Lightly regarded pair start European rallying cry
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- How does that old saying go?
Out like a lamb, in like a lion?
When the European side sent four teams into the morning session of the Ryder Cup on Saturday, it wasn't hard to spot the alleged weak link in the group.
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| Rookie Oliver Wilson sparks the Europeans. (AP) |
Wilson was the lone guy among the 24 players who didn't play in Friday's opening sessions. Stenson dropped his only match, while the American pair hadn't lost in their two sessions. BBC Radio said it was akin to leading "lambs to the slaughter."
Look who roared back to life.
Seemingly at a huge disadvantage with Garcia and Westwood riding the bench, the Europeans nonetheless stormed back to within striking range at 7-5 with a memorable morning rally at Valhalla Golf Club.
Nobody knows how the afternoon best-ball session on Saturday and Sunday's singles matches will play out, but the 2 and 1 victory by Stenson and the unheralded Wilson could loom large. Europe, despite a firepower disadvantage, won Saturday's alternate-shot session 2½-1½.
Stenson, sent back out for an afternoon rematch with Mickelson, who this time was paired with Hunter Mahan, was informed that he and Wilson had been painted as pushovers.
"Well, Phil is the No. 2 player in the world," said the Swede, who teamed with countryman Robert Karlsson in the afternoon. "Now I have to go play him again. I'm sure he'll want to see a different result.
"That's got to sting a little bit."
Yeah, like a whistling slap to the face. Mickelson and Kim were sailing along with a 4-up lead after six holes, but imploded so completely thereafter, the match never reached the 18th hole. Wilson, the lone player in the event who has never won a professional event, made the clincher when he rolled in a 30-footer for birdie at the 17th hole.
Somehow, without the two star players and despite the mounting criticism of Faldo, the Europeans gained ground in the morning.
