Rory McIlroy went 1-1 on Friday at Hazeltine National Golf Club, playing in both sessions of the 2016 Ryder Cup and finding much more success in the afternoon.
After losing to a late charge from Rickie Fowler and Phil Mickelson in the morning foursomes competition alongside Andy Sullivan, McIlroy rebounded in the four-ball competition with Thomas Pieters. The two took down the American team of Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar -- who won their foursomes match 5&4 -- with a 3&2 win to bring Europe to within two points of the Americans going to Saturday.
McIlroy capped off that match with an eagle on the par-5 16th hole thanks to three perfect shots. He piped a driver down the center and then stuck a 225-yard iron shot to hole high in the center of the green, the latter shot eliciting a tremendous club twirl reaction.
Best club twirl ever? @McIlroyRorypic.twitter.com/bjyTafDEEn
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 30, 2016
After a two-putt birdie from Kuchar, McIlroy needed to hole his eagle putt to end the match and put a point on the board for Europe. He poured it in the center of the cup and then turned and bowed to the hostile Hazeltine crowd for good measure.
What an epic putt by Rory McIlroy: https://t.co/pAf8qqDgbU
— GOLF.com (@golf_com) September 30, 2016
"Even before I hit that putt, I wanted to put an exclamation point on that session for us," said McIlroy after his round. "Honestly, I actually thought about that celebration before I hit the putt...Look it's a hostile environment out there and I just want everyone to know how much this means us, how much it means to me personally and us as a team and we're not going down without a fight...I bowed to them and said 'You're welcome for the show.'"
It was a great, fitting ending to a wild day at Hazeltine. After the Americans ran out to a 4-0 lead in foursomes, the Europeans fought back with three wins in the afternoon.
McIlroy's reaction on the 16th green made sure to let the United States and its fans know that this will be an emotional dogfight all weekend in Minnesota.