US in command with 10-6 lead at Ryder Cup going in to final day
By MIKE HUTTON mhutton@suntimes.com September 29, 2012 12:36PM
Former President George W. Bush and Michael Jordan watch as players tee off on the 13th hole during a four-ball match at the Ryder Cup PGA golf tournament Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
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Updated: September 29, 2012 7:37PM
It was another full out assault by the Americans in the second round of the Ryder Cup Saturday at Medinah.
The Americans catapulted out of the gate in the morning, getting another charge from the Phil Mickelson-Keegan Bradley pairing. They defeated Lee Westwood and Luke Donald 7 & 6. That helped them win three of the four points in the session for the second straight day. They took a 10-6 lead going into the final round. Only the American team from 1999 was able to overcome a four-point deficit in the history of the Ryder Cup.
Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, the only losers for the Americans in the morning session, redeemed themselves with a nine-birdie performance in the afternoon best ball matches. They defeated Justin Rose and Francesco Molanari 5-up and it set the stage for another solid performance for the Americans, who split the afternoon matches with the Europeans.
Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker almost made a miraculous comeback from four down, getting to within one after a birdie by Woods on No. 16 but they halved the last two holes. A birdie put by Stricker on No. 18 that would’ve given them a half-point lipped out.
The Europeans got a lift at the end from Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy, who held on for a 1-up victory. Poulter made five straight birdies to protect the lead.
