Ryder Cup Day Two

After Europe's historic comeback on Friday afternoon, the USA looks to bite back on day two

Ruaidhrí Croke (now), Johnny Watterson (earlier) Sat, Sep 29

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06:36

Hello, hello and welcome to another bright and early morning on the second day of the 2018 Ryder Cup. And how nicely the day sets up after Europe’s historic foursomes whitewash yesterday afternoon edged them ahead on the scoreboard and left the USA needing to find some of their fourball magic this morning.

They need to do and they also need to find a way to play foursomes because another clean sweep for Europe – no matter what happens in this morning fourball session – will seriously hamper US chances going into day two.

It’s another chilly morning in Paris with the sun just beginning to come up ahead of the opening tee shot at 7.10am (Irish time) and already the huge grandstand around the first is filling up and the over-enthusiastic DJ is pumping the music out at a ridiculously early hour. For more on that you can read Malachy Clerkin’s dispatch from the first tee yesterday morning – Storied tension of Ryder Cup first tee noticeably absent.

Moving on to today then and Thomas Bjorn has opted for a few small changes from yesterday’s morning’s lineup after a few of the combinations didn’t quite gel with Ian Poulter – who seemed to light the flame for Rory McIlroy yesterday afternoon – brought in to partner Jon Rahm in a pairing that could actually combust at some stage given the character of the two men involved. McIlroy himself will join Sergio Garcia who hit back at any doubters yesterday as he and Alex Noren completely dismantled the US pair of Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau. Not changing – and you suspect it might not change for years to come – is the new dream team of Tommy Fleetwod and Francesco Molinari who were nothing short of magnificent yesterday in taking down Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed in the morning before seeing off Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the afternoon.

For Jim Furyk a good fourball session yesterday morning has led him to go with the same partnerships albeit in a slightly different order.

So, it’s nearly time to go. I’m Ruaidhrí Croke and I’ll be with you for the morning and afternoon with Johnny Watterson coming in for the middle period. You can get involved by using the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the blog or you can get me on Twitter @Ruaidhri_Croke.

Pairings and tee times below!

7.10am: Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka

7.25am: Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler

7.40am: Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed

7.55am: Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
06:47

It's a very chilly morning at Le Golf National where the players are on the range trying to get warmed up.

Interestingly, the US players were once again security screened going into the locker room this morning while Europe weren't.

You've never seen a man give less attention to another man than Tiger Woods when he's been security checked at 6am with his morning coffee in hand.

Less than half an hour now until Ryder Cup titans Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia take to the first tee looking to lead Europe out.

McIlroy struggled hugely in the morning yesterday alongside Thorbjorn Olesen but he rallied in the afternoon with Poulter by his side and Garcia can be the same influence today.

However, they're going to have their work cut out against the current US Open and US PGA champion Brooks Koepka and rookie Tony Finau. That pair trailed for the majority of the opening match against Justin Rose and Jon Rahm yesterday but they didn't let it affect them by staying cool and eventually taking the point on the final hole.

For a full recap of yesterday's action you can catch up on Philip Reid and Malachy Clerkin's observations from Paris.

Allez les bleus after Europe complete stunning comeback

Europe ride blue wave to take momentum into second day
07:05

This is your five minute warning!

McIlroy and Garcia are making their way to the first tee. The wind is up and it is a cold Paris morning. You wouldn't want to catch an iron thin off this first tee, even the thoughts of it are making me shiver.

But then, Garcia probably hasn't hit a thin iron shot since some time around 1994 while McIlroy feels completely at home in the environment of the big cauldron that is the first tee.

Add to that Koepka who said yesterday that he has never felt intimidated on a golf course because "I'm here to play golf, it's not like someone is going to punch my face in, why would I be intimidated?"

It's probably the most interesting thing Koepka has ever said and it just adds to the suspicion that he is, actually, a robot under all of those gigantic muscles.

As for Finau, it was an impressive debut yesterday morning after a slightly shaky start with the first tee shot of the week but he kept plugging away, took a huge stroke of luck on the 16th when his ball bounced off the railway sleepers at the water and went on to make it one point from one game in his Ryder Cup career.

Strap yourselves in, it's nearly time.
07:14

It's Finau up first for the US and he cracks an down the right hand side of the first fairway.

Koepka follows suits as calmly as if this was his Saturday morning singles stableford at the local golf club with a few mates.

Garcia goes for the three-wood and stripes it down the middle while McIlroy follows suit with an iron, although he is only a few rolls from the water.

All four on the short stuff, what's this whole first tee shot business about anyway?

We're underway on the second day of the 2018 Ryder Cup!
07:23

All four find the green with Garcia the closest of them all, somehow managing to find the thin sliver of green between the water and the first tee which leaves him 20 feet for birdie.

