The Europeans advanced to a decisive 10-6 lead over the Americans ended into the singles match play segment of the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Resort in Scotland. While Europe needs just four points to win and the Americans need 8.5 points. The Europeans came back down 10-6 at Medinah in 2012, will the Americans be able to do the same? Only three Americans, Mickelson, Furyk and Johnson have won singles matches in the Ryder Cup.
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Here are the Sunday pairings and predictions (all times Eastern):
Match 1 (6:35 AM): Jordan Spieth (USA) vs. Graeme McDowell (Europe) 1 up
Spieth has been unstoppable for the Americans and he’s going to show why he deserves to be sent out first for the Americans. He’s played well, and while Graeme McDowell went 2-0 in foursome play, he won’t be able to match Spieth and his drive to carry the U.S.
Match 2 (6:48 AM): Patrick Reed (USA) vs. Henrik Stenson (Europe) 2 and 1
Patrick Reed is a similar story to Spieth as he was his playing partner, leading the Americans. Reed will exert passion, and make some great putts like he did on Friday to take down Stenson, who didn’t play Saturday afternoon due to back soreness. That could also be a factor. Reed wins in a close one.
Match 3 (7:00 AM): Rickie Fowler (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy (Europe) 1 up
This is the featured match of the Ryder Cup singles. Rickie Fowler has been chomping at the bit the entire PGA Tour season, finishing top-5 in all four majors including the two that Rory won. Fowler will finally get his revenge over Rory on Sunday and win in a very close match. The only time Fowler has won a PGA Tour event, McIlroy placed second. He’ll overtake Rory again Sunday, and win the third of three matches of the day for the Americans, beginning to humble Team Europe.
Match 4 (7:12 AM): Hunter Mahan (USA) vs. Justin Rose (Europe) 4 and 3
Justin Rose wins this match easily. He’s performed outstanding, he won his first three group matches with Henrik Stenson and then had to adapt to a new partner in Martin Kaymer in Saturday’s afternoon session and halved with the American power duo of Speith and Reed who had done nothing but lose up to that point. Mahan has struggled to a 1-2 record in the paired matches and will struggle again tomorrow.
Match 5 (7:24 AM): Phil Mickelson (USA) vs. Stephen Gallacher (Europe) 3 and 2
Mickelson has had ample rest and will prove why he is the veteran great for the Americans. He’ll defeat Ryder Cup rookie Stephen Gallacher who struggled in Friday morning’s session and hasn’t played since. Mickelson wins 3 and 2, sinking some key putts late to take the win for the U.S.
Match 6 (7:36 AM): Bubba Watson (USA) vs. Martin Kaymer (Europe) 4 and 3
These two players have a little history after the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits when Kaymer defeated Watson in a playoff. Kaymer has played decent and has the potential, but Bubba Watson, who is supposed to be America’s top player, is hopeless. He’s played awful so far in the Ryder Cup and won’t do any better by himself. Kaymer wins decisively.
Match 7 (7:48 AM): Matt Kuchar (USA) vs. Thomas Bjorn (Europe) Halve
This will be a great back and forth match. Bjorn has played well with great short game but has still gone 0-1-1. Kuchar hasn’t been on a winning pair for the U.S. yet going 0-3 with Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson and Jim Furyk, but he’ll play well on his own to halve a quality match with Bjorn.
Match 8 (8:00 AM): Jim Furyk (USA) vs. Sergio Garcia (Europe) 2 and 1
Furyk is waring down and is Ryder Cup record gives him no quality precedence as he’s now 10-19-4, holding the U.S. record for most Ryder Cup losses. Sergio Garcia is No. 3 in the world and Furyk is No. 4, but Garcia will take over this match on the back nine, getting an important win for Europe.
Match 9 (8:12 AM): Webb Simpson (USA) vs. Ian Poulter (Europe) 3 and 2
Ian Poulter is the Keegan Bradey of the Europeans and I hoped for a Poutler-Bradey showdown. Poulter’s fire lights the crowd up and he’ll carry momentum into this match and win decisively over Webb Simpson, who hasn’t played since his terrible 5 and 4 loss Friday morning with Bubba Watson.
Match 10 (8:24 AM): Keegan Bradley (USA) vs. Jaimie Donaldson (Europe) 2 and 1
Keegan Bradley has a fire and passion like no one else on the American side and that will help him win over Ryder Cup rookie Jaimie Donaldson who will struggle. Bradley will have high energy the whole match and win 2 and 1.
Match 11 (8:36 AM): Jimmy Walker (USA) vs. Lee Westwood (Europe) Halve
Jimmy Walker and Lee Westwood have both been impressive. Walker played poorly in Saturday afternoon’s match as he recorded his first loss with partner Rickie Fowler after halving the previously three. He’ll need to get some rest tonight if he wants to compete with Lee Westwood who has gone 2-1 in the Ryder Cup so far. They’ll halve in a back and forth match.
Match 12 (8:48 AM): Zach Johnson (USA) vs. Victor Dubuisson (Europe) 1 up
Victor Dubuisson was absolutely the most impressive European on Saurday. He consistently hit close shots that gave him and playing partner Graeme McDowell birdies chances the whole day. But, the pressure of being the final grouping for the 24-year-old Ryder Cup rookie will get to him, especially late and veteran Zach Johnson will take a 1 up win.
Final total: Europe wins 15-13
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