US Lead Europe By Three In Ryder Cup

The United States will take a three-point advantage into the final day of the Ryder Cup, leading Europe 9½-6½.

Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters briefly tied the scores by winning the first of the Saturday afternoon fourballs.

But the Americans restored their advantage through victories for Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, and Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar at Hazeltine.
Lee Westwood missed from three feet on the 18th when he and Danny Willett had the chance for a half.

The US need five points from Sunday’s 12 singles matches to win the Ryder Cup for only the third time in 23 years, while Europe need 7½ to retain the trophy they have held since 2010.

Europe will no doubt draw on their experience at Medinah four years ago, when they won despite trailing 10-6 after two days, but then an Ian Poulter-inspired Europe had built up a head of steam going into the final day, reports the BBC.

Here, the US rebounded from taking only 2½ points from the previous nine to win the final three fourballs matches on a glorious afternoon in Minnesota.

That, coupled with Westwood’s miss – which would have cut the deficit from three to two points – has left the home side with the momentum.