2016 Ryder Cup: Saturday Birdies & Bogeys

Birdie: Ryder Cup Sunday

Lest you forget why we expend so much energy speculating on everything from captains' picks to pairings to task forces, this is why. There is nothing like a Ryder Cup when the two sides are so close and every shot seems monumental in importance. The three-point spread between the two sides is the smallest since the Europeans led by three heading into the final day at Celtic Manor in 2010, which means we can likely look forward to a riveting final day. If there's a downside... -- Sam Weinman

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Bogey: Knucklehead fans

Like we said, every shot feels important in this thing, but there's still no excuse for certain fans disrespecting European players to the extent that they have this week. When you're yelling for putts to stay out of the hole, or worse, shouting obscenities at players as they're standing over the ball, you're not only making American crowds in general look bad, you're proving you have no clue what this event is all about. -- SW

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Birdie: Rory McIlroy

Remember when McIlroy called the Ryder Cup an exhibition? Safe to say he no longer harbors such notions. McIlroy channeled the American crowd's hostility -- and in many cases, vulgarity -- into a lights-out performance. The Northern Irishman won three consecutive matches with Thomas Pieters, dispatching Dustin Johnson twice in the process. Moreover, the normally-reserved McIlroy unleashed emotional outburst after emotional outburst, celebrating with Pieters and barking back at the antagonistic gallery. Making his fourth team appearance, the 27-year-old McIlroy has unquestionably proved he's the new heart and soul of Europe. A Sunday win would wrap up one of the most spellbinding displays in Ryder Cup history. -- Joel Beall

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Bogey: Darren Clarke

It wasn't Clarke missing those short putts on Saturday afternoon, but the poor showing of two of his captain's picks Martin Kaymer (0-3) and Lee Westwood (0-2) is in part on the European captain. Not only were the two veterans tabbed over more promising options like Russell Knox and Luke Donald, but their appearance in the Saturday four-balls proved particularly costly, and leaves Clarke subject to criticism that he chose loyalty over performance. -- S.W.

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Birdie: Patrick Reed

Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed took a pummeling at the hands of Stenson-Rose on Friday, and following their collapse to Garcia-Cabrera Bello Saturday morning, it was fair to wonder about the mental state of America's 1-2 punch heading into the afternoon. Reed alleviated any worries of fatigue with a front nine for the books. Spurred by a hole-out from the sixth fairway, the 26-year-old was five under in a four-hole run and never looked back. Reed's play rendered Spieth a spectator, and the pair's resounding win gave the U.S. much-need momentum heading into Sunday. -- JB

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Birdie: Thomas Pieters

A 24-year-old Ryder Cup rookie -- a captain's pick, no less -- has no business appearing as unflappable as Pieters has this week. Following up a win Friday afternoon alongside Rory McIlroy, Pieters joined the four-time major champion for two more sessions on Saturday and appeared remarkably at ease, even inciting the crowd with his own Patrick Reed-style shush after a pivotal birdie in the morning. With huge drives, a hot putter and two convincing wins, Pieters will be the first European rookie to play all five matches in the competition in 17 years. -- SW

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Bogey: Dustin Johnson

It has been a breakout season for the likely PGA Tour Player of the Year, but the past seven days have left something to be desired. After watching the FedEx Cup title slip away last Sunday at East Lake, D.J. has just one Ryder Cup win in three matches at Hazeltine. Sitting out Saturday morning’s foursomes couldn’t turn things around for the U.S. Open champ, who had a 4-3 record in his previous Ryder Cups. Johnson and Brooks Koepka failed to stop the European juggernaut of Rory McIlroy and Thomas Pieters in their four-ball match, losing 3 and 1. It’s safe to say that captain Davis Love III was hoping for more from the World No. 2, who will lean on a 2-0 singles mark in hopes of turning things around on Sunday. -- Ryan Herrington

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Bogey: Henrik Stenson

This deserves a caveat, as Stenson is playing through a knee injury. On the other hand, the Open winner did tell Darren Clarke he could go all five matches, and through four battles, he's been on the business end of three. Stenson's precise shot-making seemingly makes him a nightmare in singles format, but a 1-2 all-time record is reflective of his so-so short game. For the Europeans to retain the cup on Sunday, they need Stenson to return to form, and fast. -- JB

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Birdie: Brandt Snedeker

More impressive than winning two points in two matches is how Snedeker reacted to the questionable decision by U.S. captain Davis Love III to sit him in the afternoon: he, alongside Zach Johnson, grabbed a spot in the bleachers, donned a viking hat, and joined the raucous first-tee gallery. A small gesture, but an important one in recognizing that even for PGA Tour players, the Ryder Cup is bigger than personal pride. -- SW

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Birdie: Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello

History will record their match against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed as a tie but, to those watching Saturday morning, it sure felt like a European win. Down four after 12 holes, Garcia and Cabrera Bello scraped together four victories in the next five holes thanks to gutsy shots, clutch putts and mistakes from the American superteam. “It felt like we stole half a point from them,” Cabrera Bello remarked after the match. Combined with their 3-and-2 disposal of J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore on Friday, the Spanish duo have done their country proud. -- JB

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Bogey: Martin Kaymer

Though he hasn't won since the 2014 U.S. Open at Pinehurst, Kaymer blazed into Hazeltine with five top-10 finishes in his last 10 events. Not that you would know by his play in Chaska. Kaymer was run out of the park in his two Friday matches, and Saturday's affair didn't go much better, losing to the struggling couple of Phil Mickelson and Matt Kuchar. He does have two wins in three previous Ryder Cup singles engagements, but whatever American gets Kaymer on Sunday will be licking his lips. -- JB

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The American Express

2016 Ryder Cup: Saturday Birdies & Bogeys

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Birdie: Ryder Cup Sunday

Bogey: Knucklehead fans

Birdie: Rory McIlroy

Bogey: Darren Clarke

Birdie: Patrick Reed

Birdie: Thomas Pieters

Bogey: Dustin Johnson

Bogey: Henrik Stenson

Birdie: Brandt Snedeker

Birdie: Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello

Bogey: Martin Kaymer

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