Ryder Cup: Europe four points from retaining cup

Donaldson/Westwood beat Johnson/Kuchar 2&1

On Friday Westwood and Donaldson were round in four under, here they improved on that by a shot to add a second win in the foursomes.

Zach Johnson chipped in at the 1st but then found water at the next to immediately hand back the advantage. The match began to turn Europe’s way around the turn when Westwood’s short game was the difference at 9 and 10.

A Kuchar drive and Johnson putt added up to an eagle at the 14th but Westwood muscled a fairway wood to the edge of the 16th to set up a winning birdie and a par was good enough to secure another point.

The win means Westwood passes Seve Ballesteros’ points tally of 22.5 and is now within two of Sir Nick Faldo.  

Kaymer/Rose v Spieth/Reed Halved

Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were finally held as Justin Rose knocked in a five-foot birdie putt at the last for a share of the spoils.

Europe were ahead for just one hole and three straight bogeys gave the youngsters the lead after five holes and they doubled that with a birdie at the next.

The 10th looked to be pivotal when Spieth holed from distance while Rose missed from close range. Pars were good enough for Europe at the 12th and 15th but otherwise Kaymer and Rose had their chances but failed to take them. At the 16th Europe made a bogey from nowhere but, with an 18-inch putt to sneak one ahead, Reed then inexplicably somehow missed.

Rose was undone by the wind at the penultimate hole to see the Americans head up the last one up but they then found a tricky lie in the greenside bunker while Kaymer was able to play a neat escape. It was then left to Rose to put the finishing touches to a brilliant personal day and he rolled it straight in.

"The win means Westwood passes Seve Ballesteros’ points tally of 22.5 and is now within two of Sir Nick Faldo" Garcia/McIlroy beat Furyk/Mahan 3&2

Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia claimed their first full points as the Northern Irishman held the European duo together.

Furyk and Mahan looked brilliant as a pairing in the morning but then handed the home side the first two holes and that proved to be a healthy lead as the next 10 holes were halved.

Mahan’s putting from close range was particularly assured while Garcia’s was timid but birdies at the 14th and 16th were enough for crucial wins.

McIlroy and Garcia ended their partnership with a win, half and defeat, not quite the return that many would have hoped for but McIlroy’s form will provide plenty of confidence going into the singles.

Dubuisson/McDowell beat Walker/Fowler 5&4
Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell made very short shrift of the previously unbeaten American pair as they totted up an impressive five birdies.

The Americans only won one hole, when they were already five down, as Dubuisson hit a succession of approaches to close range.

At the 3rd he drilled a second shot, into the wind, to a few feet and did the same at short 6th and 10th. At the latter Walker followed the Frenchman into two feet and Fowler followed it up with a birdie at the next but the damage had already been done.

Dubuisson signed off by finding the heart of the par-4 14th and two putts edged Europe nearer the magic 14 points.