Ryder Cup: USA Take The Lead
Woods wins, USA take the lead
Following one day delay due to heavy rain, the United States started very well their way through the Ryder Cup trophy to take the lead over the Europeans. Thus, there were the rookies who brought the first advantage for the Americans to put Corey Pavin’s side 1-0. Both Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson won their first full point on Saturday with a 3-and-2 victory over the favored team of Padraig Harrington and Luke Stricker. Meanwhile Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker drove the US team into the lead with a 2-up win over Ross Fisher and Ian Poulter.
The seven-hour Friday rain transformed the day of Saturday as a pretty busy one. On the other side, there were the Europeans who managed to get the first blue on the board as pair Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood closed out a three-and-two victory over Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson. Pairing Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlyroy came behind from a two-down deficit through eleven holes overnight to win a half with Matt Kuchar and Stewart Cink. The 21-year-old McIlroy made his first birdie on his Ryder Cup debut at the par three 13th to repeat the performance with a 20-footer at the 17th. However, it was the second time in 25 years for the Europe team to lose the opening season. The Americans’ lead denied Montgomerie’s yesterday assertion. This said he foresees the Europeans favorites in front of the US. At one day, things seem to look contrary. At least for the moment. The only man who looked very confident with Americans’ rookies start was Pavin. “I think they will do well and I’m not afraid to put them out there. You can pull two names out of a hat for both teams and put them together to get some great matches,” he would declare on Friday.
There is left to tee off the match between Miguel Angel Jimenez and Peter Hanson, and Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Although he was selected just before the team departed in Wales, Tiger Woods confirmed his solid contribution for Pavin’s side. However, both Stricker and Woods missed makeable birdie tries on 17. Finally, Stricker’s four was good enough to bring the lead as none of the Europeans were able to find at the par five 18th.
