Europe took a 5-3 lead into day two of the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris after battling back from a 3-1 defeat in the morning four balls to claim all four points in the afternoon foursomes.
It was the first time Europe had won all four foursomes matches – having suffered a 4-0 reverse in the format en route to defeat in Hazeltine two years ago – and their first sweep in either format since 1989.
But it was not just the points tally that will have given European captain Thomas Bjorn cause for optimism that his team can win back the cup, but the crushing nature of the victories, as the home team’s clean ball striking – and superior course management – that enabled them to deal much better with the strong wind that developed through the afternoon as many of the big-name Americans fell apart.
None of the foursomes matches reached the 17th green, with two finishing on the 14th, as the Europeans bounced back superbly to give the huge arms of fans plenty to cheer after they had been quietened by the morning setbacks
Sergio Garcia and Alex Noren led the way by destroying Phil Mickelson and Bryson Dechambeau 5&4, and it could have been even more emphatic as they led by seven after just nine holes.
Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson resumed their highly successful partnership to crush Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler 3&2, having been five holes to the good after 11.
Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy came from two down to beat Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson 4&2, as Poulter was yet again inspired to new heights by the emotion of team competition.
Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, who had won Europe’s only fourballs point, completed a memorable day by hammering Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas 5&4.
Despite giving away the advantage, American captain Jim Furyk was able to put a positive spin on events. “It’s eight points, so the event is still pretty young,” he said. “If we had lost both sessions 2-5-1.5 it would have been the same result, but probably a different feeling. The Europeans played very good golf this afternoon on a difficult setup and in difficult conditions and we didn’t play our best golf. When you see all that blue on the board maybe the guys tried a bit too hard, pressed a bit too hard. “We’re not happy with 4-0, but we play for 28 points and there is plenty of time.”
The American team, seeking a first away win in 25 years, had the better of a nip-and-tuck fourballs session, with Spieth particularly impressive when he and Thomas beat Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton 1-up. Johnson and Fowler won 4&2 against McIlroy and Thorbjorn Olesen, with the former failing to record a single birdie in his round, while Tony Finau and Brooks Koepka came from two down to beat Rose and Jon Rahm on the 18th.
There was no fairytale comeback for Tiger Woods, however, as he and Patrick Reed lost 3&1 to Molinari and Fleetwood to take Woods’ fourball record to nine defeats from 12 games. He was then left out of the foursomes – only the second session he has missed in eight Ryder Cups. However, last week’s Tour Championship winner will be back in action again alongside Reed in a rematch with Molinari and Fleetwood on Saturday, as Furyk chose to send out the same four four-ball combinations for the second day running.