Category: 2021 Ryder Cup

Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau shake hands, hug after winning Ryder Cup

Brooks and Bryson shared a moment after the American win.

The Golf Channel cameras were ready for when the moment happened.

As members of the U.S. Ryder Cup team were gathering in celebration of defeating the Europeans, Brooks Koepka made his way through his teammates and approached Bryson DeChambeau. The two shook hands and then they hugged it out.

It was quick but it a genuine moment between the two.

Each golfer did his part to help the Americans reclaim the Cup.

DeChambeau defeated Sergio Garcia 3 and 2 in Sunday singles to go 2-0-1 during the week. Koepka took down Bernd Wiesberger 2 and 1 in singles and posted a 2-2-1 mark this week. Now, they’re members of a winning Ryder Cup team.

“(The team) had a mission this week and you could tell, they played great and they came together. I mean, Brooks and Bryson wanted to play together; that’s how much it came together,” captain Steve Stricker said. “That shows a lot about this whole team.”

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

[lawrence-related id=778163460,778163428,778163381,778163384]

U.S. batters its European counterparts to win 43rd Ryder Cup

With youth being served, the U.S. was 12 Strong and all in for one and all.

HAVEN, Wis. – Team USA became a united red, white and blue entity when captain Steve Stricker gathered his troops for a two-day reconnaissance voyage at Whistling Straits along the shores of Lake Michigan a week ahead of the 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup.

With all but the rehabbing Brooks Koepka on hand, the players, caddies and vice captains soaked in the surroundings, bought in on the mission statement, gathered nuggets about playing the rugged course, conversed on strategy, formed partnerships, and connected on the course and over many courses during dinners.

Upon arrival for Ryder Cup week, and with Koepka fitting right in, the Americans followed the untheatrical, positive leadership of Stricker and were a capable, comfortable, combative and confident bunch. Despite six players making their debut in the biennial pressure cooker against Europe, and with youth being served, the U.S. was 12 Strong and all in for one and all.
And then the Americans became hostile hosts.

RYDER CUP: Breakdown of the Sunday singles matches

From the opening tee shot on Sunday, the U.S., which had lost five of the last six matches and was coming off a pasting in Paris in 2018, battered its counterparts and secured possession of the 4-pound, 17-inch tall gold cup with seven matches to play. Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa provided the clinching point for the U.S. with his tie against Viktor Hovland.
The score at that point as 14½-6½. After two decades of being pummeled by Europe, the U.S. has now won two of the last three matches.

Team USA’s Patrick Cantlay reacts to his putt on the third hole during a singles match at the Ryder Cup at the Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin. Photo by Ashley Landis/Associated Press

After surging out to a hefty 6-2 lead on Friday, the U.S. was relentless and ruthless and went up 9-3 Saturday morning and took a substantial 11-5 advantage into Sunday singles action. That was the largest lead held by the U.S. going into the final day since all of Europe joined the Ryder Cup in 1979.

The dominance was so thorough that every American won at least one point during the first two days while six of Europe’s charges won nothing. Only the Spanish Armada of Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, who were a combined 6-0-1 in Foursomes and Four-Ball, kept Europe afloat, but with scant hope.
Heading into Sunday singles, the U.S. needed just 3½ of the 12 points available for victory. The lineup showed that none of the U.S. players in the first six matches had tasted defeat the first two days.

And the victory march started early.

After Rory McIlroy put blue on the board with his win against gold medalist Xander Schauffele in the leadoff match, the Americans unleashed a torrent of superiority.

[vertical-gallery id=778161837]

Rookie Scottie Scheffler put the first red flag on the board by taking down Rahm, who was undefeated the first two days. He won the first four holes and never trailed en route to a 4-and-3 win.

Rookie Patrick Cantlay, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, put the second red flag on the board with a convincing 4-and-2 win against Shane Lowry. Red flag No. 3 came from the efforts of Bryson DeChambeau, who was animated throughout the week and won the large galleries over with his power and interaction. DeChambeau drove the first green at the par-4 first, made the eagle and went on to defeat Garcia, the all-time points leader in Ryder Cup history, 3 and 2.

Morikawa got the clinching half-point. A few minutes later, four-time major champion Brooks Koepka added another point with a 2-and-1 win against Bernd Wiesberger.

