A dream start
U.S. Ryder Cup team out in front
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Perhaps the United States Ryder Cup team just needed to find a reason to believe.
Friday, it found several.
The Americans found Justin Leonard, who had never won a Ryder Cup point before, and Hunter Mahan, who infamously said earlier this year that he wanted no part of the matches.
They found Phil Mickelson a partner in 23-year-old Anthony Kim, who provided energy, emotion and enthusiasm.
They found a cheerleader in Boo Weekley, a last-minute bit of magic from Chad Campbell, and a way to negate Europe’s Sergio Garcia.
Ultimately, the Americans found themselves with a 51/2- 21/2 lead entering today’s second day of matches at Valhalla Golf Club. It was their first lead at the end of any day since Leonard holed his famous Cup-clinching putt nine years ago, the last time he played in the Ryder Cup.
“It’s a novelty, isn’t it?” said European Lee Westwood, who halved both of his matches.
It was a dream start for an American team accustomed to nightmares in this event.
“We know the Europeans are going to come out fighting, they always do,” Mickelson said.
The Americans won three of four available points in the morning’s alternate-shot format, and tacked on another 21/2 points in the afternoon.
“We’re in a happy spot,” U.S. captain Paul Azinger said. “But we know it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”