• Ryder Cup: Day One Foursomes

Spoils shared on first Medinah morning

ESPN staff
September 28, 2012
Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson proved a strong partnership © Getty Images
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The Ryder Cup gets underway at Medinah Country Club on September 28. ESPN will have extensive coverage of the event - including interactive text commentary, reports and reaction - for all three days.

Europe and the United States shared the spoils on the opening morning of the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club, as Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley stole the show with a surprise demolition of Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia.

The Anglo-Spanish pairing had never previously been beaten in foursomes in this competition, but Ryder Cup rookie Bradley and Mickelson - making a US record ninth appearance - ripped up the form-book on Friday as they won four successive holes to secure a well-deserved 4&3 success by the 15th green.

Jose Maria Olazabal's headline duo, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, soon hit back with a final hole victory over Brandt Snedeker and Jim Furyk, although only after the Americans had erased a three-hole deficit on the back nine to send things up the 18th.

Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner then completed a comfortable 3&2 win over Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari, as the Italian was let down somewhat by the Englishman's rogue putting. The two other Englishmen on course ensured that the morning session would end even, however, as Ian Poulter and Justin Rose held their nerve to see off Steve Stricker and a woefully out-of-sorts Tiger Woods.

It was Bradley and Mickelson who stole the show, however, as they produced some sparkling play in the alternate shot format to surprise their opponents, who were widely expected to secure a point for captain Olazabal.

While Mickelson had his moments - most notably a fine birdie putt at the long 13th - it was Bradley who caught the eye, the rookie showing an immediate passion for the competition with some inspired golf. Nowhere was that more obvious than at the 15th, where a long-range birdie putt poured into the cup to end the match - sparking a guttural roar from the 2011 US PGA champion.

"It was one of the most memorable days of my life so far," Bradley said afterwards. "I feel so comfortable out here with Phil - I know wherever I hit it, he's going to be able to get it up‑and‑down or close for me."

Mickelson, who is making a US record ninth appearance in the event this week, hailed his young playing partner.

"He played some of the best golf and to be his partner was an awesome experience," the left-hander said. "I love, love playing with this man. He's just so fun, loves the game and plays with such excitement and man, can he roll the rock."

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell won - in the end © Getty Images
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It was Westwood's inability to 'roll the rock' that played the biggest role in handing the United States their other point, however, as Dufner and Zach Johnson combined to great effect. Francesco Molinari fought valiantly to plug the leaks, but in the end the two Americans did not make any mistakes over the closing holes to secure the point.

The same could not be said of McIlroy and McDowell, who looked to be cruising to victory before a late stumble. A miraculous chip-in from McIlroy at the fifth lit the blue touch paper for the pair, as they reached three-up around the turn - at one point reeling off five birdies in a row.

But both seemed to fall apart at the same time, as Jim Furyk really discovered his touch - picking up hole after hole to even the contest with two to play.

The par-three 17th was then halved in nervy threes, setting up a final hole showdown. And it was Brandt Snedeker who cracked first, flailing a drive way off to the right that ultimately forced Furyk to chip out. When Furyk missed a mid-range par attempt that left the stage clear for McDowell to win the hole and the point - and the former US Open champion did so by nervelessly stroking a six-footer into the heart of the cup.

"That match to me just personifies The Ryder Cup," McDowell noted. "Myself and Rory played some great golf to go three‑up, and then you're playing against two very gutsy players who clawed their way back to all‑square coming down the last two holes.

"I'm not sure if you'll play two tougher holes, I mean, the finish to this golf course is very strong and we had stacked our team with this finish in mind. I wanted Rory hitting the tee shots on 16 and 18 and our strategy paid off."

McIlroy was more pragmatic, adding: "Fortunately for us, Brandt didn't hit the best tee shots on the last and we took advantage."

Davis Love III's strategy was clearly to have Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker anchoring his morning unit, but it was one that did not work quite as planned. The 14-time major champion struggled to find his rhythm all day, as time and again silly mistakes gifted holes to their English opponents.

Woods righted the ship towards the end of the contest, but by then it was very much an uphill battle - and a 10-footer at the 16th from a passionate Poulter ensured the two teams would head into the afternoon fourballs on an even footing.

The defeat did hand Woods one record, however - along with Raymond Floyd, he has now lost more foursomes matches than any other American in Ryder Cup history (eight).


Friday foursomes

Europe

United States

Graeme McDowell
Rory McIlroy
1-up
Jim Furyk
Brandt Snedeker
Luke Donald
Sergio Garcia
4&3
Keegan Bradley
Phil Mickelson
Lee Westwood
Francesco Molinari
3&2
Jason Dufner
Zach Johnson
Ian Poulter
Justin Rose
2&1
Tiger Woods
Steve Stricker


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