Pointless Woods wants the Cup

Zero points from three matches, Woods is the USA anchor today

The Americans lead Europe 10-6 and need just 4½ points Sunday in singles to regain the cup – all this without picking up a single point from their highest ranked player, Tiger Woods. 

The world No.2 was dropped by Davis Love III for Saturday’s morning foursomes session – a move that was widely predicted following his erratic play with partner Steve Stricker during the foursomes on Friday morning. Woods said he took the news well, and was happy to get some rest.

“It was nice to be fresh, no doubt,” said Woods, who remains pointless at Medinah following three matches. “This is a long grind to go all five. I’ve done it before and it’s hard. Five matches in three days is a lot, and hey, I’m not young anymore. I’m one of the older guys. It’s nice to get a little bit of rest. I felt great this morning, and it was nice to kind of sleep in and get a little bit of rest. Watched the guys on TV and tried to get out here and watch them a little bit. Captain said, ‘Hey, it’s good cold out here, stay inside, stay warm and be ready for your match’.

Again playing alongside Stricker, Woods played some superb golf in the fourballs against Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia, the partnership being six-under on the back nine – but it wasn’t enough to stop the Europeans, who won on the 18^th green.

“We fought hard,” said Woods. “Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough. Strick’s made a huge birdie at 12. We gave ourselves two good looks on 18 and didn’t get it done.”

Speaking about today’s singles matches, where Woods is out in the last match against Francesco Molinari, the world No.2 said the USA want to get points on the board as quickly as possible.

“Being up four is nice. So we are really looking forward to going out there and, hopefully, we are in a great spot right now to win the Cup. We want to get off to a quick start and get as many points as you can out of the get‑go.

SINGLES PAIRINGS

Match 1 Bubba Watson v Luke Donald

Match 2 Webb Simpson v Ian Poulter

Match 3 Keegan Bradley v Rory McIlroy

Match 4 Phil Mickelson v Justin Rose

Match 5 Brandt Snedeker v Paul Lawrie

Match 6 Dustin Johnson v Nicolas Colsaerts

Match 7 Zach Johnson v Graeme McDowell

Match 8 Jim Furyk v Sergio Garcia

Match 9 Jason Dufner v Peter Hanson

Match 10 Matt Kuchar v Lee Westwood

Match 11 Steve Stricker v Martin Kaymer

Match 12 Tiger Woods v Francesco Molinari

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered