Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley
won their first match Friday in dominating fashion.
|
U.S. (Keegan Bradley & Phil Mickelson)
def.
Europe (Luke Donald & Sergio Garcia), 4
and 3
Click for more:
Hole by hole |
MORE MATCH RECAPS:
McIlroy-McDowell
def. Furyk-Snedeker, 1 up |
Mickelson-Bradley
def. Donald-Garcia, 4 and 3 |
Dufner-Johnson
def. Molinari-Westwood, 3 and 2 |
Poulter-Rose
def. Woods-Stricker, 2 and 1 |
Four-ball --
Watson-Simpson
def. Lawrie-Hanson, 5 and 4 |
Mickelson-Bradley
def. McIlroy-McDowell, 2 and 1 |
Johnson-Kuchar
def. Rose-Kaymer, 3 and 2 |
Westwood-Colsaerts
def. Woods-Stricker, 1 up
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM MEDINAH, Ill.
– The U.S. team of Phil Mickelson and Keegan
Bradley defeated Europe’s Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia 4 and
3 in Friday morning’s foursomes match in the Ryder Cup.
MATCH FLOW: Mickelson and Bradley held the
early advantage, winning the second hole with a birdie. Donald and
Garcia squared things at the par-5 fifth and held the lead for
three holes before the momentum turned in favor of the United
States team. Bradley makes an 8-footer for birdie at the ninth hole
to square the match, and it stays that way for two more holes
before the Americans begin to steamroll the Europeans --- winning
four straight holes.
BY THE NUMBERS: The U.S. team won six holes and
shot a combined 4 under par. The European team won two holes and
shot a combined even par.
TIPPING POINTS: Bradley's putt at the ninth hole.
He was clutch on the back nine, including the one he drained from
30 feet for the win at No. 15.
NOTES & QUOTES: This is the first time
Mickelson, who is playing in his ninth Ryder Cup, has won two
matches in the same day. "He played some of the best golf and to be
his partner was an awesome experience. 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." -- Phil Mickelson on
Keegan Bradley. … "I feel so comfortable out here with Phil
because I know wherever I hit it, he's going to be able to get it
up and down or close for me. It was one of the most memorable days
of my life so far." -- Keegan Bradley … “We played
solid. They just played a little better. Obviously only really gave
them one hole on 12, and otherwise they made some great birdies.
Making birdie, the 2 on 13; they played solidly and we just didn't
quite make enough putts.” – Luke Donald …
“It's quite simple. I think that obviously we didn't play as
good as we can, and Keegan and Phil ‑‑ more than
anything, Keegan played very nicely. He holed a lot of good
putts.” – Sergio Garcia “What I'm most
disappointed about is that I didn't get a point or at least half a
point for my team. I've told you over and over again, if you want
to talk about records, you probably need to ask the other team. The
only record we care about is the team record.” – Sergio
Garcia Both Donald and Garcia lost for the first time in Foursomes
competition in which they have been paired, and for the first time
overall in Foursomes. They are now 4-1-0 in Foursomes matches in
which they have played together, while Donald is now 6-1-0 in
Foursomes matches and Garcia is now 8-1-1 in Foursomes matches.
… Mickelson won for the first time in the first session of
matches since 2002, when he teamed with David Toms to beat Padraig
Harrington and Niclas Fasth, in Four-Balls.