This looked a United States team in utter disarray until the final seconds under a setting sun. How else to describe a record 9&7 trouncing for the world No 1 and reigning US PGA champion? How else to describe Zach Johnson advising Jordan Spieth on the 16th tee, moments before the Texan cracked his tee shot into a pond? Spieth and Justin Thomas were soon shaking hands having succumbed to defeat against Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre.
At that point, Europe’s advantage was 10½ to 4½. “Can we play you every week?” chanted European fans. Johnson, the US captain, looked dazed and confused. This would look even better for Luke Donald and his European team if Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick could press home their lead over Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark.