“This is going to be the next era of the Ryder Cup team for the U.S. side,” said Cantlay, referencing the average age of 29 of the team. “We have a lot of young guys and I think they are going to be on teams for a long time. We sent out rookies in four out of the first five matches. That’s unheard of and those guys are performing. Everybody gets along. The atmosphere is light, but I know everyone has that killer instinct and we are going to bring that to future Cups.”

European captain Padraig Harrington just didn’t have the horses to make hay in America’s Dairyland. Much of the old guard from the Old Country came up flat, as Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Paul Casey didn’t win a point the first two days.

And Europe’s heart and soul, McIlroy, lost his first three matches and didn’t make a birdie in his last 30 holes played in Four-Ball (he did make one eagle). While he won his singles match against Xander Schauffele, McIlroy fought through tears after the win, the pain of the team’s imminent defeat evident.

“I love being a part of this. I love this team and I love my teammates so much,” McIlroy said. “I should have done more for the team. I’m glad I put a point on the board, but I wish I could have done more. I can’t wait to get another crack at this.”

The next Ryder Cup is in 2023 near Rome. The U.S., meanwhile, had a stable of thoroughbreds here in farm country. The Americans boasted a roster featuring eight of the top 10 players and all 12 being in the top 21 in the world.

They played to their ranking.

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

An emotional Rory McIlroy tearfully gets through post-match interview at Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy cares about the Ryder Cup and if you ever doubted that, doubt no more.

Rory McIlroy cares about the Ryder Cup and if you ever doubted that, doubt no more.

McIlroy was first off in Sunday singles at Whistling Straits in his match against Xander Schauffele. McIlroy hadn’t earned a point for Europe all week but did so on Sunday with a 3-and-2 win over the Olympic gold medal winner.

Along the way, McIlroy let out a loud roar with a birdie putt on the 14th hole. It was the final point he would need. The two halved 15 and 16, where McIlroy closed it out.

After his match, he got very emotional talking to Sky Sports as well as Golf Channel.

“I love being a part of this. I love this team and I love my teammates so much,” McIlroy said as he fought back tears. “I should have done more for the team. I’m glad I put a point on the board, but I wish I could have done more. I can’t wait to get another crack at this.”

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

[lawrence-related id=778163381]

Ryder Cup Sunday singles results: Rory McIlroy wins his first point of the week for Team Europe

Recaps of each Ryder Cup singles match as they end.

After dominating the first two days of play at Whistling Straits en route to an 11-5 lead entering Sunday singles, the United States needs just 3½ points out of 12 to win the Ryder Cup for the first time since 2016.

The U.S. won three of the four team sessions and tied Saturday afternoon’s Four-Balls matches. All 12 Americans had already won a match entering Sunday singles, where they held their largest lead over Europe since 1979.

The Europeans, on the other hand, are tasked with completing the biggest comeback in the history of the biennial event. Advantage Americans.

Veteran Rory McIlroy had yet to earn a point for Padraig Harrington and Team Europe before he took down Xander Schauffele, 3 and 2, to put the first point on the board for the Europeans on Sunday.

Below you’ll find recaps of each match as they end.

Ryder Cup: Scores | How to watch | Format, scoring explained

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

Sunday singles results

Rory McIlroy def. Xander Schauffele, 3 and 2

HAVEN, Wis. – Having been blanked the first two days, Rory McIlroy took on the responsibility of providing a boost for Europe in the leadoff match in Sunday singles action.

Having looked dull, off form and uninterested the first two days – he made one eagle and zero birdies in his last 30 holes of Four-Ball play – the heart and soul of Europe began his round against Xander Schauffele with two birdies and never trailed en route to a victory.

McIlroy, who was 0-3-0 the first two days, kept the pressure on Schauffele, who was 3-0-0 the first two days but never looked to be playing his best on Sunday. McIlroy upped his advantage to 2 up with a par on the fourth and 3 up with a par on the 11th. After dropping a hole, a birdie on the 14th gave him a 3-up lead again.

He closed out the 3-and-2 victory with a par on the 16th.

McIlroy is now 12-12-4 in his career.

Unfortunately, McIlroy’s blue flag was the only one on the scoreboard in the first seven matches.

