bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Rory McIlroy took a bow before hostile fans after completing a European fightback Friday at the Ryder Cup, but the United States still led 5-3 thanks to a foursomes whitewash.
The Americans, losers of three in a row and eight of the past 10 meetings in the biennial team golf rivalry, swept the opening session for the first time since 1975 for a 4-0 morning edge at Hazeltine.
But Europe answered by taking the afternoon four-ball matches 3-1 with McIlroy sinking a dramatic eagle putt to lift the world number three and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters over US Open champion Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar 3 and 2.
“They seemed to birdie every hole and Rory made a bunch of them,” US captain Davis Love said. “It’s frustrating not to come out a little bit more ahead.”

After sealing the victory, McIlroy turned and made several bows to the crowd before pumping his fists and sharing a victory hug with Pieters, one of six Cup newcomers on Europe’s squad.
“It’s pretty hostile out there, I must say,” McIlroy said. “You don’t want to let that get to you but you want to let them know when you hole a putt how much it means to you.”
McIlroy and handpicked English rookie partner Andy Sullivan of England led 2-up with four holes to play in foursomes only to lose 1-up to Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler in the day’s tightest match.
“It’s incredible,” McIlroy said. “I’ve played one Ryder Cup in the US and this is definitely a little more hostile than the one at Medinah.”
That’s where Europe made the greatest last-day comeback in Ryder Cup history to defeat a Love-captained US side.
The latest rally meant a lot to McIlroy’s Northern Ireland countryman Darren Clarke, the Europe captain, after the early epic fail.
“They showed true bravery and heart to go out and play they way they did this afternoon,” Clarke said. “It shows how strong we are to come out with that performance being down that much. The golf was scintillating.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of these guys.”

Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello defeated J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore 3 and 2, not allowing the US duo to win a hole until the 14th.
“It was important because we didn’t have a good morning,” Garcia said. “We needed to go out here and do something better. Three points (is) amazing. We’re back in it.”
Olympic champion Justin Rose and British Open champion Henrik Stenson split two matches with Americans Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, showdowns of duos that went unbeaten in 2014.
England’s Rose and Sweden’s Stenson won 5 and 4 in four-balls after Reed and Spieth took the foursomes match 3 and 2.
“The afternoon was brilliant,” Rose said. “We got up and running and played pretty well. We were pretty happy with our performance in the morning but we missed a couple of putts.
“It makes it a little sweeter when you beat the people who beat you in the morning.”

Masters champion Danny Willett, an Englishman whose brother insulted US golf fans in an internet article this week, was heckled often in his Cup debut, a 5 and 4 four-ball loss alongside Germany’s Martin Kaymer to Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka.
“It was anticipated,” Willett said. “Coming to America is a tough one. They gave me a little bit more. It was exactly what we thought it was going to be. There was a few little shouts in there, and bits and bobs.”
Kaymer also lost in foursomes alongside Garcia, leading 1-up after 11 holes only to drop the final five in losing to Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker 4 and 2.
The other US foursomes triumph saw Kuchar and Dustin Johnson beat Pieters and 10-time Cup starter Lee Westwood of England 5 and 4.
“We redeemed ourselves pretty well,” Pieters said after he and McIlroy won. “Can’t wait to get back out there.”
Saturday will see four more foursomes matches followed by four four-ball matches with 12 concluding singles matches Sunday.
Europe as trophy holders need only 14 points to retain the Cup while the US squad needs 14 1/2 to take the trophy.


