2021 Ryder Cup: Morikawa clinches dominant victory for U.S. over Europe originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
With the half point guaranteed, PGA champion Collin Morikawa clinched the 2021 Ryder Cup for the United States, defeating Viktor Hovland. The win gave the U.S. its second Ryder Cup in the past three tournaments and one of the most dominant victories in the event's history.
The U.S. had an 11-5 lead heading into Sunday, the largest lead entering the final session since 1973. The Americans won three of the first four singles points on the day.
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Rory Mcllroy defeated Xander Schauffele 3&2 for the first singles point of the day, but the U.S. quickly answered back as Patrick Cantlay beat Shane Lowry. The Americans were able to defeat Europe's top two golfers as Scottie Scheffler beat Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau outlasted Sergio Garcia.
After jumping out to a 6-2 Day 1 lead, Team United States increased its advantage to 11-5 over Team Europe on Day 2 of the 43rd Ryder Cup.
The U.S. went 3-1 in the Saturday morning fourball matches before splitting the afternoon foursomes 2-2 with the Europeans.
The tandem of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas was the early story of Saturday. After falling behind three strokes to Hovland and Bern Wiesberger through the first six holes, the American duo won three of their own and four of the final five to win 2 up.
In Saturdays afternoon foursomes, it was once again Hovland on the wrong end of a strong American finish. Down one through 12 holes, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau closed out the match, winning four consecutive holes to take the 3&1 victory over Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood.
The U.S. last won the Ryder Cup in 2016, hanging onto a 3.5 point lead on the final day to win seven singles matches. Davis Love III captained the team that won at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. The other U.S. win was in 2008, when Paul Azinger helped lead the Americans to victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.