“I love being a part of this. I love this team and I love my teammates so much,” McIlroy said as he fought back tears after he won the opening match. “I should have done more for the team. I’m glad I put a point on the board, but I wish I could have done more. I can’t wait to get another crack at this.”

The next Ryder Cup is in 2023 near Rome.

USA LEADS 11-6.

– Steve DiMeglio

[vertical-gallery id=778161837]

Patrick Cantlay vs. Shane Lowry, 12:15 p.m.

Scottie Scheffler vs. Jon Rahm, 12:26 p.m.

Bryson DeChambeau vs. Sergio Garcia, 12:37 p.m.

Collin Morikawa vs. Viktor Hovland, 12:48 p.m.

Dustin Johnson vs. Paul Casey, 12:59 p.m.

Brooks Koepka vs. Bernd Wiesberger, 1:10 p.m.

Tony Finau vs. Ian Poulter, 1:21 p.m.

Justin Thomas vs. Tyrrell Hatton, 1:32 p.m.

Harris English vs. Lee Westwood, 1:43 p.m.

Jordan Spieth vs. Tommy Fleetwood, 1:54 p.m.

Daniel Berger vs. Matthew Fitzpatrick, 2:05 p.m.

Bryson DeChambeau drives par-4 first hole Sunday at Ryder Cup, makes eagle against Sergio Garcia

DeChambeau gave the fans a jolt on the first hole Sunday afternoon.

For months Bryson DeChambeau has been the target of rowdy galleries, largely in part due to his rivalry with Ryder Cup teammate Brooks Koepka.

But this week at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin, the American fans have rallied around the bulked-up bomber, and he gave the fans something to cheer about early during his Sunday singles match against Team Europe’s all-time leading scorer, Sergio Garcia.

On the first hole, a 373-yard par-4, the 2020 U.S. Open champion ripped a drive 354 yards, leaving a 41 foot putt for eagle to open the match. DeChambeau, being the showman that he is, walked off the tee box with his putter raised in the air. He’s the lone player to drive the green this week.

Ryder Cup: Scores | How to watch | Updates

DeChambeau would of course make the eagle putt to rile up the fans even more.

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

Why Steve Stricker is OK with (sitting players) Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger chugging beers on the first tee Saturday: ‘I thought it was great.’

“It’s something that’s kind of a Wisconsin tradition, I guess,” said the U.S. skipper.

HAVEN, Wis. — Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger may have started the celebration prematurely when the two U.S. Ryder Cuppers, who were sitting out Saturday’s afternoon Four-Ball session, chugged beers on the first tee at Whistling Straits.

This stunt whipped the crowd into a frenzy. But what did U.S. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker think of it? While it probably took them out of consideration for the Nicklaus-Jacklin Sportsmanship Award, Stricker didn’t seem too concerned that it could provide a jolt of much-needed energy to the European side.

“I was in trying to grab some lunch, but you know, to be quite frank with you, it looks like they are having a good time and enjoying the experience,” Stricker said after the session. “We get ridiculed for being too tight and all that, and then we do something like that where it looks like our team is together and having a good time and trying to get with the crowd. I thought it was great. It’s kind of a Milwaukee Bucks thing where, if I’m not mistaken, I’ve seen ‘Chug a Beer’ on the JumboTron at the Milwaukee Bucks games, and it’s something that’s kind of a Wisconsin tradition, I guess, whether it’s good or bad. It just looks like they are having a good time.”

Indeed, it did, especially with Thomas spiking his beer can like this wasn’t his first rodeo. Fans begged for vice captains Fred Couples and Phil Mickelson to do the same to no avail.

Ryder Cup: Updates | Scores | How to watch | Format, scoring explained

Team USA leads Europe 11-5 heading into Sunday’s 12 singles matches. It’s a margin that has never before been overcome and given the party atmosphere at the first tee on Saturday, there could be quite the celebration at the U.S. team hotel on Sunday if the Americans go on to claim the Cup.

[vertical-gallery id=778161837]

Ryder Cup live updates: Herbert Kohler, who used to play ‘100 rounds a year,’ sees vision fulfilled

Everything you need to know for the Sunday singles matches at Whistling Straits.

After three years of waiting and speculation, it’s time to put the tees in the ground and balls in the air. The 43rd Ryder Cup is here.

