Jimenez bests Bubba to bring Europe ever closer to Ryder Cup
Miguel Angel Jimenez brought Europe a point closer to reclaiming the Ryder Cup with his 4&3 victory over Bubba Watson this afternoon. Europe now lead the US 13-11, after Tiger Woods won his match earlier this afternoon against Francesco Molinari.
The Spaniard had duelled with Watson over the course of the front nine, but after going 1up on the 8th Jimenez never put a foot wrong, going 2up and then 3up without the American ever threatening to make a real fight of it.
But Woods was on fire this afternoon, defeating the Italian 5&3 to keep things tight between both teams. And Jeff Overton scored another vital point for the USA when he beat Ross Fisher 3&2, despite Fisher taking the lead against Overton on the 1st hole. After that Overton squared things on the 12th and from there Fisher's game went badly awry, the Englishman bogeying the 12th, 13th and 14th to allow his opponent to make some headway. It got worse, on the 15th Fisher finding water, his confidence seemingly shot.
Luke Donald and Ian Poulter had earlier won their matches to score two points for Europe, while Rory McIlroy gained a valuable half point after squaring his match with Stewart Cink. But Lee Westwood lost his match to Steve Stricker, while Dustin Johnson beat Germany's Martin Kaymer to claim a vital point for the USA.
Of the games still in action, the USA lead in four, though if those matches were to finish as they currently stand, Europe would claim victory. The key game looks to be the match between Hunter Mahan and Graeme McDowell - where McDowell is currently leading 2up, with seven to play.
Fisher v Overton USA WIN 3&2
Jimenez v Bubba EUROPE WIN 4&3
F Molinari v Tiger USA 4 UP (14)
E Molinari v Fowler EUROPE 3 UP (14)
Hanson v Mickelson USA 3 UP (13)
Harrington v Zach Johnson USA 5 UP (13)
McDowell v Mahan EUROPE 2 UP (11)
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