September 28 2012
6:21 PM
Match 4 recap: Europe wins 2 and 1
|
Europe (Ian Poulter & Justin Rose) def.
U.S. (Tiger Woods & Steve Stricker), 2
and 1
Click here for more: Hole by hole |
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
MEDINAH, Ill. – The European Team of Ian Poulter and Justin Rose defeated America’s Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker in Friday morning’s foursomes match in the Ryder Cup.
MATCH FLOW: This was a much closer match than might have been expected given the way the Americans had to scramble. Tiger Woods had a dismal day off the tee and even flubbed a chip shot. The Europeans, meanwhile, hung tough all day as Ian Poulter got his first win against the former world No. 1 in three attempts. Europe took control early with a win at the second hole after Steve Stricker found the water. The Americans squared the match with a par at the third but Justin Rose answered with a 40-footer for birdie at the next and Europe never trailed again. A U.S. bogey at No. 6 gave Europe a 2-up edge but Stricker made a 3-footer for birdie at the next and the match remained 1 up until No. 11 when Poulter holed a bunker shot for birdie. A par at No. 12 then put Europe 3 up. The Americans get one back at the 13th with a par but Poulter made birdie on No. 15 to return to 3 up. The Americans won the 15th with a birdie but halved the next two with pars. The morning session ended in a 2-2 tie for the first time since 1997.
BY THE NUMBERS: The Americans won four holes and shot 3 over as a team. The Europeans won six holes and shot 1 under.
TIPPING POINT: The bunker shot the emotional Poulter holes at the 11th hole fuels the fire for the Europeans.
NOTES & QUOTES: “This for me was a tough game; it was tough go for both of us. Tiger has had two of my three defeats and I never wanted to have another one. So it was going to be a tough day. But as Justin said, I've got his back and he's got mine. He asks me to hole a putt, I'm going to go and deliver.” -- Ian Poulter …
When paired together, Poulter and Rose are now 3-1-0 overall and 2-1-0 in Foursomes. Poulter is now 3-1-0 lifetime in Foursomes play. …
Stricker/Woods are now 1-2-0 in Foursomes.
