Golf Ryder Cup 2010: US manage a lead of one point on the second day
United States manages to earn one-point lead after the opening four balls.
Although Europe started strong with three of its groups, earning a lead over the Americans but the team with players like Tiger Woods has finally earned one point lead against the hosts.
The four balls started with Europeans having an edge of weather and the course. World number three Lee Westwood and USPGA champion Martin Kaymer badly wiped out Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson by 3 and 2 in the opening match.
Later Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell surged back into the attacking mode from two down with six to play to halve their match with Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar. However, the surprising element was the pair of rookies who had been much criticized but turned
out to be a gush of fresh air for the captain. Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson wrapped 3 and 2 win over Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington.
As for the players of the third match, Steve Stricker carried Tiger Woods to a two-hole victory over Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher.
Lee Westwood gave a superb performance, despite of his comeback after a gap of two months. Westy was under treatment for the calf injury, a threat which was hampering his participation in the Ryder Cup.
Speaking to the press Westwood said, "It's good to be here, it makes the hard work and the rehab worth it, but like other Ryder Cups I picked a good partner. The atmosphere seems to get better - every green, every tee and down the fairways they are screaming
your name. It's unbelievable.”
McIlroy got the loudest applause of the week. He rolled a birdie from 30ft on the 17th hole and got his partner on the level terms to ensure the second match would go down the 18th. All four golfers found the 18th fairway but Kuchar and McDowell
failed to reach the greens, as they were far behind. Trouble trailed behind Cink when his shot got slashed and rolled down the steep slope into the water hazard. The same moment, McIlroy took a shot, and it made its way straight into the water not to be
recovered again.
The camera caught McDowell saying to McIlroy, "I've got you covered, it's all right," as they walked down the fairway. Moments later Mc Dowell’ s heart came to his mouth when his pitch span back past the pin and was stopped few inches from rolling into
the water. This fluke left the Americans to make a fast strike, but unfortunately they failed to convert it into a 20 feet birdie.
Speaking to the press McDowell said, “Rory was on maximum yardage and didn't quite make it, when mine landed I would not have taken it back for a second, but about five or six seconds later I would have done. Thankfully the greens staff left a little bit
of fringe.”
Later commenting about his partner McDowell added, “This kid (McIlroy) was unbelievable this morning. We struggled yesterday but this guy was off the charts this morning. He's one of the best players in the world and one of the best I've ever seen."
In reply of this generous comment McIlroy said, “I said to G-Mac walking up to 17 let's try to make a two and I was able to do it. It was an unbelievable feeling with so much support and buzz from the crowd. This is certainly different.....we could have
sneaked a win on the last but from two down with six to play we'd probably have taken a half."
So far, America is apparently in the lead and chances for the European victory are getting lesser and lesser, as the tournament progresses.
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