SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES – Europe prepared for a strong comeback bid from the United States as day two of the Ryder Cup began on Saturday morning, with the hosts owning a 5-3 edge ahead of four fourball matches.
The Europeans swept a foursomes session for the first time on Friday afternoon, rallying for a two-point lead from the opening day at Le Golf National and stunning the Americans.
World number six Rory McIlroy, who joined Ian Poulter in beating Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 4 and 2 in foursomes, expects a heated US challenge.
“We know we’re going to have to come out on fire this morning,” McIlroy said.
“The Americans aren’t going to be happy. They are going to come out looking for revenge, and we’re going to have to play well to counter that.”
Photo of the week so far 😂 #TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/fItis5KhRM
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2018
Asked about the team’s mood last night, McIlroy replied: “It was good. I wouldn’t say we got over-excited.”
And US captain Jim Furyk said his side was not distraught at the early stumble.
“There was no dark cloud in the room,” Furyk said. “A lot of work left to do for us. We will shake things up in the foursomes.”
European captain Thomas Bjorn went with experienced pairings to open day two, starting with four-time major winner McIlroy and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia against Tony Finau and third-ranked Brooks Koepka, this year’s US Open and PGA Championship winner.
“They will come strong and give us a good go. We expect some tough matches out there,” Bjorn said.
“We’re quite happy with the way it went yesterday, and so we’ll go again.”
Bjorn did his best to keep the team focused on the work to be done and not the final goal.
“You’ve got to stay with the plan. You have got to go through it,” the Dane said.
“It all swings back to you. You have to keep everyone focused on what is right in front of you, and not what’s going to happen on Sunday night.”
Italy’s Francesco Molinari, the reigning Open Championship winner, and England’s Tommy Fleetwood are rematched against 14-time major champion Tiger Woods and reigning Masters winner Patrick Reed, whom they beat on the way to a 2-0 start to their Cup.
And we're off....
Garcia gets #RyderCup day two underway for #TeamEurope. pic.twitter.com/FHmbb8u7Ts
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 29, 2018
Englishmen Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton were paired again against top-ranked Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.
And Poulter will join Spain’s Jon Rahm in facing US boyhood pals Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
“We’re obviously enjoying the fact of winning an afternoon session 4-0,” Poulter said.
“What that does to the American team, I’m not really sure... it’s not a nice feeling.
“You just have to pick yourself up, and go back out and try and turn it around.”