Ryder Cup: US cling on to lead after Europe fightback

Europe’s Rory McIlroy reacts after his putt during a four-balls match at the Ryder Cup in Chaska on Friday. (Photo: AP )

Rory McIlroy took a bow before hostile fans after completing a European fightback on 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. 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.

Braveheart Europe rallies 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.”