Finally, a pulse. After a woeful opening day where the US endured a record-equalling five-point deficit spilled into a brutal morning with another three foursome defeats, on Saturday afternoon they showed some life to bring the scoreboard back to 10.5-5.5.
It finished with the sun setting behind the 18th and Patrick Cantlay sinking his third clutch putt in a row. Cantlay and Wyndham Clark‘s success over Matthew Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy was their third point from the fourballs.
In the near darkness, Cantlay stood inevitably over a birdie putt and nailed the line. Earlier in the day it had been reported there was a split in the American camp with Cantlay at the heart of it. Sky Sports said he was refusing to wear a cap in protest at players not being paid.
“The hat doesn't fit. It didn't fit at Whistling Straits and didn't fit this week. Everyone knows that,” said Cantlay when asked about it.
After he nailed his final shot, his team-mates rose to their feet and twirled their hats in celebration. Cantlay doffed an imagery one in response, while his caddy Joe LaCava continued to party vehemently in McIlroy’s line of vision until Shane Lowry power-walked across the green and confronted him. Eventually, everyone calmed down and both Europeans tried to match the putt. Neither dropped and suddenly, Sunday took on a new complexion. America have momentum. Europe have unexpected motivation.
“I was there on 18. I saw it unfold,” said Europe captain Luke Donald. “When Patrick made that putt Joe was waving his hat. There was some hat waving going on throughout the day from the crowd, not our players. I talked to Rory. He politely asked Joe to move aside, he was in his line of vision. He stood there and didn’t move for a while and continued to wave the hat. I think Rory was upset about that.”
The confrontation continued into the carpark, with McIlroy restrained by Shane Lowry.
“Rory is a passionate player. We all are in this event, but I will speak to him later about it,” said Donald.
Before that Max Homa and Brian Harman beat Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard 2&1 in a dingdong battle. Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa overcame Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg 4&3. Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were unable to keep the revival going as they fell to a 3&2 loss against Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre.
That match summarised the day. Wonderful. Weird.
Marco Simone was baking as soon as the sun rose. That had an impact. Homa paused a tee-shot during his match against Sepp Straka and Shane Lowry because patrons shifting led to shadow inference. An Italian policeman at the bottom of the stand spun around, crossed his arms and stared menacingly into the crowd, daring someone to move again.
Later Spieth sliced his tee shot out of bounds on the 14th and pointed to the ground maniacally. “Did you see that thing,” he complained. Thomas somehow left a ten-footer short on the same hole. True absurdity came on the short par-4 16th. The flagstick was placed at the top of the green and captain Zach Johnson intervened as Speith stood on the tee, seemingly encouraging him to change his driver for a 3-wood.
At the time, the crowd were entertaining themselves chanting by ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ and ‘can we play you every week’. Spieth, a three-time Major winner, took the advice on board and watched miserably as his ball bounced off the rough and into the drink.
This course is perfectly designed for match play given its risk-reward nature. Occasionally it is downright quirky. Matthew Fitzpatrick appeared to be set for a sweet bounce back onto the green only to strike a sprinkler head. Burns birdied the sixth and turned to confront the home support: ‘I can’t f*cking hear you.’ If only Spieth suffered from the same affliction with his captain. That match ended with a Burns and Collin Morikawa 4&3 triumph over Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg.
There was spectacular play throughout the day too. Max Homa, Tommy Fleetwood, McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay all had their moments. Five points with 12 matches left.
“They grabbed some momentum at the end,” said Donald. “I'm not going to say they didn't. Certainly what Patrick did, holing those putts was impressive, 16, 17, and then a long one pretty much in the dark to win that match. That will give their team some hope, I suppose.
“But again, we are five points up. We are in a great position. I've watched these guys over the last couple of days compete with heart, with unity. They are all playing pretty good golf, to be honest. I really like our chances.”