Koepka and Finau face similar putts down the green from 30 feet behind the pin while McIlroy pushed his effort slightly, leaving about 50 feet across the green.

Back on the tee Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton have arrived for their clash with Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

Hatton and Casey were beaten by Spieth and Thomas yesterday but they gave it some go after being three down at one stage before getting it back to all square and eventually losing on the last.

Fowler and Johnson were exemplary in the morning in disposing of McIlroy and Olesen but were terrible in the foursomes as they lost to Stenson and Rose. They're coming out with a point to prove.
07:31

No birdies for the opening group at the first after McIlroy gave his effort a good run while Garcia's stopped right in the jaws. It's pars all round and a half for the top match.

Back on the tee Fowler plays first and hooks it dead left into the water.

That puts the pressure on Johnson and he also nearly finds the drink! His ball has stopped just short but he'll have little or no stance along those railway sleepers.

Advantage Europe already in that one as Casey finds the fairway to leave nothing more than a flick of a wedge.

However, Hatton powers his through the fairway and into the water as well.

So we've got one each in the water, Johnson with no stance and Casey in position A. An interesting start!

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (All square through 1)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler

7.40am: Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed

7.55am: Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
07:37

The Par 3 second is playing a full 62 yards shorter today with the pin right at the front tucked just over the water.

Koepka and Finau both find the green safely with Koepka facing about 25 feet and Finau about 50.

Garcia's effort is right down the pin but it's short and finds the water.

That puts the pressure on McIlroy and he responds perfectly by finding the heart of the green.

Back to the first we go where the drama is unfolding. After taking a drop Fowler has followed his hook off the tee with another to the green where it buries in the deep grass along the hazard. That's hole over for the American and it's advantage Europe as Johnson can only pitch up the fairway from the edge of the water.

Hatton also takes a drop and fires a lovely approach in to about 15 feet. That's for par.

Casey now has a big chance to win this opening hole and he plays the perfect shot up to the back of the green, spinning it back to 30 feet or so.
07:41

Europe take a one up lead in the second game!

It's been an absolute nightmare start for the US there! With Fowler out of the hole and Johnson having to pitch up the fairway with his second he then proceeded to spin his third shot back into the water.

With Casey on the green in two and Hatton in three that's good enough for the concession and a walk to the second tee with Europe one up.

Back at the second McIlroy and Koepka both lag their birdie putts down to three feet, say "good, good" and walk on.

Back on the first tee we're ready for the rematch of Fleetwood and Molinari against Woods and Reed! This should be a cracker.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (All square through 2)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 1 up through 1)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed

7.55am: Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
07:45

Despite the cold Reed is in short sleeves as always but he does have a wooly hat on. Tiger has opted for the wooly hat over the cap look.

So that's the fashion over, with back to the golf.

With an iron off the tee Reed pushes it right and into the heavy rough which will probably stop him from being able to go for the green there.

Woods now has to find the fairway and he does so perfectly, leaving only a wedge from there.

Fleetwood steps up first for Europe and splits the fairway, sending it just past Woods.

Molinari goes down the left and flirts with the water but it stops short and leaves him with room for a stance. Advantage Europe.
07:52

Plenty of balls in the water already this morning and you can add Casey and Johnson to that at the second.

This is mad stuff from this second game, Johnson wasn't even anywhere near reaching the green and it's only 163 yards.

Fowler respinds, however, with a pearler to 15 feet. What a shot that is with his partner in the lake.

Not quite the same from Hatton who finds the back bunker but at least he's dry and has a chance.

Back at the first Woods goes flag-hunting with his second and knocks it in to about 15 feet while Reed hacks out up the fairway leaving a chance to get up and down for the par.

Fleetwood also finds the green but pushes it slightly, leaving 30 feet while Molinari gets it inside that, about 20 feet away.
07:53

Fowler hits back at the second!

After his absolute shocker at the first he pours the birdie putt right in the middle at the second to beat Hatton's par and level the game back up.

Up ahead to the third we go. After huge drives at the Par 5 Finau and McIlroy both find the bunker short of the pin with McIlroy in a considerably easier spot.
08:02

On the first tee the final match of Jon Rahm and Ian Poulter against Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are ready to go.

Thomas takes a fairway wood and stripes it down the middle while Spieth follows him.

For the Europeans Poulter plays first and also finds the short grass while Rahm becomes the third man this morning to find the lake on the left.

Up ahead at the green neither Molinari or Fleetwood can find the hole for their birdie which leaves Woods with a good look from 12 feet or so.