U.S Captain Jim Furyk tweaks Ryder Cup selection process to put emphasis on form

‘Cretins’ and ‘dim Yanks’: my brother was right about US Ryder Cup fans, says Danny Willett

Europe hotshot Rory McIlroy has no Ryder Cup regrets after playing pantomime villain at Hazeltine

Tears flow as emotional United States win Ryder Cup at Hazeltine to finally end losing streak

Ryder Cup 2016

Fired-up McIlroy leads Europe fightback as US cling to 5-3 Ryder Cup lead

Rory McIlroy of Europe reacts on the 16th green after making a putt to win the match during afternoon fourball matches. AFP

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Thomas Pieters of Europe plays a shot on the ninth hole during afternoon fourball matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 30, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

epa05564603 Sergio Garcia of Spain hits out of a bunker on the twelfth hole during the afternoon Four-Ball matches during the Ryder Cup 2016 at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA, 30 September 2016. The Ryder Cup 2016 runs from 29 September to 02 October. EPA/CRAIG LASSIG

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Danny Willett of Europe hits off the first tee during afternoon fourball matches of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 30, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Brother’s rant did not affect Danny Willett’s Ryder Cup foursomes omission, says captain Clarke

Team Europe’s Danny Willett has not been selected as one of Darren Clarke’s foursome pairings for the Ryder Cup. Photo: EPA

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 29: Danny Willett of Europe speaks in a press conference during practice prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 29, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. David Cannon/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 29: Danny Willett of Europe speaks on a phone during the 2016 Ryder Cup Captains Matches at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 29, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 29: Captain Darren Clarke of Europe speaks during the 2016 Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 29, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Andrew Redington/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Fat, stupid, classless imbeciles: European Ryder Cup player’s brother lets rip at Americans ahead of Hazeltine showdown

Team Europe golfer Danny Willett will have to deal with the fallout from his brother’s explosive comments. Photo: USA Today

Sep 28, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Team Europe’s Danny Willett reacts to a missed putt on the 17th green during a practice round for the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

epa05561185 Team Europe's Andy Sullivan (L) and Team Europe's Danny Willett (R) sign autographs for fans as they make their way through the crowd during practice for the Ryder Cup 2016 at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, USA, 28 September 2016. The Ryder Cup 2016 runs from 29 September to 02 October. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Tiger harm: Lee Westwood questions Woods’ vice-captaincy role in US Ryder Cup team

Europe’s Lee Westwood has suggested the presence of Tiger Woods could hinger the US team at Hazeltine. Photo: EPA

FILE - These file photos show the Europen golf team for the upcoming Ryder Cup matches at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minn. They are: top row from left, Rafa Cabrera Bello, of Spain; Matt Fitzpatrick, of England; Sergio Garcia, of Spain; Martin Kaymer, of Germany; Rory McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, and Thomas Pieters, of Belgium. Bottom row, from left, Justin Rose, of England; Henrik Stenson, from Sweden; Andy Sullivan, of England, Lee Westwood, of England; Danny Willett, of England and Chris Wood, from England. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2014, file photo, from left, Europe players Jamie Donaldson, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose pour champagne over captain Paul McGinley as they celebrate winning the 2014 Ryder Cup golf tournament at Gleneagles, Scotland. The last Ryder Cup felt like the last straw for the Americans. After yet another loss to Europe, the Americans created a task force to try to find the best captain, to develop the best process for picking a team to have the best chance at winning. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell, File)

FILE - In this sept. 23, 2006, file photo, Europe's Darren Clarke, right, is congratulated by Tiger Woods, of the United States, on the 16th green after Clarke and Lee Westwood won their fourball match against Woods and Jim Furyk by 3 and 2 on the second day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club golf course, Straffan, Ireland. Clarke knows his way around the spotlight. Europe's Ryder Cup captain won only one major as a player, but was often at his best when it mattered most. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours, FIle)

What time does the 2016 Ryder Cup start in Hong Kong? And how can I watch it on TV?

The 2016 Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony was held on Thursday at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Photo: AFP

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 29: A general view as United States players walk to the green during practice prior to the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 29, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

CHASKA, MN - SEPTEMBER 29: United States and European fans pose during the 2016 Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony at Hazeltine National Golf Club on September 29, 2016 in Chaska, Minnesota. Sam Greenwood/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Sport

Golf

Foursomes whitewash gives Americans the edge after day one
