{"id":1247371,"date":"2023-09-30T06:39:48","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T06:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1247371"},"modified":"2023-09-30T06:49:44","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T06:49:44","slug":"euro-euphoria-and-usas-fizzling-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/euro-euphoria-and-usas-fizzling-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Euro euphoria and USA’s fizzling finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy<\/em> — Lead NBC-Sports golf analyst Paul Azinger made it a point numerous times in citing the wherewithal of key players on the USA squad in having the requisite skills in knowing how to close out matches for wins.<\/p>\n

After getting totally annihilated in the morning foursome play and picking up zero points, the necessity of the USA team to resurrect itself in the afternoon four-ball session was essential.<\/p>\n

For a good bit of the afternoon the USA pushed back and the possibility existed that at the end of the first day the overall score would be 5-3 in favor of Europe. Such an achievement would have been uplifting given the dreadful start.<\/p>\n

Just when hopes may have been raised — the bottom fell out.<\/p>\n

Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, who were benched in the foursomes session, were able to secure a two-up lead on Viktor Hovland and Tryell Hatton after 13 holes. At this point, Spieth did a disappearing act and Thomas carried on solo in battling against the two Euro players. Thomas missed key putts at the 16th and 17th holes which would have likely sealed the match.<\/p>\n

Going to the final hole one-up, the USA duo appeared in good shape when Thomas wedged to several feet for a final birdie. Before Justin could putt — Hovland dropped a 26-foot birdie putt and now instead of a full point for the Americans it was Thomas needing to make his putt to secure a tie which he did. Nonetheless, a full point was doable but not secured.<\/p>\n