The biennial event between 12 of the best golfers from the United States and all of Europe began on Friday morning at Whistling Straits’ Straits Course in Haven, Wisconsin, and it was all America on Day 1. Europe may have won seven of the last nine events, but they’ll need to come from behind, 6-2, if they’re to win or even retain the cup.

From impressive shots to funny fans and everything in between, stay up to date with all the latest news and analysis from Saturday at the 43rd Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup: Live scores | Format, scoring explained

Kohler’s vision shines through at Whistling Straits

Herbert Kohler Jr.. who used to golf 100 rounds a year, doesn’t play much anymore.  Kohler’s courses have hosted major tournaments like PGA Championships in 2004, 2010 and 2015. But the Ryder Cup is another breed. It is the most lucrative tournament in golf and draws the largest media presence.

The Ryder Cup is “the granddaddy of all golf tournaments,” Kohler likes to say, comparing it to the World Series in baseball.

He said hosting the Ryder Cup would rank in the top dozen of his professional accomplishments along with the company’s growth record and other achievements.

Kohler was the CEO of the company that bears his family name from 1972 until he stepped down in 2015. The company, based in Kohler, grew dramatically under his leadership. It has around 6,000 full-time workers in Wisconsin, the majority of whom work in Sheboygan County.

It was Kohler’s idea to take the business best known for bathroom and plumbing fixtures into hospitality and golf. The Kohler hospitality arm runs four resorts and hotels in Wisconsin and a golf resort in Scotland.

This Ryder Cup is the last tournament in a three-event deal Kohler inked with the PGA of America years ago.

Kohler’s Wisconsin courses are not selected for any upcoming tournaments at this time.

“You can’t take much more on than the biggest tournament of all, until you do it successfully,” Kohler said.

Kohler has been credited with changing the landscape for golf in Wisconsin with his courses and focus on only hosting major tournaments.

Before the Ryder Cup American Captain Steve Stricker thanked Kohler for his contributions.

“(Whistling Straits is) just one of those iconic places here in our state thanks to Herb (Kohler) and his family,” Stricker said. “It started right here for Wisconsin golf to be quite honest. I mean, when Herb built these courses along with Blackwolf Run, it kind of put Wisconsin golf on the map.

“Other people and other courses have followed behind but we owe a lot to Herb and his family for being able to have a Ryder Cup here in Wisconsin. Really a dream thing for Wisconsinites and people that are involved here. So thanks, Herb, and to your family.”

— Sarah Heuer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

Ryder Cup: It all comes down to this, Sunday singles matchups and predictions as U.S. team holds an 11-5 lead over Europe

Star-studded matchups will decided winner of the Ryder Cup.

European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington and his 12-man European team are still holding out hope that they can pull off the biggest comeback in Ryder Cup history on Sunday.

All 12 Americans have won a match at the 43rd Ryder Cup as Team USA built an 11-5 lead over Europe at Whistling Straits.

“Six points is a tough one to make up tomorrow,” said Harrington, who was on the losing end of USA’s rally from a 10-6 deficit in 1999 and on the winning side in 2012 when Europe rallied from the same deficit, “ but I think we were a half-point short of that in the Miracle at Medinah on Sunday, so we’re just going to have to push for that tomorrow.”

It’s the largest lead Team USA has held over Europe in the modern era (since 1979) – largest since 1975 – and matched the 2004 European squad that thrashed the Americans. The Americans need to win 3 ½ points out of 12 on Sunday to win the Cup for the first time since 2016.

Team Europe had its first non-losing session on Saturday afternoon, splitting four Four-Ball matches, but for much of the day it looked as if Europe would have won three of the four matches before the U.S. flipped a match late in the day. How big a difference will that make in the outcome?

“Very big. 11-5 versus 10-6, that’s a big difference in my book,” U.S. captain Steve Stricker said.

But the Europeans refuse to relinquish the golden trophy it claimed in Paris in 2018 without a fight.

“We’re still not out of it,” said Shane Lowry, who holed a clutch 10-foot par putt on 18 to secure a full point in the afternoon. “It’s a long day tomorrow, 12 matches. If any 12 of us were going out against any of them in the match play, we would fancy our chances. We just have to believe. It’s all about believing.”

