Ryder Cup Day 3

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3
September 24-26
Whistling Straits, Sheboygan, WI
Day 1, Day 2

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Daniel Berger won the final hole of his match against Matt Fitzpatrick for a final score of 19-9, half a point more than the previous record margin for a win since the continent of Europe joined the Ryder Cup in 1979.

“This is a new era,” said U.S. captain Steve Stricker. “These guys are young. They want it. They’re motivated. They came here determined to win. I could see it in their eyes.”

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

Stricker fielded the youngest U.S. team in history and his six rookies scored more points that the whole European team, finishing with a 14-4-3 record. For the first time in 44 years the USA didn’t lose a session. Dustin Johnson became the fourth American in history to win all his matches and the first since 1979.

“It’s not just the strongest U.S. team I’ve seen, but they all played well this week,” said Lee Westwood. “Everybody performed and turned up this week. Looks like they are a team.”

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

The USA started the final day with a six point lead, knowing that no team had ever come back from more than a four points difference.

Rookie Scottie Scheffler, undefeated this week, beat World number 1 Jon Rahm 4&3.

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

Bryson DeChambeau hit the ground running with a 373-yard opening tee shot then holed a 40-foot eagle putt. He won his match against Sergio Garcia 3&2.

Collin Morikawa tied in his match against Viktor Hovland to win the half-point needed for victory.

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

Rory McIlroy won his match against Xander Schauffele 3&2, winning his first point this week, and was emotional in his post-match interview.

“I’ve never really cried or got emotional over what I’ve done as an individual. I couldn’t give a (expletive),” he said. “But this team… to see Sergio break records, to see Jon Rahm come into his own this week, to see one of my best friends, Shane Lowry, make his Ryder Cup debut, all that. It’s phenomenal.

“I’m disappointed that I didn’t contribute more this week. But in two years’ time, we’ll go again and give it another go.”

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

Ian Poulter, similarly pointless until the singles, defeated Tony Finau 3&2, remaining unbeaten in Ryder Cup Singles. Lee Westwood won the final match for Europe finishing 1-up against Harris English.

“The U.S. were very strong,” said European captain Padraig Harrington. “Whatever their plan was, they got it right this week. A strong team, played well. Kept the momentum. And they would have been tough to beat at the best of times, let alone when they are at top form. It’s a great win for them.”

Ryder Cup 2021 Day 3

USA 19		Vs.		Europe 9
Sunday Singles
Xandert Schauffele		3&2	>	Rory McIlroy
Patrick Cantlay	<	4&2		Shane Lowry
Scottie Scheffler	<	4&3		Jon Rahm
Bryson DeChambeau	<	3&2		Sergio Garcia
Collin Morikawa		Tied		Viktor Hovland
Dustin Johnson	<	1 Up		Paul Casey
Brooks Koepka	<	2&1		Bernd Wiesberger
Tony Finau		3&2	>	Ian Poulter
Justin Thomas	<	4&3		Tyrrell Hatton
Harris English		1 Up	>	Lee Westwood
Jordan Spieth		Tied		Tommy Fleetwood
Daniel Berger	<	1 Up		Matt Fitzpatrick