After a sketchy performance in the morning with Andy Sullivan, Rory McIlroy came storming back in partnership with another rookie, Thomas Pieters, to end Dustin Johnson’s run of four successive wins in Ryder Cup play.
Pieters had shown signs of being the kind of pick Darren Clarke had imagined when he preferred him to Luke Donald and Russell Knox in a losing cause in the foursomes, and he shared in seven birdies with McIroy as they raced out to a four-up lead.
The Belgian’s long putt for a birdie at the short 13th seemed to have killed the contest as it took the Europeans four up with five to play, but Kuchar’s birdie at the 14th – his first of the afternoon – hinted at a late comeback by the Americans.
When Johnson rolled in a short putt for a birdie three at the 15th it seemed as if Europe’s afternoon comeback might stall, but McIlroy was up in two in the centre of the green at the long 16th and rolled it in for an eagle to clinch the point 3 and 2.
The Northern Irishman celebrated with bows to the galleries before a more intense celebration with his partner as Europe pulled to within two points.
“We got up early and thought we had to keep pushing,” said Rory. “I had to lean on Thomas in the middle holes but redeemed myself in the end.
“The credit goes to Thomas in his first Ryder Cup because it’s pretty hostile out there. You don’t want to let that get to you but when you hole a putt you have to show them what it means to you.”