“If that doesn’t go in, Europe’s got no shot tomorrow,”

The 34-year-old Irishman, who sat out Saturday morning’s foursomes session, was looking on his phone Friday night when an inspirational quote popped on the screen and stuck in his mind.

“It was like if you’ve got a 1 percent chance, you have to have 100 percent faith. And I just think that we really need to live by that tonight and tomorrow and go out and give it our best,” Lowry said. “If we can win three or four of the games early on, you just never know. Golf is a funny game. If you’ve got a chance, you just never know.”

Dustin Johnson leads the Americans with a 4-0 record this week and has the perspective of being on the 2012 U.S. side that blew a 10-6 lead in the Miracle at Medinah. “You know, it’s not over,” said Johnson. “We’ve still got to go out, and everybody needs to play well. We’ve still got to get, what, four points, or 3 1/2. You know, it’s not over.”

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

But England’s Ian Poulter didn’t mince words. “We’re not in a good position and it’s going to take a beyond monumental effort,” he said. “So we need a couple of miracles.”

“Hopefully we can rally and at last give them something to maybe sweat about tomorrow in the middle of the afternoon,” said Rory McIlroy, who is winless this week.

“We have a big task tomorrow, and hopefully let’s see if we can make history,” said Sergio Garcia, who teamed with World No. 1 Jon Rahm to win three points and represents one of Europe’s few bright spots.

Sunday singles matchups and predictions

Schauffele vs. McIlroy

Schupak: Schauffele is undefeated this week; McIlroy is winless and has looked lost. This one goes to Team USA.

DiMeglio: I didn’t see McIlroy going 0-2 on the first day and then dropping to 0-3 on the second day. I can’t see him ending the Ryder Cup 0-4. Somehow, he’ll find his form for the victory. Even against the gold medalist.

Cantlay vs. Lowry

Schupak: This is an intriguing matchup. Love the fight Lowry showed but Cantlay, the FedEx Cup champion, is a silent assassin and lives for these moments too. Point for USA.

DiMeglio: The USA fans are going to start sweating as Lowry takes down Cantlay. The par putt he made to give Europe a win in Saturday Four-Ball was a gift to his mother, who was celebrating her birthday. The good vibes continue.

[vertical-gallery id=778161837]

Scheffler vs. Rahm

Schupak: Scheffler beat Rahm in the WGC Matchplay and has played well with DeChambeau as a Ryder Cup rookie, but Rahm has been the MVP of the Ryder Cup, albeit on a losing side. He’s been a stud and is going to earn a fifth point for his team.

DiMeglio: Poor Scheffler. Rahm has been the best player this week and will end the week 4-0-1 with his second singles victory in the Ryder Cup; he beat Tiger Woods in Paris in 2018. He’s the No. 1 player in the world and playing like it. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I have Europe winning the first three matches.

DeChambeau vs. Garcia

Schupak: This is one of the best matchups. Garcia is having another great week and while DeChambeau has been enjoying the fan support, I think Garcia will ball strike him to death. Point for Europe.

DiMeglio: Make that Europe winning the first four matches. Garcia came into the week as the all-time points leader in Ryder Cup history and he will add three points to the total – taking him to 28.5 – with his win in singles. He just finds a way to win in the Ryder Cup.

Morikawa vs. Hovland

Schupak: Oh, boy. I may have to walk with this group because this matchup is a thing of beauty. I can’t pick between these two. I’m calling this one a tie, but it won’t be a pillow fight.

DiMeglio: Two young studs go at it but Morikawa has the slight edge because he hasn’t played four matches like Hovland has. USA puts red on the board.

Johnson vs. Casey

Schupak: Johnson can do no wrong this week. When he’s in full flight, he’s almost invincible and will be too much for Casey.

DiMeglio: DJ is back on form, the form that won him a Masters and a FedEx Cup in 2020. Too much firepower for Casey to handle.

Koepka vs. Wiesberger

Schupak: Let’s hope Koepka doesn’t need another ruling. Either way, he’s going to be too much for Bernd. I really liked the way Koepka played on Saturday afternoon. He’ll get a full point for Team USA and could be the clincher, if someone else doesn’t beat him to it.

DiMeglio: Koepka is just the better player. Wiesberger has played well in his Ryder Cup debut, but Koepka is Koepka and he’s healthy enough to finish off his Ryder Cup week with a win.

