about this possibly being his last-ever Ryder Cup, given his age. Certainly on home soil. He’ll want to go out on a high, if that ends up being the case. Anyway, both chaps send their irons a good way down the fairway. Meanwhile up on 2, Thomas sends a nerve-fuelled iron into a bunker at the back of the par-three. The door’s ajar for Rory, who finds the middle of the green and will have a putt from 20 feet.
JT’s putt has a right-to-left curl. It’s not easy, 20 feet away, a little downhill. But he drops it into the middle of the cup, and punches the air in delight! New Captain America is up for this! What a start! And it spooks Rory, who tugs a poor effort wide left. The US have the instant boost they were looking for!
McIlroy v Thomas 1UP (1)
Thomas doesn’t fancy toying with the water, so sends his wedge into the heart of the green. Not miles from the flag, mind, 20 feet away. McIlroy decides to go straight at the pin, a shot with a slightly riskier tariff. And fortune favours the brave, as his approach lands ten feet past the pin. Advantage Europe, but both putts are makeable. “Bonjour Scott,” écrit Simon McMahon. “Je pense Docteur le Golf va être très occupé aujourd’hui. C’est vraiment SUR!!! Allez Europe!!!” Bof.
And we’re off! JT receives the booing he’d expect, and smiles wanly. Rory is almost deafened by the roar of approval he’s given. And it’s the 2017 PGA champion to tee off, a determined look on his face. He whip-cracks a solid iron straight down the middle. The it’s Rory, who follows his opponent down the track. Rory’s a bit longer, so JT will be wedging in first. A chance to apply some early matchplay pressure ... or maybe he’ll open the door of opportunity for Rory. It’s on!
Updated
It’s about to happen! The captains Thomas Bjorn and Jim Furyk, gentlemen both, take to the first tee and are greeted with the sort of ovation you’d imagine. Then Rory McIlroy arrives, at which point the Icelandic Thunderclap is performed. Hoo! Huh! What an atmosphere! Rory takes on Justin Thomas, who yesterday completed a reverse takeover of Captain America Industries, out Reed-ing Patrick Reed, taking on the gallery with a comprehensive series of pantomime shushes and ear-cups. Seeing Rory got involved in a spat with the crowd yesterday too, this could be a lot of combustible fun! It’s going to be a lot of combustible fun, isn’t it.
Not long now. The atmosphere’s bubbling at the 1st tee, the 94-step-high stand packed full of increasingly intense spectators. It’s a wild scene. Speaking of which, take a look at these characters! Our gallery includes a picture of Morrissey dressed as the Queen. Seemingly he’s recanted on his position regarding her existential status.
Bonjour!
10-6. It’s the Ryder Cup scoreline that resonates! For example, Europe led 10-6 going into the singles at the K Club in 2006. And they led 10-6 going into the singles at Gleneagles in 2014, too. Europe won both of those Ryder Cups with ease. All hail 10-6!
But that’s not what 10-6 is all about, is it. It’s the lead Europe held going into the singles in 1999 at Brookline. It’s the lead the USA held going into the singles in 2012 at Medinah. And we all know what happened back then. It’s golfing shorthand for that strange unease felt going into the final day with a healthy lead, knowing you should seal the deal, but if a few things don’t go your way early doors, if the opposition get on an roll, make a few putts, chip a couple in, quieten the crowd ... if the nerves begin to jangle ... oh me, oh my. Oh help!
Put it this way: when Thomas Bjorn was interviewed at the close of play yesterday, he didn’t cite the K Club or Gleneagles. The first things that sprang into his mind were Brookline and Medinah. Oh, and Valderrama, where Europe did their level best to ship a second-day 10½-5½ lead in the singles in 1997, but just about scraped through.
So Europe will be nervous, because it’s theirs to lose, and history teaches them the worst can happen from this position. The USA, by comparison, will approach their Sunday tasks with the belief they can nick it and register a victory for the ages; they’ve got nothing left to let slip through their fingers. If they don’t manage it, well, the damage had been done already, and that’s another argument entirely. Jordan Spieth certainly sniffs blood, the USA having won the last two Saturday matches, trimming a 10-4 deficit to 10-6, just like the Europeans did at Medinah: “Team golf doesn’t necessarily say who individually is playing the best golf. But individual matchplay will. If we get a couple of points early, then the pressure shifts solely onto them. It starts to be a quiet and uneasy feeling around here ... and that will be our goal.” Ulp!
Yet look at it this way. Players are going to be nervous at the Ryder Cup whatever; it’s not as though the Americans will be totally immune from the odd cold shudder standing on the first tee. Also, there’s a good reason Europe have a four-point lead right now; they’ve been the better team this week. The only US stars to truly impress have been Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Webb Simpson and Brooks Koepka. Europe by contrast have been well served at stages various by Tommy Fleetwood, Francesco Molinari, Paul Casey, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter and Tyrrell Hatton. It’s been impressive stuff, especially when you consider the slow start they suffered on Friday. It helps to find the fairway, you see.
All of which is a long-winded way of saying: both of these teams will fancy their chances; both of these teams are chock-full of champions who can make it happen. Will Europe get the four-and-a-half points they need to reclaim the cup? Or will the USA pull off a New Brookline for a generation that can only remember the Miracle of Medinah?
Or will it end in a wholly unsatisfactory 14-14 draw?
Here we go, then: the 2018 Ryder Cup singles! This promises to be dramatic, exciting, unbearable, exhilarating, intense, weird, fun, life-affirming and more proof, if any were required, that golf is the greatest sport in the world. Whoever you support, may we wish you the best of luck. Golf fever is raging ... because it’s on! C’est en marche! Won’t somebody please call Dr Golf?
The tee times:
11.05am: Rory McIlroy v Justin Thomas
11.17am: Paul Casey v Brooks Koepka
11.29am: Justin Rose v Webb Simpson
11.41am: Jon Rahm v Tiger Woods
11.53am: Tommy Fleetwood v Tony Finau
12.05pm: Ian Poulter v Dustin Johnson
12.17pm: Thorbjorn Olesen v Jordan Spieth
12.29pm: Sergio Garcia v Rickie Fowler
12.41pm: Francesco Molinari v Phil Mickelson
12.53pm: [adopts ring-announcer voice] Tyrrell Hatton v Patrick Reed
1.05pm: Henrik Stenson v Bubba Watson
1.17pm: Alex Noren v Bryson DeChambeau
Finally, some parish notices. This MBM reporter makes no apology for ... outrageous pro-European bias; outrageous pro-Sergio bias; outrageous pro-American bias through the prism of a self-hating European; paying no heed to think-of-the-kids sermonising should Hatton or Reed lose the place completely, and enjoying every second of the brouhaha too; childish excitement; childish tantrums; childish tears. Hey, it’s all part of the fun. Get on board.
And here’s your cast-iron, no-quibble, GARANTIE OFFICIELLE GUARDIAN!!! There’ll be not a single mention here of Brexit. This solemn pledge also covers other original satirical observations and biting stand-up bits on: golf being a good walk spoiled; golf not being a sport because players don’t require the aerobic conditioning of Eliud Kipchoge; mashed potato; bababooey; people in golf clubs wearing clothing from the 1970s; people in golf clubs having attitudes from the 1970s; Donald Trump. None of that here. Let’s go!
