Sunday, bloody Sunday.
Team USA is going to need one in its favor.
After suffering a record-setting beatdown in the first two days of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, the Americans are up against the largest Sunday deficit in the history of the event in its current format.
The Europeans lead 11.5-4.5 and are a mere 2.5 points away from securing the Cup. Still, it’s not over until it’s over. Every Sunday singles match matters, and there are 12 of them. Here’s a ranking of those matchups, listed in reverse order of interest.
12: Ben Griffin vs. Rasmus Hojgaard
If you’d forgotten that these two were at Bethpage this week, you’re forgiven. Each man has appeared in just one match and neither has won a point. If the Ryder Cup were a prize fight, this one would be at the bottom of the undercard.
11: Harris English vs. Viktor Hovland
Hovland had to pull out of his scheduled Saturday afternoon four-ball due to neck pain. English appears healthy. But after playing in just two matches and losing both, his feelings might be hurt. The team’s respective captains put these two out last for a reason: Hovland, presumably, because he’s injured; English, presumably, because … we’ll let you draw your own conclusions about the U.S. braintrust’s faith in him.
10: J.J. Spaun vs. Sepp Straka
No disrespect intended, as both players are coming off stellar seasons and each has performed solidly this week. But neither man is a particularly fiery personality and — let’s face it — “Spaun v. Straka” is not exactly synonymous with “blood feud.” Plus, with six other matches going out before them, the Ryder Cup might be settled before this one gets to the turn.
9. Sam Burns vs. Robert MacIntyre
These two have been used sparingly, appearing in just two matches each. But both have come up big in pressure-cooker moments. Intensity will not be lacking here.
8. Russell Henley vs. Shane Lowry
It’s been a rough week for Henley, who lost both his matches while paired with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. And it hasn’t been an easy one for Lowry, either, given the abuse he’s taken from the grandstands. After Saturday’s four-ball matches, Lowry said that competitions of this kind are “why I get up in the morning.” In hostile surroundings, he’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder. His opponent will have something even bigger to prove.
7. Collin Morikawa vs. Tyrrell Hatton
Morikawa is winless this week. Hatton is undefeated. That’s a pretty fair reflection of each man’s recent form. But this still stands to be a feisty contest between two of the finest iron players in the game.
6. Patrick Cantlay vs. Ludvig Aberg
A young star with the game’s fastest pre-shot routine against a steely veteran who could pass as a lawn statue over the ball. This isn’t just a battle of impressive talents. It’s an intriguing clash of styles.
5. Justin Thomas vs. Tommy Fleetwood
Entering the week, Scottie Scheffler was Team USA’s best player, but Justin Thomas was as close as there was to its heart and soul, a demonstrative competitor and seasoned Ryder Cupper with a knack for rousing the home crowd. American captain Keegan Bradley is sending him out early in the hope, no doubt, that Thomas can light a fire in the galleries. There’s just one catch: He’s up against a guy who’s been as good as any at smothering the opposition’s spark.
4. Xander Schauffele vs. Jon Rahm
Granted, Schauffele’s game has not been at its sharpest. But he remains an A-lister on Team USA, a two-time major winner rightly recognized for his mental toughness. Rahm, meanwhile, is the latest in a long line of Spanish Ryder Cup stalwarts, who happens to play with the flash of Seve, the touch of the Ollie and power of Sergio, all wrapped in one.
3. Bryson DeChambeau vs. Matt Fitzpatrick
It’s tempting to call this David v. Goliath, but that would apply only to their physical stature. His 2-1-0 record this week fails to capture how huge Fitzpatrick has been this week. As for DeChambeau, anytime he’s in the spotlight, it’s a big event.
2. Cameron Young vs. Justin Rose
Some people thought that Young, a native New Yorker, should hit first for his team on Thursday morning to get the home crowd going. The captain’s pick will now play in Sunday’s lead match for another reason: He’s been the best American performer. Not that any of that is apt to rattle Rose, the most seasoned competitor on either team, who’s been playing like the Ryder Cup assassin that he is.
1. Scottie Scheffler vs. Rory McIlroy
This one could be told in numbers alone: It’s World No. 1 against World No. 2! But we might as well spill a few words on the matchup. On one side is the most dominant golfer since Tiger Woods — who is fast-developing a Woods-like reputation for underperforming in the Ryder Cup. He’s still looking for his first point this week. On the other is Europe’s team leader and lightning rod for spectator abuse, who’s looking to put a bow on a season in which he finally nabbed an elusive Masters to round out the career Grand Slam. If you can’t get into this one, we don’t know what to say.
