Ryder Cup Schedule 2014: Tee Times, Pairings and Predictions for Day 3
The 2014 Ryder Cup has just 12 singles matches remaining before a victor is crowned once again. Day 3 of this patriotic event never fails to captivate audiences with breathtaking drama and awe-inspiring action.
Through two days in Scotland, the European team leads the United States by a score of 10-6. The Americans will surely have their work cut out for them on Sunday, as a total of 14 points is all that's needed for Europe to retain the prestigious trophy for two more years.
Take a look at the tournament's current leaderboard:
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Captains Paul McGinley and Tom Watson have revealed the order of their rosters for Day 3, and with that, the pairings and tee times have been announced. Can the United States get back in contention early and forge an unforgettable comeback, or will a strong European team prevail in the end?
Here's a look at the full pairings and tee times for Sunday, followed by the tournament's predicted outcome.
| Jordan Spieth | 6:36 a.m. | Graeme McDowell | Spieth |
| Patrick Reed | 6:48 a.m. | Henrik Stenson | Reed |
| Rickie Fowler | 7 a.m. | Rory McIlroy | McIlroy |
| Hunter Mahan | 7:12 a.m. | Justin Rose | Rose |
| Phil Mickelson | 7:24 a.m. | Stephen Gallacher | Mickelson |
| Bubba Watson | 7:36 a.m. | Martin Kaymer | Kaymer |
| Matt Kuchar | 7:48 a.m. | Thomas Bjorn | Kuchar |
| Jim Furyk | 8 a.m. | Sergio Garcia | Garcia |
| Webb Simpson | 8:12 a.m. | Ian Poulter | Poulter |
| Keegan Bradley | 8:24 a.m. | Jamie Donaldson | Bradley |
| Jimmy Walker | 8:36 a.m. | Lee Westwood | Westwood |
| Zach Johnson | 8:48 a.m. | Victor Dubuisson | Johnson |
Full Ryder Cup results can be viewed at RyderCup.com.
Analysis
We should expect the Americans to make things interesting early. Watson decided to kick Sunday off with his two star rookies, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. As a duo, they have been nearly unstoppable, and they have gained enough momentum and confidence to continue their fantastic showings in singles play.
As they pull the United States closer, we'll be reflecting on this statement from the captain, via Golf.com:
The third match of the day will be the marquee pairing for this year's Ryder Cup. We've seen Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler clash earlier this year—notably in the Open Championship—but not in match play. McIlroy has been playing slightly better than Fowler in the fourball format at Gleneagles, and it appears the world No. 1 will notch another win.
After McIlroy's victory, Europe will creep a bit closer to a tournament win, as a red-hot Justin Rose will earn a close point against Hunter Mahan. Rose has been magnificent through two days, winning 3.5 out of a possible four points for his team. He'll gain another on Sunday.
McIlroy knows the importance of maintaining focus on Sunday. He reflected on the Americans' dramatic comeback victory in 1999, via the Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard:
Expect the teams to trade points in the two ensuing matches, as an experienced Phil Mickelson will defeat rookie Stephen Gallacher—who won't have mentor Lee Westwood in his corner this time around—and a struggling Bubba Watson drops his match against Martin Kaymer.
The Americans will continue to keep it close, as Matt Kuchar has been playing well enough to edge out Thomas Bjorn, but with two favorable matches for the Europeans next on the slate, an improbable comeback by the United States will come to a halt.
Jim Furyk has the accuracy to compete at Gleneagles, but he hasn't put it all together through two days. Sergio Garcia shouldn't have much trouble earning a point here.
Webb Simpson didn't play well at all during his lone appearance in this year's tournament, and he faces the dang task of taking on the resurgent Ian Poulter. It only seems fitting that Poulter, Europe's emotional leader, notches the point that secures his team the victory.
Expect to see this reaction from Poulter once again on Day 3, via For The Win:
The United States will keep things respectable, earning two more victories over the final three matches, but it will simply be too little too late for Watson's team.
Final Prediction: Europe 16, United States 12
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