Finau vs. Poulter

Schupak: Poulter has been hugely disappointing. Finau has been a solid contributor and he’s got another point in him for Team USA if he keeps putting like he did on Friday. Down goes Poulter’s undefeated record in singles. Point for USA.

DiMeglio: This will be interesting. Finau’s power and passion against Poulter’s precision and passion. I’ll go with the guy who is on form – Finau, who won the first FedEx Cup Playoffs event.

Thomas vs. Hatton

Schupak: Hatton acknowledged he was struggling on Saturday. Thomas is one of Team USA’s fiery leaders. He’s going to get a full point for his team.

DiMeglio: Thomas will shotgun some more beers after he wins his second singles match in the Ryder Cup in as many tries. Just the better player.

English vs. Westwood

Schupak: It’s Lee Westwood’s last stand and I don’t think he’s going to go out with a bang. Very cool to have his son on the bag, but English has the more complete game at this point in their careers. Point for USA.

DiMeglio: English is on form; Westwood is not. USA point.

Spieth vs Fleetwood

Schupak: Jordan Spieth has never won a singles match in international competition since turning pro. That streak ends on Sunday. He gets another point for Team USA.

DiMeglio: I think Fleetwood should have played at least one more match. He pulls out the win.

Berger vs Fitzpatrick

Schupak: The anchor match will be anti-climatic, but Berger won’t let up just because Team USA has already won the Cup. Berger’s going to battle to the end and get a W for Team USA.

DiMeglio: Berger is on form, Fitz is not. Yes, I wrote that for the English-Westwood match, but it characterizes the entire 43rd Ryder Cup. The USA was in form, Europe was not. The end result? USA wins 18-10.

[listicle id=778158961]

Ryder Cup: United States and Europe split Saturday Four-Ball; Americans lead 11-5 heading into Sunday singles

Recaps of all four matches from Saturday afternoon’s Four-ball matches.

HAVEN, Wis. – Affable and animated Shane Lowry put on quite a show in the first match of Saturday afternoon’s Four-Ball action.

Partnered with Tyrrell Hatton against USA’s Tony Finau and Harris English, Lowry knew he had to come up with his best golf to help Europe climb out of a substantial hole at Whistling Straits in the 43rd Ryder Cup.

He did just that.

Lowry birdied the first three holes, added four more and then got up-and-down from 140 yards on the 18th hole to hold off Finau and English, 1 up. After driving his tee shot on 18 into a bunker, he laid up but then knocked his third to 10 feet and with Europe needing full points and not half-points, canned the 10 footer.

Europe needed all of Lowry’s heroics because the quiet and gentle English, who teamed with Finau to pummel Lowry and Rory McIlroy, 4 and 3, Friday afternoon, wasn’t going to let his opponent be a one-man show.

English birdied the first two holes and then traded blows with Lowry throughout a tight, tense match. The two birdied the sixth to tie and the two each birdied the 10th to tie. At the time Europe led, 1 up. Hatton got into the act with a birdie on the 11th to put his team 2 up, but Finau birdied the 13th to cut the lead in half.

English then birdied the 14th from short range but Hatton knocked in a 40-footer for a huge tie. Lowry kept Europe ahead when he made a tough par on the 15, which was matched with a gut-check par from English.

On 16, English nearly chipped in for eagle while Lowry nearly dropped a 40-footer for eagle. Both teams made birdie and Europe led 1 up with two to go.

Ryder Cup: Live scores | Format, scoring explained

After Hatton and Finau parred the 17th, it set up a final-hole showdown.

English actually chipped for the win from 40 feet, but the ball drifted by and he settled for par. And then Lowry ended the show with a brilliant putt.

“I didn’t know I was going to make it, but I was going to do my best,” Lowry said. “Today’s my mom’s birthday. That was for her.”

– Steve DiMeglio

[vertical-gallery id=778162894]

The Spaniard duo wins again, taking down Spieth and Koepka

HAVEN, Wisc. – Earlier this week in Europe’s team room, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm posed for a picture in front of the image of Spanish legends Jose-Maria Olazabal and Seve Ballesteros. They replicated the iconic image of Ollie climbing atop Seve’s shoulders to see where a shot had gone – with Garcia hopping on to the back of Rahm. Good thing Rahm has broad shoulders as he’s done his best at the 43rd Ryder Cup to lift all of Europe and give his team a glimmer of hope heading into Sunday’s singles session.

