The first day of the Ryder Cup for Team USA was nothing short of a disaster. After winning by a record margin at Whistling Straits two years ago, they failed to clinch a single match here at Marco Simone on Friday for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Europe swept the foursomes session 4-0 before Luke Donald’s afternoon line-up proved this team possesses no shortage of grit when their backs are against the wall.
From winning positions in the top three fourball matches coming into the closing holes, Europe turned the tables, conjuring up brilliance to surge 6.5-1.5 ahead.
The scoreline brings into focus decisions made by US captain Zach Johnson, who surprised many with his line-up for the foursomes. Here’s where, in hindsight, he went wrong…
Sitting Spieth and Thomas
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The form of Justin Thomas coming into the biennial contest was a hot topic but most still expected him to be picked to partner Jordan Spieth on Friday morning, especially given their record together.
It’s no secret that Spieth is far from his best just now, so it obviously seemed sensible to rest his star duo given the penalty for straying offline at this Italian brute of a layout. If he was given a doover, though, it’s hard to imagine he would make the same decision again.
They were given the nod to play in the afternoon and combined well. Thomas, in particular, proved his worth to this team, displaying all his leadership qualities to put the US within a whisker of clinching their first full point.
Only a 20-footer on the last by Viktor Hovland denied them in the end. Thomas was then seen deep in conversation with Johnson and Scottie Scheffler after his game had concluded, as the trio tried to make sense of what was unfolding and plot a route back into contention.
Even at this early stage, that feels like a longshot, but if the US are to have any hope, they’re going to need Thomas in every session.
Sam Burns
Sam Burns was another of Johnson’s captain’s picks and one that not everybody agreed with when it was announced. He is good friends with Scheffler, though, and his inclusion was touted by many as a way to unleash all of the World…
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