US team at risk of losing Ryder Cup

Italy The United States are unlikely to defend the Ryder Cup, trailing 5.5-10.5 on Marco Simone Stadium and Europe are just four points away from winning.

Tonight, October 1, Hanoi time, the 44th hole match between the two strongest golfing nations in the world will end after 12 duels. With a score of 28, the winning mark for the host Europe is 14.5, while the US, the defending champion, will retain the Cup if it reaches 14.

But to bring the Cup back, the away team, with 5.5 points currently, must excel on the final day, in the mission of gaining 8.5 more points. Each win is worth one point, a draw 0.5.

Cantlay after chipping onto the green on the 16th hole of a foursomes match at Marco Simone Golf Course in Rome on September 30. Photo: AP

Last time, the US played host to Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and crushed the Europeans 19-9. This time, it was the other way around, they were outplayed on both days of the doubles, a total of 16 matches in a foursomes-fourballs-morning-afternoon schedule. The US lost all four of their opening matches. The PGA Tour all-stars were able to win three of their next four matches but ended up sharing the spoils with their opponents.

Yesterday, the visitors lost three matches in the morning, the biggest result being 9&7 when world number one Scottie Scheffler – Brooks Koepka met European pair Viktor Hovland – Ludvig Aberg. It was the most lopsided match in Ryder Cup history, since 1927.

In a standard match, the result is determined by the number of holes won (up, ahead) being greater than the number of holes remaining. For example, 9&7 above, means Hovland - Aberg won 9 holes, while the number of holes remaining is 7.

After that defeat, the US team went up 2.5 points thanks to Max Homa – Brian Harman, while Europe went up 9.5. Four games later, the US turned the tables, taking three more points and only giving up one point to their opponents. In that series, Patrick Cantlay helped the home team reach 5.5 with a birdie from a 13-meter putt.

Cantlay birdie from 13 yards from hole — Cantlay birdied from a putt more than 13 meters from the hole.

Cantlay's strike prevented Europe from going over 10.5. Despite being 8.5 points away from retaining the Cup, US captain Zach Johnson remains optimistic. "We have 12 players and 12 points left. I believe every member of the team can get a point," Johnson said ahead of the 12-match series.

The Americans had reason to be hopeful, too. In 1999, they successfully turned a 6-10 deficit into a 14.5-13.5 victory. But that year, the Americans had a technical advantage—the right to set up the home court and crowd—when the 1999 Ryder Cup was played at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

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