Why beating Phil Mickelson meant so much to Rory McIlroy

The golfers on both sides have brought their A games to the final day of the Ryder Cup.

But as Reed, the American, and McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, attacked the pins at Hazeltine National Golf Club, they have been doing so apart from each other. The Americans need at least five points to take the trophy from Team Europe.

But that dream became a nightmare as Reed fired five birdies and an eagle to lift a lethargic Spieth to victory, before Westwood and Willett’s terrible finish left the holders with a mountain to climb.

“It’s a tough environment but we expect that”.

“It’s just part of the whole Ryder Cup thing”. They led 10-6 four years ago at Medinah when Europe put together a staggering display of putting and produced the largest comeback by a visiting team in Ryder Cup history.

Europe never really had a chance.

With a gentle breeze playing on a warm day, birdies were flying all over the massive layout, but none in more spectacular fashion than in the McIlroy-Reed clash.

This wasn’t about being maybe the best team ever assembled.

American captain Davis Love III says he and his vice captains will be vigilant in identifying unruly fans in the galleries at the Ryder Cup.

Ultimately, this wasn’t about measuring against the past as much as it was building to the future.

He’s a future captain for sure, but he cautioned that unless the changes made in the last two years are permanent than this win won’t mean almost as much.

Mickelson and Sergio Garcia combined for 19 birdies, eight of them over the last five holes. A great accomplishment for Phil, to be sure – except his teams have gone 2-8. There was some great golf, but Pieters – who won an NCAA title at the University of IL in 2012 – offered support in the end.

Leading off the singles will be Reed against Europe superstar Rory McIlroy.

Of course, after the ball rolled in for eagle, Reed celebrated emphatically. Ryan Moore delivered the final point in this American masterpiece Sunday at the Ryder Cup. Reed followed with a 35-foot birdie putt, wagging his finger at McIlroy.

McIlroy obviously became quite agitated by whatever was said and was seen confronting the man before quickly calling security over to have him removed.

Mickelson made 10 birdies, and Garcia made nine birdies against no bogeys in their match.

Henrik Stenson and Matt Fitzpatrick of Europe react on the first tee during morning foursome matches. By then, it was ominous. That was the centerpiece of a four-hole stretch that carried he and Jordan Spieth to a 2-and-1 victory in the final match of another raucous and at times rude afternoon at Hazeltine. “It’s same for the USA guys when they come to play in Europe”.

Mickelson, who jarred a six-footer for birdie on 17 to close out his eighth four-ball victory – most all-time for the USA – has seen 11 of these things up close and understands how the day’s dynamics were so telling.

The Ryder Cup Task Force was dismantled after Love was named captain for the second time, though Mickelson and Tiger Woods remain on a committee for the next Ryder Cup in 2018 in France.

Westwood is chasing Nick Faldo’s record of 25 points in a Ryder Cup this week.

J.B. Holmes vs Thomas Pieters-Belgian Thomas Pieters hasn’t waffled during this Ryder Cup going 3-1 as a rookie.

“The specialty of it is to find a guy like Brooks Koepka who is immune to all of this stuff”, Couples said. The United States may be equally divided, but it doesn’t feel so self-conscious.

England’s Rose will join countryman Chris Wood against PGA Championship victor Jimmy Walker and two-time major champion Zach Johnson, who won in foursomes Friday. Reed has easily outplayed his only partner, Jordan Spieth, while absolutely revelling in the emotion of the occasion.

At the 16th hole, one spectator shouted “no pressure” as Lee Westwood prepared to play a clutch putt. Palmer and Dickinson were a flawless 5-0-0 together, while Reed and Spieth are 4-1-2.

United States 7½, Europe 4½.

Repeated yells from Reed and McIlroy reverberated often on Saturday.

Stenson’s 3 and 2 win puts a bow on a great year for the Swede.

From there, the USA looks less formidable – J.B. Holmes, Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker are Nos.

Jimmy Walker vs. Rafa Cabrera Bello-Two guys playing some good golf. Since 2002, Europe is 6-1; it rode a three-Cup winning streak into this week.

Brandt Snedeker vs. Andy Sullivan-Snedeker has putted very well and Sullivan will be lacking some confidence after being sat down all day Saturday.