World number one Tiger Woods and partner Steve Stricker fired the defending champions into a 2 1/2 to 1 1/2 lead in the first session at Celtic Manor after wrapping up a two-up victory over English duo Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher. As play resumed all-square after 10 holes following Friday’s rain-interrupted session, the US duo took the lead due to a superb chip shot for birdie from Stricker on the 12th.
However, Europe put up a fierce challenge in the second session of six foursomes. Englishman Ross Fisher and Irish Ryder Cup teammate Padraig Harrington beat American duo Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson three and two in their foursomes match. Mickelson and Johnson had led after the first hole but once they went behind on the fourth they were never in the hunt.
In another match, Europe’s Luke Donald and Poulter won against Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson by two and one, staging a gutsy late fightback to score a vital win for Europe. Poulter and Donald had trailed the Americans by one hole with four holes left to play but won the next three holes.
Donald set up the victory with a magnificent tee shot on the par-three 17th, giving partner Poulter a four-foot putt which the Englishman duly rolled in.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2010.
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