But the 14-time Major winner misses his good chance at the opener and the hole is halved.

But we do have more blue on the board!

With Koepka in trouble at the third it was left to Finau for the Americans and he bladed his very tough bunker shot over the green and into the rough. That left McIlroy with the simple task of flipping it up to a few feet for a gimme birdie and the hole.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (1 up through 3)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (All square through 2)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (All square through 1)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
08:07

All four players in the third match find dry land with Molinari the closest of them all at 20 feet past the pin. Fleetwood and Woods are both about 30 feet to the right while Reed is on the back fringe.

Back to the bottom game at the first.

Poulter is first on the green with a nice approach to 20 feet and he's followed by Thomas who is about 30 feet above the hole.

On the third Casey and Fowler are in great shape after both found the green in two at the Par 5 and will have looks at eagle while Hatton found the front bunker.
08:13

Reed gets in first for the par at the second after a lovely pitch down the green which leaves Woods with a free run at the birdie. However, he leaves it a few feet short, perhaps lacking a little feel early on with cold hands.

Europe now have two chances to make the birdie and take the lead and they do so!

Fleetwood held some big ones yesterday and he is not letting up today as he rattles his 30 footer into the back of the cup for a two and the hole at the second.

Back to the top match at the fourth and it's Garcia who has taken the mantle!

With the two Americans in trouble in the heavy rough Garcia gets up first and fires a pearler of an approach in to 12 feet below the pin. What a shot that was.

Koepka and Finau can't find the putting surface in two and the pressure is on now to get up and down for a par just to have a chance at the half.
08:15

At the third it's pars all around for the bottom game to halve the opener.

Likewise the third is halved in the second match after Fowler lagged his eagle putt down the tap in distance while Casey did the same with his little chip from just short of the green.

Europe up in two, all square in two with Garcia facing a good chance to double the lead in the top match.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 3)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (All square through 3)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 1 up through 2)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (All square through 1)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
08:20

Europe go two up in the top match!

After their trouble off the tee the best the Americans can do is make two bogeys which leaves Garcia with a simple two-putt for par there at the fourth to double the lead.

But there's trouble at the third in the third match.

After his birdie at the previous hole Fleetwood has driven it in the water at the Par 5 which puts the pressure on Molinari.

The thing is the Italian hasn't missed a fairway since he was 11 years old so he cuts one nicely down the centre as always.

Woods finds the left rough, almost certainly meaning he'll have to lay up while Reed finds the water. Advantage Europe there even after Fleetwoods poor drive.
08:23

What a shot from Spieth!

That's the best we've seen so far at the second! He takes dead aim at the pin and sends a peach into three feet, all but guaranteeing the birdie.

That forces Rahm and Poulter to go straight at the flag as well but Rahm finds the water for the second hole in a row.

I hope he has enough golf balls with him or it'll be a trip to the pro shop after nine to pick up a box.
08:28

Well we expected a quick start for the Americans this morning but it hasn't quite come just yet and Europe are not letting up.

At the fourth Casey has sent a lovely approach in to 10 feet below the hole while Fowler misses the green.

Meanwhile, back at the third the Mol part of 'MoliWood' is doing his job to perfection by finding the heart of the green in two at the Par 5 while Fleetwood is right of the green and in trouble in two.

Woods - who again looks to be walking a bit gingerly today - had to hack out of the heavy rough and from there hits his third to 25 feet. That's for birdie but Molinari is not much further for eagle.

A plus for the US is the bottom game where Spieth's birdie after that super approach has put them one up through two.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 2 up through 4)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (All square through 3)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 1 up through 2)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (USA 1 up through 2)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
08:35

Finau!

Well perhaps this is the spark the US side needed in the top game.

At the Par 4 fifth Finau was in the bunker on the left but he's splashed out and across the green where his ball rattles the pin and drops in for the birdie!

But McIlroy won't let them have it that easy. After a good approach to about 15 feet he rolls the birdie putt into the back of the hole to salvage a half and maintain a two hole cushion.

Good news elsewhere for Europe as well with Casey sinking his birdie putt at the fourth to put himself and Hatton one up after Fowler only managed a par while Molinari has two-putted nicely at the Par 5 third to make birdie and put the 'MoliWood' dream team two up through three.

That board is getting very blue already...

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 2 up through 5)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (1 up through 4)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 2 up through 3)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (USA 1 up through 2)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
08:36

God, what a huge putt by Rory pic.twitter.com/OzgoqrMKm3
— Adam Sarson (@Adam_Sarson) September 29, 2018
08:40

Big fist pump from McIlroy to greet that clutch birdie putt at the last.

At the short Par 4 sixth Finau has laid up with an iron to the fairway while Koepka goes for driver but finds the heavy rough on the right.

