'Ryder Cup: Patrick Cantlay's final flourish gives Team USA a lifeline after afternoon fightback - CNN'

Team USA's Patrick Cantlay delivers a strong performance at the Ryder Cup, boosting hope for a victory on Sunday.

The Ryder Cup continues to be an exhilarating battle between Team USA and Europe at the Marco Simone Golf Club in Rome. After a disappointing morning of foursomes, American captain Zach Johnson witnessed a remarkable turnaround in the afternoon. Patrick Cantlay's impressive performance, including two closing birdies, secured a 3-1 victory for the US in the fourballs, narrowing the overall deficit to 10.5 - 5.5. This win provided a glimmer of hope for the Americans as they head into the crucial Sunday singles session.

For Team USA to retain the trophy they won in dominant fashion two years ago, they must accumulate 8.5 points out of a possible 12. On the other hand, European captain Luke Donald's team only needs four more points to secure victory. Cantlay expressed optimism after the successful session, stating, "Hopefully we have a ray of light, can build on this session and try and pull off a big victory tomorrow."

In the first afternoon match, Sam Burns and Collin Morikawa avenged Scottie Scheffler's earlier defeat by defeating Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg with a score of 4&3. Burns and Morikawa, who had both experienced losses with different partners on Friday, joined forces and showcased their resilience. Despite a slight stumble towards the end, they secured a satisfying victory over the home favorites.

Max Homa continued to impress as Team USA's standout player, teaming up with Open champion Brian Harman to defeat Tommy Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard 2&1. Homa and Harman's partnership proved to be a winning formula, as they secured their second victory of the week. Homa expressed his admiration for Harman, stating, "We basically have zero things in common about where we're from, but we are the exact same person on the inside." Their strong bond and shared understanding contributed to their success on the course.

Justin Rose delivered another memorable performance, securing Europe's only point of the session alongside Robert MacIntyre. They defeated Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth with a score of 3&2. Rose, who had already made a significant impact on Friday, continued to shine, winning four holes compared to his partner's one.

The stage is set for the decisive Sunday singles session, which promises to be a thrilling showdown. The matches will begin at 5:35 a.m. ET (10:35 a.m. BST), with Scottie Scheffler facing Jon Rahm in the opening match. Subsequent matches will tee off at 12-minute intervals, adding to the anticipation and excitement surrounding the event. Both teams will undoubtedly give their all as they strive for victory in this fiercely contested Ryder Cup.

Share With Others