2014 Ryder Cup Results: Latest Scores and Analysis from Gleneagles
Heading into the final day of the 2014 Ryder Cup, Team USA has a difficult task in front of it. Trailing 10-6 to a talented and clearly motivated European squad, it will be tough to make up the deficit.
That said, the difference between the two is the exact same as it was in 2012, but then the Americans had the edge. Europe came storming back in the singles matchups to capture the win.
Can Team USA pull off the same comeback? It's almost impossible to predict. Here's a look at the latest scores from Saturday's action:
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| Morning Fourball | Team USA | Team Europe | Result |
| 1 | Bubba Watson & Matt Kuchar | Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson | Europe wins 3 & 2 |
| 2 | Jim Furyk & Hunter Mahan | Jamie Donaldson & Lee Westwood | USA wins 4 & 3 |
| 3 | Jordan Spieth & Patrick Reed | Thomas Bjorn & Martin Kaymer | USA wins 5 & 3 |
| 4 | Jimmy Walker & Rickie Fowler | Rory McIlroy & Ian Poulter | Halved |
| Afternoon Foursome | Team USA | Team Europe | Result |
| 1 | Zach Johnson & Matt Kuchar | Jamie Donaldson & Lee Westwood | Europe wins 2 & 1 |
| 2 | Jim Furyk & Hunter Mahan | Sergio Garcia & Rory McIlroy | Europe wins 3 & 2 |
| 3 | Jordan Spieth & Patrick Reed | Martin Kaymer & Justin Rose | Halved |
| 4 | Jimmy Walker & Rickie Fowler | Victor Dubuisson & Graeme McDowell | Europe wins 5 & 4 |
Here's a look at Sunday's schedule:
Key Matchups in the Singles Round
Graeme McDowell vs. Jordan Spieth
This matchup isn't just big because both McDowell and Spieth have been arguably their sides' best performers at the Ryder Cup. It's also huge because it's the first matchup of the day.
Already trailing by four points, the Americans can't afford to fall further off the pace. Getting off to a fast start is going to be very important. There's a lot of pressure on Spieth to not just halve the round, but to win it.
McDowell has captured both of his possible points, and Spieth has made good on 2.5 of his three possibles. The winner of this one could set the tone for the remainder of the day.
Rory McIlroy vs. Rickie Fowler
Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman expects exciting play between McIlroy and Fowler on Sunday:
"Sunday Singles featuring McIlroy vs Fowler. Giddyup. RT @GolfCentral pic.twitter.com/emc8VD65Jf
— Kelly Tilghman (@KellyTilghmanGC) September 27, 2014"
As star power goes, it would be hard to find a more intriguing matchup than this one. The world No. 1 McIlroy streaked to a place atop the sport with a blistering final two months.
He takes on his friend—and almost as hot—Fowler after the American was perhaps the most consistent golfer over the last six months of the season.
Both have looked human thus far in Gleneagles. McIlroy has split his opportunity to get four points for his team. Fowler has only managed to garner 1.5 of a possible four for the Americans.
This match could be a preview of a long and exciting rivalry.
Stephen Gallacher vs. Phil Mickelson
On Saturday, Mickelson sat the entire day as captain Tom Watson decided to give Lefty a rest. It didn't help to improve the Americans' performance, but there's obviously no guarantee that if Mickelson had played, things would've been any different.
Mickelson wants a U.S. victory, per Golf Channel's Twitter account:
With all that said, it would be one heck of a story if Mickelson's matchup with Gallacher turned out to be pivotal on Sunday.
Mickelson won one of the two points he had a chance to gain, and Gallacher failed in his only opportunity to drive the Europeans' score up.
By the time the two men tee off, we should have a really good handle on the United States' chances to come back. Because he was benched on Saturday, it will be interesting to see how Mickelson responds.
Stats per RyderCup.com.
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