In bright sunshine and gusting winds on Saturday afternoon, Rahm and Garcia did their best job of channeling the incredible success of Ballesteros and Olabazal in international competition and were the second coming of their Spanish Armada days.

As partners, Garcia and Rahm, the World No. 1, won three out of a possible three points and were the lone bright spot for Team Europe, edging Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth in a Four-Ball match, 2 and 1. (Rahm earned another half point in a Friday Four-Ball with Tyrrell Hatton.)

Rahm pitched close to win the first hole, but Spieth erased Team USA’s deficit with an eagle at the par-5 second. It would be an uphill battle all afternoon for the Americans as Rahm won the third hole with a par and then sank a 45-foot birdie putt at the fourth hole that had perfect line and pace and disappeared into the heart of the cup.

Rahm did it again at the seventh. With Spieth stalking a birdie putt from closer range, Rahm canned a 15-foot birdie putt and pumped his fist. When Spieth’s birdie try slid by, the Spanish Armada 2.0 led 3 up.

Team USA fought back with Koepka doing the heavy lifting. He poured in birdie putts at Nos. 8, 10 and 13 to win all three holes and erase the deficit. Spieth’s putter turned colder than the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, including the cruelest 360-degree lip out you’ll ever see at No. 12.

Europe pulled ahead for good when Spieth missed another 10-foor birdie putt and Rahm rolled in his birdie effort from 7 feet. But Rahm wasn’t done yet. He holed a 29-foot birdie at 16 that left Garcia grinning from ear-to-ear and mouthing the words that he loved his partner. And why wouldn’t he? After all, it was Rahm’s fifth birdie of the day and further proof that the U.S. Open champ is golf’s current alpha male.

– Adam Schupak

[listicle id=778161687]

Ryder Cup rookie Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau take control late and win

Talk about a proper golf match.

The American bomber unit of Scottie Scheffler and Bryson Dechambeau took on Team Europe’s all-hair team of Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland in one of the best matches of the week Saturday during the afternoon Four-Balls session of the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Haven, Wisconsin.

Every time one team made its move, they were met with an immediate response before the match ultimately ended in favor of the Americans, 3 and 1.

Hovland canned a 14-footer for birdie on the par-3 third to take an early 1-up lead before DeChambeau followed suit with a 23-footer to tie the match on the par-5 5th. The Americans took their first lead two holes later with a Scheffler par on No. 7. The Europeans answered with consecutive wins on Nos. 8 and 9 to flip the match at the turn.

DeChambeau began the back nine with another birdie from distance, this time from inside 30 feet, to square the match once again. Fleetwood earned his first win of the match with par on the par-3 12th which the Americans responded to with a DeChambeau birdie two holes later. Scheffler joined in on the fun with a 16-footer to give the Americans a 1-up lead with three to play. The Texan ran with the momentum to another win on the 16th with a birdie after Hovland missed a nine-footer of his own for birdie.

DeChambeau and Scheffler tied Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton on Friday in Four-Balls after losing a 1-up lead with three to play on the final hole. Fleetwood and Hovland also tied Friday afternoon against Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay.

DeChambeau and Scheffler both improve to 1-0-1 in the format, while Fleetwood earns his first loss at 2-1-1 and Hovland at 0-1-1.

– Adam Woodard

[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa move to 3-0 as a pair

For the first time in his Ryder Cup career, Rory McIlroy lost two matches in the same day on Friday. For the first time in his Ryder Cup career, Rory McIlroy was benched, as captain Padraig Harrington held him out of Saturday foursomes.

Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa stood  2-0 as a pair entering the match, including a win early Saturday morning. McIlroy and Ian Poulter were dominated Friday morning as a pair. So, not the most ideal match-up for the European side down 9-3 going into four-ball.

The first hole was halved after Poulter and Johnson both made birdie. Johnson gave himself an eagle look on two to win the hole, it didn’t drop, but his tap-in birdie was good enough to win the hole after McIlroy’s birdie putt lipped out.

