At Medinah in 2012, the challenge for Europe was to overcome a 10-6 deficit in the singles. This year at Gleneagles, it will be to protect an identical margin and retain the Ryder Cup.
Europe produced another brilliant foursomes performance on Saturday, winning three of the four matches before Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer halted the winning march of American rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed and stole half a point by taking the final hole.
The 3.5 points took Europe’s two-day tally to 10, and they now have to get just four points from the 12 singles matches to continue their dominance in the biennial showdown against America and win the Ryder Cup for the eighth time in the last 10 attempts.
Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson got their side going when they beat Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar 2&1 in the first match. The win increased the Englishman’s points tally to 23, one better than the legendary Seve Ballesteros and just two behind the all-time record of Nick Faldo.
The second blue point of the afternoon came courtesy the brilliant pairing of Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson, who got the better of Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler 5&4.
The American pair were clearly tiring having played all four matches so far, but for Europe the young Frenchman was sensational again as he played some stunning shots.
The other two matches were far closer, with Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy just one-up on Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan with five to play, before they claimed two holes of the next three to win 3&2.
The final match looked like going America’s way but Reed missed a three-feet putt on the 16th to make it all square. They then won the 17th, but Spieth’s plan to find the bunker with their second shot backfired as Reed was left with a difficult shot.
They made a par, but Rose calmly drained a five-footer for a birdie and a halve.
“We were talking how important Justin’s putt on 18th was,” said McDowell. “Say they win that match, they take something with them into the locker room. And that’s what happened to us at Medinah two years ago when Rory and Mr Ryder Cup Poulter there did their thing coming down the stretch.
“Despite the fact that we were in a hole, it elevated the whole team. We took some momentum and some kind of belief into the locker room and it kind of filtered through all 12 players.
“That’s why that putt was so huge, because it gave them nothing to take away this evening.”
Westwood said he could have never imagined going past someone like Seve, but did not attach much importance to the achievement.
“It is a very proud moment. To move above Seve Ballesteros in Ryder Cup points is something that I guess you just don’t ever imagine doing. He’s just such a Ryder Cup legend that I would never have dreamt of it,” said the 41-year-old.
“I’ve always said the Ryder Cup is not about individual points totals and stuff like that. It’s about winning the Cup for Europe and winning as many points as possible. But if you perform well and to be in with names like that, it’s obviously very satisfying.”
Joy Chakravarty’s verdict
Team US is 10-6 down because they have not played the foursomes well. Of the eight points up for grabs in the first two days, Europe won seven and USA one.
In contrast, they have won five out of the possible eight points in fourballs. The foursomes is considered a more difficult format of the two because there is just one ball in play for both team members.
It requires a unique chemistry to do well and the Europeans have clearly shown they have it, but that doesn’t mean it’s all over. What Europe managed to do at Medinah will be the USA’s motivation today.
The most impressive thing about Europe is it has been a fantastic team effort rather than relying on No1 Rory McIlroy and the Ryder Cup maestro Ian Poulter which will bond these players together.
The only disappointment would be local hero Stephen Gallacher, but he has been given only one match so far.
