Oct 2, 2016: Davis Love III once told Ian Poulter that he was built for the Ryder Cup.
The year was 2012 and the bug-eyed Englishman had just gone unbeaten in four matches at Medinah as Europe came from behind in Singles to beat Love’s team.
Well, the two-time U.S. captain has found another who fits the mold. And luckily for Love, this time the player is a member of his team.
“I think Patrick Reed is built for The Ryder Cup, too,” Love said. “He’s got that attitude.”
Swagger and skill, too – not to mention enough moxie to tell assistant captain Tiger Woods at the start of the week he was playing five matches, no matter what.
That talent was on full display Saturday at Hazeltine National as Reed and former world No. 1 Jordan Spieth ran their record as Ryder Cup partners to 4-1-2 with a win over Olympians Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson and a halve with Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello.
That’s pretty much the heart and soul of the European team right there, and the Americans led 28 of the 35 holes played on Saturday. Rose and Stenson had never lost as partners until this week when Reed and Spieth held a 2-1 edge.
No surprise, then, that Love opted to put Reed out first in Sunday’s Singles to set the tone. And as luck would have it because this is a blind draw, the fans got the match they wanted when Darren Clarke, did the same with his top player, Rory McIlroy.
“It’s a mouth-watering prospect for the first match off,” Clarke said in understatement.
Reed single handedly broke open the tight match with Rose and Stenson with a stunning four-hole stretch that he played in 5 under. With the surge that began on the fifth hole, the Americans went from 1 down to 3 up.
The U.S. never trailed again. When Stenson and Rose made back-to-back birdies on the back nine to get to 1 down, Reed was there again – answering with two of his own to regain the cushion.
Both Stenson, who extended the match with a chip-in eagle at the 16th, and Rose later described Reed’s performance as “inspired.” Rose said he “punished us” whenever he had a wedge in his hand.
“He was unbelievable,” the Brit said. “We didn’t quite have it. I didn’t have it this afternoon. It’s tough playing four in a row, as they did as well. For Patrick to find that energy this afternoon is incredible.”
Stenson went with similar superlatives.
“I think he beat us single-handed today,” he said. “It was pretty amazing.”
Spieth said he and Reed were particularly pleased with the win over the gold and silver medalists in Rio after allowing the Spaniards to come from 4 down at the 12th hole and square the morning Foursomes match.
“It was really, really fun to be a part of,” Spieth said. “I know he has that in him. We’ve all seen it before. He’s Captain America for us.”
PGA Tour Release