Garcia and McIlroy are both in good shape there and looking to make it three up.

Looking to fight back are Poulter and Rahm at the Par 5 third.

After a perfect drive down the fairway Poulter has found the heart of the green in two, leaving an outside eagle chance.

The Americans are both also in decent shape just short of the green in two while Rahm was forced to lay up and has left his third shot just short of the green but nicely in range for a possible pitch in birdie.
08:46

What a shot from Fowler at the fifth!

After finding the fairway he sends a gorgeous approach in to a few feet short of the back right pin. That should be a birdie and puts big pressure on Casey and Hatton.

And Casey responds! An arrow right down the flag rolls out to just outside the distance of Fowler's. Hatton and Johnson also have decent looks at birdie there, making that a putting contest.

Back to the third match where it's going from bad to worse for the Americans. Woods just doesn't look right. He looks stiff and is walking very gingerly and again he's missed the fairway at the fourth. That forces him to hack up towards the green where he will face a seriously difficult pitch while Reed - who looks to have lost every bit of the mojo we saw at Hazeltine - found the right rough and had to just hack up the fairway.

Molinari and Fleetwood do exactly what they need to do in finding the green with Molinari about 20 feet away for the birdie.

It's not happening for Woods and Reed at all in this Ryder Cup and Fleetwood and Moinari are starting to turn the screw.
08:49

At the sixth Koepka's ball has been lost after he went with driver and it buried in the deep rough. Keep two balls in play? Not for this American team it seems.

That leaves Finau on his own and he's done well to stick his approach to 20 feet but it might not be enough.

The chance is there for Garcia and McIlroy to put the foot down in this opening match now and they look to be taking it by sending two lovely wedge shots in to about 10 feet. This could well be three up in a few minutes.

In the bottom game it's a half in birdies at the Par 5 third after Poulter and Thomas both two-putted their eagle efforts to leave the Americans one up.
08:52

Back we go to the second match we go where Hatton and Johnson missed their birdie putts at the fifth but Casey and Fowler both have good looks.

And it's Casey who gets in their first with a perfect roll ito the middle of the hole for birdie. That puts the pressure on Fowler but he responds with a lovely stroke and a three of his own to keep the defecit at one hole.

Over at the fourth Molinari and Fleetwood both two-putted for for but the US managed to salvage a half thanks to a beautiful up and down from Woods. Europe stay two up there.
08:54

McIlroy has found his putting touch and the US are looking for the panic button!

After Finau ran his birdie putt past at the sixth, McIlroy put the hole to bed by sinking his putt for a second birdie in a row to put Europe three up and well in control of that top match.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 3 up through 6)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 1 up through 6)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 2 up through 4)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (USA 1 up through 3)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
09:00

Not what McIlroy wanted after that birdie as he fires his drive way right and out of bounds at the seventh.

However, he's helped by the fact that Garcia is in the fairway - the beauty of fourballs.

Finau also finds the fairway while Koepka is in the rough right and may have to just hack out.

At the fourth Europe may be about to level up the only game they're behind in.

Poulter's superb approach to the back pin has left him with about eight feet for birdie while Rahm, after hacking out onto the fairway from the heavy rough, has spun his third shot in to gimme distance. That's the par and Poulter will have his putt to win the hole after both of the Americans found trouble. A par may even be good enough.
09:05

This whole Ryder Cup business seems to suit Tommy Fleetwood.

After Woods finally found a fairway at the fifth he followed it with a very average approach to about 40 feet. From the rough Reed can only stick it just inside him.

But no such trouble for Fleetwood. From the fairway he fires straight at the pin and his ball pitches and rolls out to about 12 feet. That could well be to go three up.

From the middle of the fairway at the seventh it's imperative Garcia finds the green with McIlroy out of bounds and he does so leaving it about 40 feet away.

Finau cannot do the same. He flares a shocker way right where it looks like it may have gone out of bounds.

Koepka manages to muscle his out to the apron of the green. Looks like it's Garcia v Koepka there.
09:11

There is no red on the board!

Despite missing his birdie putt right at the fourth Poulter's par is enough to win that hole after Thomas missed a par putt from five feet. That levels the game up and puts Europe in an even stronger position. With the foursomes coming later on who knows what score we might be looking at this evening...

Back to the fifth we go. After Woods and Reed both missed their birdie putts Fleetwood was left with the chance from 12 feet to make it three up but his putt starts left and stays left. They stay two up.

At the seventh Garcia and Koepka both come within milimetres of unlikely birdies but the balls refuse to drop and that's halved in pars.

But it's Casey who is getting the cheers at the moment!

