8:02 pm | September 29, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
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ESPN staff
PARIS — The U.S. has been here before. In 1999, at Brookline, the Americans entered the final day staring at the same 10-6 deficit they are staring at heading into Sunday’s singles at Le Golf National.
Back then, captain Ben Crenshaw left one thought hanging in the air Sunday night: “I have a good feeling about this.”
He was right, because the U.S. stormed back in the biggest comeback in Ryder Cup history.
In 2012, at Medinah, Europe equaled that comeback, wiping away a 10-6 lead for a dramatic win on the road.
So, yes, there’s a chance.
Here’s what the matches that will decide the Ryder Cup look like:
I hate to say this was over before it started Sunday BUT…
Rory McIlroy vs. Justin Thomas
What to expect: The most glamorous match of the day might be the first one out of the box. Thomas, a Ryder Cup rookie, has shown the most fire — and the most game to back it up — for the American side over the first two days. McIlroy hasn’t been shy to mix it up with the American fans here in France, most notably shouting down a few on the third hole Saturday afternoon. The two were in the same match then, when Thomas and Jordan Spieth got the best of McIlroy and Ian Poulter.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 1 – Justin Thomas vs. Rory McIlroy
Paul Casey vs. Brooks Koepka
What to expect: Casey has twice sat out; the European captain’s pick has been on point with his irons over a challenging Le Golf National. His precision will be a key for him. Koepka, meanwhile, has had moments when he has looked as if he has it all figured out, and he has had moments when the ball was flying in all directions. So, on Sunday, which will it be?
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 2 – Paul Casey vs. Brooks Koepka
Justin Rose vs. Webb Simpson
What to expect: Rose, the FedEx Cup champion, is 2-1 in his three matches. He has made some important putts to thwart any threats by the Americans in those two wins. Simpson, after sitting out Saturday morning, helped the U.S. to one of its few wins Saturday. The two will have similar approaches to Le Golf National on Sunday. It’s a matter of who makes the putts.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 3 – Justin Rose. vs. Webb Simpson
Jon Rahm vs. Tiger Woods
What to expect: A week after winning the Tour Championship, Woods has struggled throughout this Ryder Cup, posting an 0-3 record with partners Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau. He has not won a Ryder Cup match since 2010, going 0-6-1 over that span. Rahm, in his first Ryder Cup, is still searching for his first point — or half-point — this week.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 4 – Tiger Woods vs. Jon Rahm
Tommy Fleetwood vs. Tony Finau
What to expect: Fleetwood, with partner Francesco Molinari, has put on an unprecedented show. Together, they went 4-0, the first time a European tandem has done that. No European Ryder Cup rookie has ever earned more than four points. You want to bet against him?
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 5 – Tommy Fleetwood vs. Tony Finau
Ian Poulter vs. Dustin Johnson
What to expect: Is there any way to have to more opposite on-course personalities paired together? Poulter will thump his chest and try to get into a frenzy. Johnson will simply nod and go about his business. (Wait, Johnson did sneak in a slight fist pump this week, to the shock of nearly everyone). Poulter will be happy to be away from Spieth and Thomas. He was 0-2 in matches involving them, and 1-0 when not in the same group as the two young Americans. An important note: Johnson is 3-0 in Ryder Cup singles.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 6 – Dustin Johnson vs. Ian Poulter
Thorbjorn Olesen vs. Jordan Spieth
What to expect: Well, Olesen will be rested. He hasn’t played since Friday morning. He sat out Friday’s foursomes session. He was the only European to watch both sessions Saturday. On the other hand, Spieth will be playing for the fifth time this week. He also has a terrible history in singles. He is a combined 0-5 in Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup singles matches.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 7 – Jordan Spieth vs. Thorbjørn Olesen
Sergio Garcia vs. Rickie Fowler
What to expect: Garcia was a controversial choice as a captain’s pick by Thomas Bjorn. It has worked out this week. Garcia, who has not played well all season, enters this one 2-1 for the week and showing signs of his Ryder Cup magic from years past. Fowler has been erratic. After opening with a win Friday morning, alongside Dustin Johnson, he has dropped two in a row.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 8 – Rickie Fowler vs. Sergio Garcia
Francesco Molinari vs. Phil Mickelson
What to expect: Phil Mickelson played so poorly in his one match Friday afternoon that U.S. captain Jim Furyk did not send him out at all Saturday. Molinari, meanwhile, has been unstoppable from tee to green. Looking for the most lopsided match on the board? This is it.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 9 – Francesco Molinari vs. Phil Mickelson
Tyrrell Hatton vs. Patrick Reed
What to expect: Will Captain America make an appearance? He is in the conversation, with Mickelson and Woods, for the worst week among the Americans. Granted, his two losses both came with Woods at his side. Hatton admitted he is surprised that he is handling the pressure of the Ryder Cup. Let’s see how it goes for one more day.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 10 – Tyrrell Hatton vs. Patrick Reed
Henrik Stenson vs. Bubba Watson
What to expect: The big question is — will this one even matter? With the U.S. down four points heading into Sunday’s singles, this is one of those matches that could become irrelevant. If it does matter, Watson, like Spieth, doesn’t have a good history in singles. He is 0-3 in Ryder Cup singles.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 11 – Bubba Watson vs. Henrik Stenson
Alexander Noren vs. Bryson DeChambeau
What to expect: See the question above. Will this one even matter? If it does, remember that Noren knows his way around Le Golf National. He won the French Open here earlier this year. DeChambeau is still looking for his first Ryder Cup points.
Sunday Singles Prediction Match 12 – Bryson DeChambeau vs. Alex Noren
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