Published July 17, 2008 on September 29, 2018

Europe Dominate Foursomes to Lead at The Ryder Cup

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Team Europe rallied from a 3-1 deficit to claim a clean sweep for the first time ever in a Ryder Cup foursomes session and lead 5-3 going into the second day at Le Golf National, in Paris, France.

An incredible fightback, led by Ryder Cup veterans Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, saw Europe sweep a session for the first time since 1989, a rare feat that they have achieved just twice, both times in fourball sessions.

During this morning’s fourballs, the United States won the first three matches of the day as Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau beat Justin Rose and John Rahm 1 Up, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler defeated Rory McIlroy and Thorbjørn Olesen 4&2, while Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas overcame Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton 1 Up.

The shining light for Captain Thomas Bjørn’s European side was the performance of Open Champion Francesco Molinari and 2017 Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood. The pair defeated Patrick Reed and Tiger Woods 3&1, avoiding the possibility of a whitewash in the first session as seen at Hazeltine in 2016.

Bjørn made the decision to send out the experienced pair of Rose and Stenson first in the afternoon foursomes session, in what would be their seventh match together, against Johnson and Fowler. They won Europe’s second point of the day as they defeated the Americans 3&2.

Moments later, Europe’s third and fourth points of the day were secured with McIlroy and his afternoon partner Ian Poulter defeating Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 4&2, with Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren beating Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau 5&4.

Molinari and Fleetwood, returning to action for the afternoon session, defeated Thomas and Spieth 5&4, with Fleetwood becoming the first European Rookie since Garcia in 1999 to win both their games on the first day of a Ryder Cup.

The duo will play their third match together on Saturday morning in the fourball sessions, drawn against Woods and Reed.

 

Saturday Morning Fourball Session
Match One – 08:10 Rory McIlroy Sergio Garcia	Vs	Brooks Koepka Tony Finau
Match Two – 08:25 Paul Casey Tyrrell Hatton	Vs	Dustin Johnson Rickie Fowler
Match Three – 08:40 Francesco Molinari Tommy Fleetwood	Vs	Tiger Woods Patrick Reed
Match Four – 08:55 Ian Poulter Jon Rahm	Vs	Justin Thomas Jordan Spieth