From 25 feet at the sixth he's rolled his birdie putt right into the middle to put Europe two up after Johnson missed his putt.

The Americans are under siege here.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 3 up through 7)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 2 up through 6)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 2 up through 5)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (All square through 4)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
09:12

Safe to say Garcia, Casey and Poulter are justifying their wildcard picks this morning anyway.
09:15

Hours of golf: 2
Holes won by the US: 2
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) September 29, 2018
09:19

RORY MCILROY!

The McIlroy we know and love is well and truly back! After no birdies in his fourball match yesterday he has made four in the first eight this morning, the latest coming via an absolute bomb at the Par 3 from at least 40 feet.

That puts the pressure big time on Finau who played a lovely shot in to 10 feet.

And he can't respond. That is typical, typical matchplay there. Once again Europe take one against the head in that top match and they are now four up.
09:28

At the sixth Reed is all over the shop again - he hasn't found a single fairway yet - while Woods is a long way away with his approach.

Tiger two-putts nicely for the par, leaving Molinari and Fleetwood with chances from inside 25 feet to make birdie and win the hole but neither can do so and that's anothe half in pars, leaving Europe two up.

Casey's run of five birdies in a row comes to an end at the seventh but it's not to matter because his par is enough for the half to stay two up.

In the bottom match Rahm comes within a hair of sinking his birdie putt at the fifth but it refuses to drop.

That leaves Spieth with a chance to win the hole from 20 feet but he can't do so. The bottom match stays all square.

We could have a processional Sunday on the way at this stage...

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 4 up through 8)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 2 up through 7)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 2 up through 6)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (All square through 5)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
09:35

If there is to be any sort of fightback from the Americans in the top game it looks like it's going to come from Finau who has hit a lovely approach in to 10 feet at the ninth while Garcia and McIlroy both missed the green.

Speaking of fightbacks, Spieth and Thomas are still keeping those stars and stripes flying in the final game.

After Poulter stuck his approach in to six feet at the sixth Spieth has knocked his two two feet. That will be a gimme birdie but Poulter will still have a good chance at the half to keep the game at all square.
09:42

Was there ever any doubt?

Poulter rattles his birdie into the back of the hole at the sixth to halve that hole and keep the game at all square, crucially keeping the red off the scoreboard.

Back to the top game at the ninth and the Americans have finally managed to muster some fightback. After Garcia and McIlroy could only manage a par at best at the Par 5, Koepka holds his nerve to drain a birdie putt and cut the gap to three. Is that to flicker to spark a fightack?

Meanwhile, at the seventh Woods has once again been left on his own. That's because Captain America himself (Reed) has driven it out of bounds - he's still yet to find a fairway today. Tiger does well to find the heart of the green with Fleetwood also in trouble down the left and looking to manage a par at best.

And finally Hatton comes to the fore! At the eighth he has buried his birdie putt to win the hole and put Europe three up over Johnson and Fowler.

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 3 up through 9)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 3 up through 8)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 2 up through 6)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (All square through 6)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
09:44

Tiger!

After playing that hole all on his own he's managed to make the first birdie of the day for that pairing and win their first hole of the day with a bomb on the seventh. That's enough to cut 'MoliWood's' lead to one hole.

There's been a little flicker from the US in the last 20 minutes or so. Is it enough to turn the tide?
09:50

Reed and Woods could well start a US fightback here and they've both found the green at the Par 3 eighth with Tiger about 40 feet away and Reed 20 feet or so.

Fleetwood's effort flies left and finishes up beside Tiger's while Molinari faces about the same distance as Reed. Putting competition there.

At the 10th Garcia and McIlroy need to stop any sort of US momentum and they've both found the green at the Par 4, along with the two Americans, with Garcia the closest of the lot.
09:53

If Woods and Reed could fight back in the third game this whole situation could change very quickly.

The top two matches should go to Europe but the bottom two are right in the balance.

At the seventh Poulter - alongside Rahm who has been very disappointing this morning so far - found the green, leaving his ball about 30 feet away. Spieth then stepped up and put it to about half that distance. He certainly won't back off anyway.
09:57

No joy for any of the quartet in the third match at the eighth as they all have to settle for pars and that remains one up to Europe.

It's the same story at the 10th in the top match where Garcia was unlucky not to find the hole for the birdie to put Europe four up. That stays at three with Garcia and McIlroy comfortably in control.
09:59

But now the board is fully blue!

And it's courtesy of the postman himself Ian Poulter who has rattled in his 20 footer at the seventh to a huge roar and huge fist pumps to win the hole against Spieth and Thomas and put Europe one up!

