On the street after three sessions, the American captain made do with what he had left to begin an embryonic comeback. With his inert bosses sent to the stands (Scheffler, Koepka), deprived of a sick Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson tried two new, almost improbable pairs (Cantlay-Clark, Burns-Morikawa) but which, ultimately, managed to bring red pomodori on the Roman leaderboard.
While their team room has been burning like a crate since the day before, the holders light the fire from the first hour of the four-ball, also taking advantage of the rest of the European warriors (Rahm, Lowry on the bench). Three games quickly up for America, with a state of mind finally inspiring rebellion. Like the unstoppable Sam Burns (4 birdies on the first leg), who, mocked by the public for his mullet cut, played “I hear you more Saint-Etienne”, with his hand on his ear with an “F… bomb” as a bonus track. Same quarrelsome temperament on the part of certain US caddys, who, tired of the celebrations of missed putts, will touch the mallet with certain excited Roman public.
Europe remains in an ultra favorable position
With two points quickly in the bank, the USA team will come back to five lengths. But like Friday, the setting sun marks the return of European fury. Once again by the grace of its leaders, carried by an increasingly warm and accommodating public. Hating defeat even more than victory, still marked by the correction received two years before at Whistling Straits, Rory McIlroy shows his teeth and fists in money time, while in the other match, the magnificent veteran Justin Rose, 43 years old, puts on everything he can on the greens. But carried by a rediscovered Patrick Cantlay, America ultimately won this session.
On the eve of the twelve singles, Europe remains in an ultra-favorable position to recover the cup. Only four points will be enough for them and it will take a miracle never seen before to see America escape Italy with the cup. Short of credible solutions, Zach Johnson’s men will always be able to recall the distant memory of Brookline 1999, when America came back from 10-6. But they will need eleven more Cantlays to dream about it out loud.
Match 1 : Sam Burns – Collin Morikawa b. Viktor Hovland-Ludvig Aberg, 4&3
Logically renewed after having exploded Koepka – Scheffler in the morning, the Scandinavian pair obviously had no more juice, for this fourth consecutive match played by Hovland. Faced with rediscovered and united Americans (7 birdies on the first twelve holes, four on the outward leg for Burns, three on the return leg for Morikawa), Aberg’s late reaction will ultimately not be enough.
Match 2 : Homa – Harman b. Fleetwood – Hojgaard, 2&1
With Homa finally succeeding in putting, rewarding a swing of efficiency worthy of his last 18 months on the PGA Tour (5 birdies, 1 eagle), the American pair took the lead in match 1. Led 4up after the hole 9, with a lonely Fleetwood (a birdie for Hojgaard), the Europeans will only last until the 17th thanks to the magic of the Englishman.
Match 3 : Rose – McIntyre b. Spieth – Thomas, 3&2
The two blond Americans had never lost together in four-ball. Far from their past, inconsistent levels, the indestructible exes are sent to the bottom by an admirable Rose, 43 years old, with clinical putting like never seen in his long and beautiful career. Putter and index finger in the air, the Englishman did almost everything alone, like the day before.
Match 4 : Cantlay – Clark b. McIlroy – Fitzpatrick, 1 up
An unspectacular launch (only one birdie in four players, on the first ten holes), before a thrilling finale on the 18th green. Long led by McIlroy in Ballesteros mode, furious but far too alone, the unprecedented American pair saved the day thanks to a solid Patrick Cantlay. A “Patty Ice” finally worthy of his status as world top 5, whose two final birdies offer the point, the session (3/1) and the beginnings of a smile for his team.
2023-09-30 17:08:28
#Europe #leads #United #States #fourball