Poulter made birdie on the par-5 fifth to bring the match to all square, but an American win on six gave the U.S. duo a 1 up lead once again. Morikawa hit a fabulous iron into the par-3 sixth and capitalized on the birdie putt to go 2 up.

Morikawa needed just par on the eighth, and all of a sudden McIlroy/Poulter were in a 3 down hole. The next six holes were halved, until Collin Morikawa buried a mid-range birdie putt on the 15th. Rory McIlroy had a birdie putt to extend the match, but ran it by on the left side.

Johnson and Morikawa finished the group sessions 3-0 as a pair.

– Riley Hamel

[lawrence-related id=778163267,778163202]

Despite travel headaches and COVID protocols, Ryder Cup fans from Europe are enjoying their experience at Whistling Straits

The European fans are enjoying themselves at the Ryder Cup.

Before the afternoon matches at the Ryder Cup on Saturday, the crowd of  overwhelmingly United States fans who filled the grandstands surrounding the first hole at Whistling Straits sang a spirited rendition of “God Bless America.”

After that song ended, the small pockets of Europe supporters tried to make their own voices heard. A song from a group of five fans decked out in blue-and-yellow suits was drowned out by taunts of “We can’t hear you!”

When the Europe group gamely responded with “Olé! Olé!” chants, they were quickly overwhelmed by the “U-S-A! U-S-A!” chorus that has become ubiquitous this weekend.

Yes, it is tough to be a fan of Europe this year and not just because the Americans raced out to big lead on the first day of the competition. The delay of the biennial event from last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused travel headaches for those coming from across the pond.

Chris Scott, 42, and his group of friends from college in England have been to nine Ryder Cups. The rescheduling caused two members to miss the trip to Wisconsin.

More: Michael Jordan is at the Ryder Cup and he’s fired up after Dustin Johnson’s birdie for the United States team

More: Herbert Kohler says, ‘we just want to create the best’ as Whistling Straits hosts the Ryder Cup

With their sharp, blue-and-yellow suits — and “Guardians of the Cup” emblazoned on the backs — they stand out in the sea of red, white and blue. In normal years there would be a hearty back-and-forth between the two contingents, but the Europe fans are just vastly outnumbered.

“We’re doing everything we can to support Team Europe,” Scott said. “But it’s not the same when everyone else isn’t here. Feel humbled to be here, but otherwise it would be much more fun to have everyone else here.”

Scott and his group are staying in Milwaukee, adding more planning to their travel logistics.

“Three o’clock starts (in the morning),” Scott said. “Pretty tiring. Endurance holiday, but it’s good fun.”

Scott said his group must pass COVID tests to return to England.

“Keeping distance from people as best as we can,” Scott said. “Can’t afford to get stuck in America.”

Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

COVID testing kept Spain’s Beltran Usera from getting the Ryder Cup experience he wanted.

“I have international exemption because of my work,” said Usera, who is involved in banking. “I was going to come with five friends. They didn’t have authorization to come in. So I had to find new friends from Miami.”

Usera was wearing a suit tailor-made with the likenesses of himself and a friend alongside those of Spanish golfing legends Sergio Garcia, Jon Rahm and Seve Ballesteros. Usera also had the Spanish flag tied around his neck.

“It’s so sad because there are no Europeans,” he said.

Usera missed the opening shots on Friday because he had to get a PCR test in Sheboygan. He’s traveling to Brazil on Monday.

It is much easier getting to and from Whistling Straits if you are an Europe fan already in the United States.

Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

John Kelly, originally from Dublin, lives in San Francisco and made the spontaneous decision to attend with his group of four other golf-mad Irish friends in their 30s.

“We were in a bar last Saturday and we were talking about Shane Lowry getting picked (by Europe captain Padraig Harrington),” Kelly said. “And we just looked online and saw tickets were available. The next day we all met up and booked tickets and accommodations and flights.”

They wanted to buy official Europe gear but didn’t have enough time to wait for the shipping. So the friends improvised by buying blue suits and ironing on yellow stars and the Team Europe crest.

“Europeans, there’s not many of us,” Kelly said. “There’s a lot of Irish jerseys. You can kind of spot everybody and group together.”

Contact Ben Steele at (414) 224-2676 or bmsteele@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenSteeleMJS or Instagram at @bensteele_mjs