Planet Golf — 02 October 2016 by GW staff and news services
Final day Ryder Cup singles matchups

Rory McIlroy, Europe (2-0-1) vs. Patrick Reed, USA (1-0-0) … The logical lead-off match. The most demonstrative and fiery players on either side this week (and the hottest – remember, they won three of the four FedExCup events). Reed doesn’t have the career resume that McIlroy has, but a win Sunday might taste as sweet as a major.

Henrik Stenson, Europe (1-2-0) vs. Jordan Spieth, USA (0-1-0) … The fourth time this week that Stenson and Spieth have faced each other. Stenson, playing his fifth match this week, doesn’t seem to be bothered by the knee problems that have plagued him lately. Both players lost in Singles two years ago at Gleneagles.

Thomas Pieters, Europe (0-0-0) vs. J.B. Holmes, USA (1-0-0) … Pieters teamed with McIlroy for three straight wins and is having his coming-out party this week. Holmes didn’t have a birdie in Four-balls on Friday but had seven of them Saturday to carry Ryan Moore to a win. In 2008, Holmes beat Soren Hansen in Singles.

Justin Rose, Europe (2-0-1) vs. Rickie Fowler, USA (0-1-1) … Rose is playing his fifth match, while Fowler is playing just his third. Fowler finally got his first Ryder Cup match win on Friday, but Rose seems to be in better form. Oh, and Rose likes playing in the fourth spot – it’s the same spot he’s played in his three previous Ryder Cups and he’s never lost.

Rafa Cabrera Bello, Europe (0-0-0) vs. Jimmy Walker, USA (1-0-0) … Cabrera Bello, one of the six European rookies, teamed with fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia to make a formidable duo that should pay dividends for a few more years for Europe. Both players should be rested, as neither one appeared in Saturday afternoon’s session.

Sergio Garcia, Europe (3-4-0) vs. Phil Mickelson, USA (5-5-0) … Outside of the Reed-McIlroy match, this should draw the most interest. Garcia, as usual, has raised his game in the Ryder Cup. Mickelson, meanwhile, is the Task Force Poster Boy. They last met in Singles in 2004, with Garcia beating Mickelson 3 and 2 at Oakland Hills.

Lee Westwood, Europe (3-6-0) vs. Ryan Moore, USA (0-0-0) … Neither the veteran Westwood and the rookie Moore have played particularly well this week (Westwood missed two short putts down the stretch that likely cost Europe a point). So consider this a chance at redemption.

Andy Sullivan, Europe (0-0-0) vs. Brandt Snedeker, USA (0-1-0) … Hey, remember Andy Sullivan? You might have seen him Friday morning – that’s the only time he’s been seen this week, having sat out the last three sessions. Snedeker has played twice, winning both his matches with Brooks Koepka.

Chris Wood, Europe (0-0-0) vs. Dustin Johnson, USA (2-0-0) … Seems like a mismatch, pitting the reigning U.S. Open champ against the Ryder Cup rookie who’s only appearance was a Saturday Foursome win with Justin Rose. Dustin has lost two of his three matches but “he made a pile of birdies today,” Love said. “Just his record might not look as good.”

Danny Willett, Europe (0-0-0) vs. Brooks Koepka, USA (0-0-0) … The only two Ryder Cup rookies who will square off on Sunday. Willett has shown occasional flashes but has mostly been a non-factor in a tough week (thanks, bro!). Koepka has played well, winning two of his three team matches.

Martin Kaymer, Europe (2-1-0) vs. Matt Kuchar, USA (1-2-0) … Kaymer has been a non-factor for the most part, but as he showed four years ago, he’s capable of producing the key stroke at any time. Kuchar is 1-5 in Singles in his Ryder/Presidents Cup career; his loan win came two years ago at Gleneagles against current European vice-captain Thomas Bjorn.

Matthew Fitzpatrick, Europe (0-0-0) vs. Zach Johnson, USA (2-1-1) … The U.S. couldn’t ask for a better anchor; the Europeans couldn’t ask for a more unknown quantity. But Clarke insists this is not a throwaway match for his 22-year-old. “Matt could be in a wonderful position tomorrow afternoon,” Clarke said. “I certainly hope he is.”

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