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Stricker and Cink set the tone for US
Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink led the way as the United States opened up a 6-4 advantage over Europe after the second session of the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.
Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink led the way as the United States opened up a 6-4 advantage over Europe after the second session of the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor on Saturday.
After winning the rain-delayed opening fourballs 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 in the morning, the holders took the afternoon foursomes 3 1/2 - 2 1/2 on a typical day of fluctuating fortunes in the biennial team event.
Strongman Stricker played the anchor role in his partnership with Tiger Woods, holing a series of long-range putts in their 4 and 3 win over Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and Swede Peter Hanson.
World number one Woods was not quite at his best and left his bunker shot in the sand when he tried to escape from a greenside trap at the 10th.
The victory by Stricker and Woods, who were unbeaten together in four encounters at last year’s Presidents Cup, maintained their 100 percent record in this week’s match.
Cink, who produced the day’s best golf on Friday, turned his foursomes match around in stunning fashion when he rammed in a 30-foot putt at the 17th.
He and Matt Kuchar seemed to be up against it in their contest with Northern Irishmen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell when U.S. Open champion McDowell arrowed a majestic tee shot to within six feet of the pin at the penultimate hole.
However, Cink’s long birdie effort put the pressure back on McIlroy who then pulled his putt left of the hole.
