USA set to regain Ryder Cup
With their lead now extended to 6 points (11-5), the USA now only need 3 1/2 points in the singles to regain the Ryder Cup.
Finally in the afternoon four balls the Europeans showed some defiance drawing 2-2.
To some consternation – but not mine – Rory Mcilroy was dropped in the morning foursomes.
In the previous afternoon he sustained another major defeat. He has yet to gain a single point.
His fellow Irishman Shane Lowry did play well – which he needed to do as he was paired with out of form Tyrell Hatton – to win his four-ball.
I was more surprised that Tommy Fleetwood, who drew in the previous day four-ball, was stood out in the morning foursomes.
Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia are the Europeans marquee pairing, winning every game together.
However the Europeans might have the world’s number one in Rahm but 8 of the next 9 are playing for the Americans.
Golfers like Tony Finau, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele and Daniel Berger might have yet to win a major but they are immensely competent and in form.
Questions will be asked of the Padraig Harrington captaincy but I don’t think a team can be picked that would have beaten this powerful American side.
If he had more wildcards (USA skipper Steve Stricker had six ) he could have picked Justin Rose.
For once the postman Ian Poulter did not deliver, nor did the other oldie Lee Westwood.
There is another Ryder Cup coming up in in a year’s time in Rome and these two might not feature in it.
There will be a temptation to pick an Italian, the obvious one being Francesco Molinari but Andrea Pavan, Guido Migliozzi and Renato Panatore can stake claims.
Still there are some intriguing singles to savour: Bryson deChambeau v Sergio Garcia and Cantlay v Lowry.
After his hissy fit that he was obliged to putt out on the first green you can bet that DeChambeau will not win the Nicklaus/Jacklin concession sporting award.
My two favourite moments were not match related.
The likeable Paul Casey took time out to join in a sing-song with a group of Europe supporters. Then the big man Shane Lowry fell over not once but twice clambering down a slope.
