Europeans lead Ryder Cup but?
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 The 38th Ryder Cup | Day Three | 04 Oct 2010
Despite a three point lead (9½ to 6½) heading into Monday’s twelve Singles matches, the outcome of the 2010 Ryder Cup is delicately poised. Europe need a further five points to claim the Cup back from the Americans who in tune need 7½ points in order for them to retain the trophy.
The amazing comeback by the European side in Session Three on Sunday has given them the ascendency but they and everyone else close to the action knows it is not over and the opening few encounters in the Singles matches will go a long way towards determining the fate of this year’s contest.
The world number three Lee Westwood will take on the world number four Steve Stricker in the opening clash on Monday morning, the momentum from that match perhaps a litmus test for the overall outcome.
They will be followed by Rory McIlroy against Stewart Cink and then Luke Donald against Jim Furyk. Those juicy early encounters will set the scene for what is to follow.
Despite the debacle of inadequate wet weather gear and the decided home town advantage of their opponents, the Americans were in charge before the 5½ to ½ drubbing they received in Session Three which had became a combination of two Foursomes and four Fourball matches.
When those matches had been called to a halt as a result of darkness on Saturday evening, the Europeans were ahead in all six and when they eventually returned to the golf course in the early afternoon on Sunday they won five and halved the other. Play had been delayed into the early afternoon as a result of further rain early on Sunday
The half came when Francesco Molinari birdied the final hole in the closely fought battle he and his brother Edoardo were having with Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar. They were the only of the Europeans not to win on Sunday but the half point may yet prove crucial.
That resulted in a five point swing in the Europeans favour and with the overall score of 9½ to 6½ things are looking good for the local side.
With the weather for tomorrow’s final day looking promising, the encounter should go the full distance. If it does not and weather delays play at all, then any matches not completed prior to darkness will be declared as a half point to each side.
The atmosphere tomorrow promises to be electric and given the advantage the Europeans enjoy playing in front of a partisan crowd then they are the favourites to win. The pressure of the Ryder Cup and the possibility of winning back this time honoured trophy in front of a home crowd calling for American blood will see many of the European side exposed to a pressure the likes of which they have never before experienced.
Bring it on. This promises to be yet another gripping final day charged with emotion.
