2008 Ryder Cup: U.S. Retains Lead

THE EUROPEAN RYDER CUP TEAM, playing without Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood, made up a point on the United States in Saturday’s morning foursomes matches. The score after the third session was United States 7, Europe 5. It takes 14 1/2 points to win the Ryder Cup.

After being four up, the U.S. team of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim imploded, losing to Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson. Americans Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell also lost a point to Europe’s Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.

The U.S. duo of Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry knocked off Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson. And in the morning’s best match, Europe’s Graeme McDowell and Miguel Angel Jimenez scratched out a halve against Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan.

Despite making about every putt he has looked at, Leonard will sit out the afternoon four-ball matches. Mickelson will play with Hunter Mahan while Kim sits, a good call on Captain Paul Azinger’s part after Phil and A.K. lost their fire. Garcia and Westwood are back on the course for afternoon four-balls.

−The Armchair Golfer

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