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 3 up through 10)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 3 up through 8)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 1 up through 8)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (Europe 1 up through 7)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
10:08

Garcia is absolutely on his game today and he's not letting the Americans have an inch.

At the Par 3 11th Finau sent a towering iron shot in to five feet but Garcia followed him with a beauty of his own to 10 feet.

McIlroy missed the green over the back but very nearly sent the place into raptures again with a magnificent pitch which lipped out for the two!

That's a par for Europe and a par for the US thanks to Koepka meaning Garcia and Finau will now putt off for the hole.

Garcia, down the hill and left-to-right starts it outside and it comes all the way back in and drops!

They have just put an absolute dagger into the heart of the Americans at any opportunity today.

Once again Finau is suddenly putting for a half and, once again, he misses left!

That's a shocker and Europe go four up with seven to play in that top game.

Over at the Par 5 ninth it's trouble for Woods who has driven into the water but, finally, Reed has found a fairway so they're in decent shape there.
10:15

Spieth is leading any sort of American fightback at the eighth by sticking a super tee shot in to five feet at the Par 3. That results in a birdie and wins the hole after Poulter and Rahm both failed to find the two. That game goes back to all square an once again there's a chink of light in a very dark tunnel for the visitors.

The second last match is looking more and more key as the morning goes on. After two good hits up to the side of the green and a decent pitch down to the hole Reed has about seven feet for the birdie while Tiger has the same for par after he found the water off the tee.

But Fleetwood won't let them have that. He knocks his third up to tap-in distance and secured the birdie, leaving the pressure on Reed for the haf.
10:18

Reed finally steps up to the mark and sinks his birdie putt to halve that hole and keep the defecit at one.

In the top match Finau stuck a super approach in to eight feet at the 12th but McIlroy, from a divot has put it inside him! That game is moving ever closer to the end.

With that I shall sign off and leave Johnny Watterson to it for the next while. Will the blue wave continue?

Scores

Garcia & McIlroy v Finau & Koepka (Europe 4 up through 11)

Casey & Hatton v Johnson & Fowler (Europe 3 up through 10)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & Reed (Europe 1 up through 9)

Poulter & Rahm v Thomas & Spieth (All square through 8)

Overall: Europe 5 USA 3
10:24

Garcia five birdies in his round so far and Casey five birdies also - two players who are carrying the European charge this morning. The Americans are just not making the putts at the moment.
Finau does though at 12. His six footer follows Garcia in to halve the hole. Rory/Sergio still 4 up thru 12.
10:28

There is a strong breeze in Paris and it's very cold. That's not quite the weather they are used to in Florida where many of the players live.
Beautiful approach to the 10th from Tiger. Birdie chance there from seven feet. Molinari follows him in raising a cheer from the crowd. Not as close as Tiger but close enough for birdie here too.
Fleetwood follows Molinari into 10. Europe will have two good looks at birdie.
10:31

Johnson has just pulled one back from Casey and Hatton on the 11th. A long putt from the American from around 20 feet gets them to two holes down with seven holes to play.
Europe are still up in three matches and AS in one.
10:34

Fleetwood pushes his putt past the hole for birdie on 10. Molinari's effort just hangs out to the right and does not go in. Tiger holes his putt from four feet for birdie to go all square in the third match thru 10 holes.
10:39

McIlroy is in the water at 13 but Sergio slashes one out of the rough left and makes the green. Good effort from Sergio but the Americans are much closer to the pin. This is a chance form them to pull back a hole from four down.
Reed hits a semi shank to the right on 11. Horrendous. But Tiger hits the belly of the green, Fleetwood the apron but his ball spins back and comes to rest against some longer grass.
Molinari . Belissimo. His tee shot almost goes in for an ace before rolling three feet past
10:43

Finau and Koepka both miss putts on 13 to throw away another chance to pull something back from McIlroy and Sergio. Five to goin this match and Europe are still four up.
10:48

SCORING -
Sergio/McIlroy 4 up thru 13 v Finau/Koepka
Casey/Hatton 2 up thru 11 v Johnson/Fowler
Molinari/Fleetwood 1 up thru 11 v Woods/Reed
Poulter/Rahm All Square thru 9 v Spieth/Thomas
10:54

You can't have scepticism about whether the Ryder Cup really matters to players when watching this. They care about it, no mistake.
— Ewan Murray (@mrewanmurray) September 29, 2018
10:59

Koepka and Finau are beginning to run out of holes in the top match. Finau hits his approach to the par 5 14th hole to birdie distance. Sergio matches Finau to keep up the pressure. If they halve this hole Europe cannot lose the match and they will know that.
11:06

On the 12th it is time for Reed to show up after Fleetwood sticks it to four feet. But no the American hits the green and his ball falls off. Europe take advantage, Molinari holing for a birdie to go 2 up thru 12 holes.

