26 September 2021: Four sessions down and a massive six point advantage. The tide has turned, and if the whopping at Wisconsin is an indicator, it could signal the beginning of a new era in the Ryder Cup, after two decades of European heroics. At the end of Saturday, the continental team was bleeding profusely and respite could only come from a thorough thrashing on Sunday. It appears now that the only way out for Padraig Harrington’s men could be the relief at the end of Sunday when they can pack up and go home, leaving the golden chalice in the hands of the Americans.
The day ended with a deflating putt from rookie Scottie Scheffler, whose clutch effort helped flip a potential point for Europe. Incredibly, no team enjoyed a six point advantage at any time since 1979, but no team has ever overturned anything more than four point deficit in Ryder Cup history, going into the singles on Sunday.
“No one is taking tomorrow for granted at all,” U.S. captain Steve Stricker said. “We are totally focused on what we need to do to get the job done.”
The Europeans continued to sound stoic, at least off the field.
“We are not going to give up,” Sergio Garcia said. “I will give my all to them, and I know they will do the same thing for me. We are going to try out hardest. We know it’s going to be difficult. But we’re going to do our best.”
Dustin Johnson is the senior member of the American team and his leadership this week has been a stellar input in American domination. He has collected all four points and perhaps many memories too. But it is not only the senior man doing the job for the hosts. Their rookies have contributed ten points, conceding just one. That is a harbinger of new era of domination for the Americans, a team consisting of eight of the world’s top ten golfers.
American exuberance found its best expression, late Saturday afternoon. Scheffler, one of the rookies on the team, made a thrilling fifteen footer to nail a hole against the seasoned Lee Westwood and a shaky Matt Fitzpatrick in one of the big moments on Saturday.
“We didn’t want them to be able to win a session,” Scheffler said. “So for us to get a full point here was huge, and the last match out on Saturday is always a big match, so for us to keep the momentum on our side was definitely big for the team.”
Jon Rahm continued to remain the only flickering lamp on the European end.
“We’re not in a good position and it’s going to take a beyond monumental effort,” said Ian Poulter, who has failed to deliver a point in two matches. “So we need a couple of miracles.”
But even with the miracle that was on the mind of Ian Poulter, it was 6-10, not 5-11. But the American would have none of that.
“I’m not going to bring up Medinah,” Stricker said. His message to them was, “Don’t be content with where we’re at. We want to win the session again tomorrow.”
The six point lead will keep the Americans firmly on the pedal. In 2004, the Europeans were ahead by six at Oakland Hills, winning by nine. The advantage is biggest since Team USA went ahead by nine in 1975.
But on Saturday, the USA could have gone ahead by more than a few points, perhaps wresting the Ryder Cup narrative for the immediate future.
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