big in vegas
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
NEWPORT, Wales -- The United States has the lead. Europe has the momentum.
Chalk it up to a wacky day like no other at the Ryder Cup.
Going from sunrise to sundown, 24 players managed to grind through an odd mix Saturday: finishing fourball matches, playing entire alternate-shot matches, then getting started on an odd session that included both kinds of matches.
When play was called because of darkness, the U.S. had a 6-4 lead. But Europe was ahead in all six matches that got started late in the afternoon, marked by blue on the scoreboard and giving the home team an undeniable surge of confidence going into another marathon Sunday.
"Momentum is the key in these matches," captain Colin Montgomerie said.
In that case, advantage Europe.
Lee Westwood and Luke Donald were an astonishing 4 up through nine holes on Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker -- that after the Americans won their first two matches to remain unbeaten as partners in team events.
Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy were 3 up through seven holes on Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan, and had marked a short putt that gave the Europeans a chance to extend their advantage when play resumed.
The margins were smaller in the other four matches, but Europe was ahead in all of them.
"That was a very important two hours of play, and we came through it with flying colors," Montgomerie said. "We want to have six blue numbers shining on the board tomorrow morning, and we want them to stay there."
Chalk it up to a wacky day like no other at the Ryder Cup.
Going from sunrise to sundown, 24 players managed to grind through an odd mix Saturday: finishing fourball matches, playing entire alternate-shot matches, then getting started on an odd session that included both kinds of matches.
When play was called because of darkness, the U.S. had a 6-4 lead. But Europe was ahead in all six matches that got started late in the afternoon, marked by blue on the scoreboard and giving the home team an undeniable surge of confidence going into another marathon Sunday.
"Momentum is the key in these matches," captain Colin Montgomerie said.
In that case, advantage Europe.
Lee Westwood and Luke Donald were an astonishing 4 up through nine holes on Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker -- that after the Americans won their first two matches to remain unbeaten as partners in team events.
Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy were 3 up through seven holes on Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan, and had marked a short putt that gave the Europeans a chance to extend their advantage when play resumed.
The margins were smaller in the other four matches, but Europe was ahead in all of them.
"That was a very important two hours of play, and we came through it with flying colors," Montgomerie said. "We want to have six blue numbers shining on the board tomorrow morning, and we want them to stay there."