On 14 Garcia takes fails to hole his putt from around 10 feet. The Americans take one back and move to 3 down thru 14. On 11 Thomas rolls one in for a birdie 2 to take a one hole lead over Rahm and Poulter.
Europe are still ahead in three matches and behind in one.
11:08

Poor Tiger’s back must be in an awful state, carrying Patrick Reed all morning. Remarkable.
— Tweeter Alliss (@TweeterAlliss) September 29, 2018
11:12

SCORING -
Sergio/Rory 3 up thru 14 v Finau/Koepka
Casey/Hatton 2 up thru 13 v Johnson/Fowler
Molinari/Fleetwood 2 up thru 12 v Woods/Reed
Poulter/Rahm 1 down thru 11 v Thomas/Spieth
11:17

Goodness both McIlroy and Sergio are in the water on 15. Both misjudged their approach to the island green, first Sergio and then Rory. Finau and Koepka are on dry ground. It looks like the European lead in the top match will be cut to 2 up with three to play.
11:23

Sergio and Rory have to hole their 4th shots after water on 15. Rory is short and Sergio hits a remarkable iron to 12 inches for a five. Finau has two putts to win from 20 feet. Hmmm he leaves it 2 feet short. Meanwhile Koepka misses his effort from two feet to put pressure on Finau. He holes out okay to claim another hole. Europe 2 up thru 15.
Meanwhile Molinari and Fleetwood go three up thru 13 with Casey and Hatton also going 3 up against Johnson and Fowler thru 14.
11:27

"Oh deary me!"

Koepka misses a tiddler but Finau holes his putt.#TeamEurope are 2️⃣🆙 with 3️⃣ to play!

Follow live updates from day two of the 42nd #RyderCup live on the Sky Sports Ryder Cup channel: https://t.co/7yzYt2Xwku #BelieveInBlue pic.twitter.com/LVaNdZ01uF
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 29, 2018
11:28

3 up with 5 to play. 🔥

Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari are a force to be reckoned with. https://t.co/yeuqv6Msx9 pic.twitter.com/v8SZAOU3PQ
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) September 29, 2018
11:30

Molinari and Fleetwood have won the last three holes to the 14th and have built some great momentum going to the 14th.
11:33

McIlroy hits his long putt dead on 16. That's a 3 for him. Koepka misses his birdie putt and McIlroy throws his ball to him. It's up to Finau from 15 feet. The ball tracks well and it's in. This is a huge momentum shift for America with Finau in for 2 and the European lead cut to 1 up with 2 holes to play.
America have won the last three holes to launch them right back into this match.
11:37

3-STRAIGHT for @BKoepka/@tonyfinaugolf! 🔥

Garcia/McIlroy are now just 1 UP with two to play. #RyderCup #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/NkDVhZHblB
— PGA of America (@PGA) September 29, 2018
11:42

Casey and Hatton could win the match on 15 over Johnson and Fowler. Fowler has found the water so he's out of it. It's up to Johnson to keep them in the match. Casey is in for 4...but Johnson chips in from off the green to keep the game alive. Europe here 3 up thru 15 holes.
11:51

Fleetwood mises from 6 feet to go four up with four to play. Good shape anyway at 3 up with 4 to play.
Mcilroy drops his 20 foot putt for par on 17 after having to hack out from the fairway rough. That takes the pressure of Sergio for his birdie effort. Good old Sergio. He jams it in from the fringe, a huge roar from the crowd reverberating around the course. Finau and Koepka can't match Sergio's birdie and the match is over. Ole ole chant the crowd.
First points of the morning to Europe. Sergio and Rory beat Koepka and Finau 2&1 for a European team lead of 6-3
11:56

"That 3 on 17 from Sergio is so clutch," says Rory after their win.

Victory for Casey and Hatton over Johnson and Fowler over on 16. Europe pocket another point with a 3&2 win in the second match of the morning. Europe have now won the last seven matches stretching back to day 1.
Europe lead USA 7-3
11:57

Psychological win for USA in first four-ball. At least it got a match to the 17th hole. #RyderCup
— Dave Shedloski (@DaveShedloski) September 29, 2018
12:02

Reed in the water at 16. Tiger has pitched it out of the fairway rough while Europe are eyeing up the green in two shots. Fleetwood is greenside in two. Nice and safe there. Molinari goes for the jugular and sends his second over the water and 15 feet from the pin. Molinari and Fleetwood are 3 up and they could win the match here.
12:05

It has been 10 years since Casey last played on the Ryder Cup.
"I can't say how proud I am. I didn't just want to make the team. You want to contribute," says Casey.
12:10

