US Dominates as Europe Struggles to Keep Hope Alive in Ryder Cup Battle
The third session of the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits dealt a near-fatal blow to Europe’s defense of the prestigious title, leaving the team with little hope of a comeback. Starting the day trailing by a 6-2 deficit, Padraig Harrington’s team fought valiantly in the foursomes but were ultimately defeated 3-1 in the morning session.
Europe’s sole point came from the inspired Spanish duo of Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm, who led with passion and determination. However, by the time their match was settled, it was evident that Europe was facing another crushing defeat. Dustin Johnson and Collin Morikawa held off Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton’s late charge, while Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth outclassed Bernd Wiesberger and Viktor Hovland. The dominant pairing of Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay was too much for Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick to handle.
With the score standing at 9-3 in favor of the US, Europe now faces a near-impossible task in the afternoon fourballs. With 16 points still up for grabs, the US needs just 5.5 more points to secure victory. The afternoon sun over Lake Michigan highlighted the stark contrast between the US’s confidence and Europe’s dwindling hopes.
Harrington’s controversial decision to drop Rory McIlroy from his pairings adds another layer of scrutiny to the European team’s struggling performance. Despite Garcia and Rahm’s relentless efforts, Europe finds itself overwhelmed by the home crowd and the dominance of the US team.