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2016 Ryder Cup, Day 2 recap: Patrick Reed leads U.S. team to three-point lead

By Brian Hall, The Sports Xchange
USA team member Jordan Spieth (R) shakes hands with teammate Patrick Reed after the two tied their match against the Europeans on the 18th green on day 2 of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota on October 1, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 7 | USA team member Jordan Spieth (R) shakes hands with teammate Patrick Reed after the two tied their match against the Europeans on the 18th green on day 2 of the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota on October 1, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

CHASKA, Minn. -- The United States regained the momentum and stretched its lead to 9 1/2 to 6 1/2 over Europe heading into Sunday's 12 singles matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

The Americans, spurred by Patrick Reed's fiery play and emotion, posted a 3-1 record in Saturday's afternoon four-ball matches as they try to regain the Cup after losing to the Euros the last three times and eight of the last 10.

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Reed and Jordan Spieth, sparked by Reed's hole-out eagle from the fairway on the sixth hole came back from an early deficit to win four straight holes on the front nine and two more late to defeat Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson of Sweden, 2 and 1.

J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore won 1 up when Lee Westwood of England, teamed with Masters champion Danny Willett, also of England, missed a short par put on the 18th hole.

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Westwood, a pick of captain Darren Clarke had sat out Friday afternoon and Saturday morning after telling Captain Darren Clarke he needed to work on his game. Westwood had three birdies in five holes in the middle of the round but struggled at the end.

European team member Lee Westwood hits from a bunker on the 16th hole during day 2 of the 2016 Ryder Cup on October 1, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
The other U.S. victory in the afternoon came when Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar led from the third hole on to beat Martin Kaymer of Germany and Sergio Garcia of Spain, 2 and 1.

Europe's only point in four-ball came when Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Thomas Pieters of Belgium, claimed their third straight point with a 3-and-1 victory over Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson ion a battle of long hitters.

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The Americans, who built on a 4-0 lead in the first session on Friday but finished the day with only a 5-3 lead, that that shrink to 6 1/2 to 5 1/2 when Europe won two matches and halved another in Saturday morning foursomes.

Garcia and fellow Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello came back from a 4-down deficit with six to play to earn a half point against Reed and Spieth.

McIlroy and Pieters gained a 3-up advantage through five holes and cruised to a 4-and-2 victory over Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.

Another group that finished Friday strong, Koepka and Brandt Snedeker, pulled away late after leading early against Stenson and Matthew Fitzpatrick of England to claim a 3-and-2 victory.

Fitzpatrick, a Ryder Cup rookie, was playing in his first match. Chris Wood of England played in his first match and helped Rose down Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker, 1 up.

NOTES:

American captain Davis Love III kept his process of cycling through his 12 golfers, although Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth will play all five sessions.

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European captain Darren Clarke skipped Andy Sullivan of England in both sessions on Saturday.

Rory McIlroy, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Thomas Pieters have played each of the four sessions for Europe.

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