The USA will take a three-point lead to the final day of the Ryder Cup, but as every American fan is well aware, that's not exactly a safe margin. It's a big lead for these matches, but the margin was four the last time this thing was on American soil, and we all know how that Medinah meltdown turned out in Chicago. Sunday is a monumental day, with 12 of the 28 available points coming in the singles session as each side goes one-on-one for the first time in the week. The two-man games are over and the USA needs five of the 12 points to take the cup from Europe.
Leading off the day's session will be one of the epic matchups in Sunday singles history. There is no doubt who the emotional leader has been for each team. Patrick Reed has delivered over and over for the U.S. side, culminating with his dominant Saturday night fourball carrying of Jordan Spieth to that duo's second win this week. On the other side will be Rory McIlroy, the alpha of this entire competition, who has been goading the crowd, embracing the heckles, and screaming at every grandstand he can as he pours in another putt and crushes American hopes and dreams.
It's not just that Reed and Rory have been so good at the actual golf shots, but also how they're doing it -- stirring up shit and firing up the crowd in one direction or another on every hole. Now they go head-to-head in the leadoff match and it is a dream come true for the crowds, TV, the competition, and everyone in golf.
Nothing should matter after that first titanic clash, but there are still points needed and a few tasty matchups came out of what is a blind draw. We'll get Phil Mickelson vs. Sergio Garcia in the fourth match of the session. Jordan Spieth will get Henrik Stenson in the second match, a contrast in styles but two incredible talents and major champions. And Rickie Fowler draws Justin Rose in the three-spot. Here' the full Sunday lineup at Hazeltine:
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