The Ryder Cup 2014 leaderboard from Scotland has the US leading after the first set of four ball matches, with the United States up over the Europeans by the score of 2½-1½ to start things at Gleneagles and Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson had the late match and that tipped things more as Lefty and Keegan Bradley took that as Team USA tries to get off to a good start following their collapse in 2012.
McIlroy comes in playing very well and he has had an exceptional year and now he is hoping to add a Ryder Cup championship to that as well. McIlroy won two majors this year and now in his first go this year at the Ryder Cup, McIlroy and Sergio Garcia lost to Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the final four ball matchup, with Mick and Bradley winning the final hole to beat the Euro duo 1-up and that gave the United States the lead for the first time on the day.
Mickelson and Bradley were up earlier at 2 after the 10th hole, but the wind was whipping and that allowed the Euros to catch up and that led to the final hole win for the US. Bradley hit a clutch putt late on the 16th and that was big and now the Europeans have lost the opening session for the fourth straight time, but there is no panic on that team. Last time around the US totally collapsed and while they have a lead now, the European side has a chance to come back now.
Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson defeated Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 5 and 4 to get the first point for the Europeans, but the US was able to come back. Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed are the young guns and they made an impact, wining over Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5 and 4 to get that. The move by Tom Watson to play the pair was looked at as a possible mistake, but clearly he had a feeling about the two young stars.
Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler were able to halve the match with Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer and that was big after the Americans were trailing in that matchup. The US was able to get things going in the Friday four ball and the Friday afternoon foursomes continue things and that has Jim Furyk and Matt Kuchar opening against Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood. Rickie Fowler is looking to make a big impact here and he has been playing well all season and this could be his chance to shine.
The Ryder Cup continues through the weekend with coverage on the Golf Channel and on NBC. The Americans are looking to get back some respect after what happened last time at Medinah and that will be tough, as they try and win on European soil.
Check here for the scores and live coverage from the Ryder Cup.
