by Rebecca Bryan
KOHLER, United States - Rory McIlroy's Ryder Cup struggles are emblematic of the trouble Europe finds itself in -- down a whopping six points to the United States heading into Sunday's singles matches.
The Northern Ireland Star, playing in his sixth Ryder Cup, didn't make a single birdie as he and fellow veteran Ian Poulter lost for the second time this week, falling 4&3 to Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa in Saturday afternoon four-balls.
McIlroy, a four-time major-winner, has lost all three of his matches without even reaching the 16th hole.
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He needs a singles win to avoid coming away from a Ryder Cup without a match victory for the first time.
The latest defeat followed a morning foursomes session in which McIlroy was benched by European captain Padraig Harrington.
Drama and emotion were on full display today.#RyderCup pic.twitter.com/xeKHZYmW2m
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 26, 2021
The 32-year-old had competed in all 24 sessions from his debut in 2010 through 2018 and compiling an 11-9-4 record while the team won four of five times.
"Obviously disappointing," McIlroy said. "Disappointing not to contribute a point for the team yet.
Live now from the 43rd #RyderCup, @collin_morikawa https://t.co/g8k6QJk9qx
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 25, 2021
"So hopefully just go out tomorrow and try my best to get a point, and hopefully we can rally and at last give them something to maybe sweat about tomorrow in the middle of the afternoon."
Spain's Sergio Garcia, starring alongside top-ranked compatriot Jon Rahm in his 10th Ryder Cup, was seen consoling McIlroy after his latest disappointment.
"I told him the absolute truth," said Garcia, who with three wins in three matches this week has claimed the Ryder Cup record of 25 -- surpassing Nick Faldo's 23.
"I told him that not only me but the whole team is proud of him no matter if he goes 5-0 or 0-5; that we love him and that we are always proud of the effort that he makes and the heart that he puts into his golf and into the team," Garcia said. "It's as simple as that."
AFP