Ryder Cup 2018: Fleetwood, Molinari continue to shine

When Phil Mickelson’s tee shot at the par-16th found a watery grave, the longest-serving Ryder Cup player on the usa team graciously pulled off his ballcap, conceded the deciding point in the matches and extended his hand to Europe’s star of the moment, Francesco Molinari.

It was Molinari, the first European to win five out of five matches at a Ryder Cup, who had the honour of clinching the winning point when his opponent, Phil Mickelson, found water at the 16th and conceded on the tee.

“I’m just so proud for everyone on the team”, Molinari said.

“It was unbelievable”, Molinari said.

They were 5 up at the turn over Woods and DeChambeau, and a brief rally only delayed the inevitable.

Take Justin Thomas (4-1) out of that top-5 mix on the US side and Johnson, Brooks Koepka (1-2-1), Bryson DeChambeau (0-3), Rickie Fowler (1-3) and Jordan Spieth (3-2) were a combined 6-14-1.

But he reckons landing the Ryder Cup tops the lot and he said: “This is bigger than winning a Major”.

Rahm, who led after all but one hole, pumped his fists and screamed with joy after his winning four-foot birdie putt, which came after a three-putt bogey at the par-3 16th, left Europe two wins from victory. “But I don’t think he’s going to let it spoil the year that he had”. The Americans haven’t won a Ryder Cup on foreign soil since 1993.

And then he teamed with Tommy Fleetwood (aka MoliWood) to go 4-0 in the team session, and became the first European in history to go 5-0 when he defeated Mickelson, 4&2. The duo, already nicknamed “Molliwood”, are the first European twosome to sweep all four pairs matches they played.

I thought this year would be different because they were surrounded by 10 of the best golfers alive, future hall of famers who will have plaques next to theirs in 10 or 20 years. He has had a mediocre year by his own high standards but, as has so often been the case, rose to the Ryder Cup occasion to more than justify captain Thomas Bjorn’s faith in him.

Furyk stood by the decision – criticised by ex-European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley – of his players to stay away despite their counterparts’ superior knowledge of Le Golf National making a significant difference. Finau gave Tommy Fleetwood a 6 and 4 thrashing in singles which was pretty incredible after the first two days of dominance for the Englishman. “It was fantastic, and I’m just really happy that they get to celebrate now”. They were supposed to end the 25-year wait to win in Europe.

“Yeah, I don’t usually cry, but I couldn’t help it”, he said. It is hard not too get emotional when you think of the vice-captians, the other players, the wives, it is unreal.

He was back for the singles – every play on both sides have to play – but the left-hander was three down through five.

Fresh off his big win on Friday, Garcia teamed with Rory McIlroy in the opening match of Saturday’s fourballs to beat Tony Finau and Brooks Koepka 2 and 1.

“The whole team has been part of this”.

While Rahm basked in the team victory, he’ll also leave Le Golf National with a treasured memory after taking on one of the greatest players ever and coming out on top.

“You have to tip your cap, they outplayed us”, said Furyk, who has cut a sporting and dignified figure through what turned out to be a tough week. “And now that it has happened, I’m just so happy”.

“We came over here and played our practice rounds and prepped for this golf course”, said Furyk.