So Molinari eyes up his birdie putt on 15. It slides past the cup. He has a tiddler now to win the match. But first Tiger from 20 feet to continue the match to the 16th with a down hill par putt...NO. His effort never even looks at the cup and it misses left. The Americans concede and shake hands.
Molinari/Fleetwood beat Woods/Reed 4&3. Europe lead 8-3.
12:12

Meanwhile Europe, through Rahm and Poulter are battling to make it a clean sweep in today's fourballs. America's Spieth and Thomas are a hole up thru 14.
12:13

The European Team have won the last 8 straight matches going back to the final Four-Ball match Friday morning.
12:15

Rahm in the water at 15. He just did a Rory and Sergio although at least he hit firm ground before his ball fell sideways off the green. Plop.
12:17

Afternoon Pairings with the hugely impressive Molinari and Fleetwood ready to do a fast turn around.

Rose/Stenson v Johnson/Koepka, Garcia/Noren v Watson/Simpson, Molinari/Fleetwood v Woods/DeChambeau, Poulter/McIlroy v Spieth/Thomas.
12:20

Molinari and Fleetwood have about an hour to get some soup and sandwiches before they tee off.
12:23

On 15 Poulter's birdie effort rolls 3 feet past the cup (Rahm was in the water). Spieth from 12 feet never really on track with his birdie putt and he misses right. Poulter safely in halves the hole from 4 feet. The USA (Spieth/Thomas) go into the last three holes 1 up.
12:25

USA would do better in the Ryder Cup if the setups in the US punished the miss. Players would adapt and become straighter. Europe has two players in the hole in 4 balls because they find fairways. Europe has foursomes teams that find fairways. It’s why they win Ryder Cups. https://t.co/vKF2FBkxpL
— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) September 29, 2018
12:30

Poulter zero's in on 16. The par three is reduced to a four foot putt. Great pressure from the Englishman. Rahm shoots his iron over the green but it rebounds to the fringe. Lucky bounce.
Nice reaction from Thomas and Spieth. Thomas hits his tee shot up beside Poulter and Spieth is just a foot further away on the other side of the cup. Three birdie putts and an outside chance for Rahm too.
12:31

Hah ha ha. A new name has been coined. Half Italian, half English and totally Indian.
MolliWood.
12:37

Rahm is coming down the hill on the par-3 16th from the apron of the green. He putts it to gimme range and that's a three. Spieth from five feet badly misses to the right. Unusual for such a great putter. Poulter for birdie, a little up hill. Yes straight into the middle. Poulter pumps his chest with his fist. Birdie. Over to Thomas to halve the hole. His roll tries to miss but the lip keeps it in. Birdie. More fist pumps from Thomas as USA hold their one hole lead with two to play.
12:38

Bjorn's pairings have been rather fantastic, Paul Casey can feel a little aggrieved at not playing this afternoon, he has played majestically over the last two days. Splendid.
— Tweeter Alliss (@TweeterAlliss) September 29, 2018
12:41

Poulter with driver at 17. Eek he is in a nasty tangle with the rough. Rahm is also in the rough left. Not good for Europe here. Thomas knocks it down about 300 yards with Spieth in rough as well. Advantage Thomas. The match could fall to the US on this hole.
12:48

Poulter winds up and takes a huge slash at his ball in the rough. Like every double figure handicap golfer the ball dives into more rough. Spieth does the same. Remarkable. Rahm now. Here is real power. He crashes it out of the rough and it rolls up and through the green to the back.
Thomas on the fairway puts his approach to six feet. Beautiful iron from Thomas. The match will likely end here with an American win.
12:51

Poulter finally hits flat ground with his third shot from the rough. He now has an outside chance of par with Rahm an outside chance of birdie. Thomas has a certain par and good chance of birdie for the match on 17.
12:55

Rahm from the fringe of the green opts for wedge for birdie. The ball tracks nicely but pulls up short. He sighs in frustration. Par for Rahm as Thomas lines up for birdie from five feet. It's down hill and moves left to right and it's...in. Birdie and hole to the US.
The USA win 1 up in the final match of the morning fourballs for their only point.
Europe 8 USA 4
12:56

JT and Jordan stop the slow bleed for the US and score the only point for the Americans in the morning four-balls. Still 8-4 Europe heading to foursomes.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) September 29, 2018
13:04

The first foursomes of the afternoon and Justin Rose has just pulled off a miracle iron at the first. He slashes across the ball because it is teetering on the edge of the water and Rose has no stance. Four feet from the pin. Nicely done.
13:04

🔵 2&1
🔵 3&2
🔵 4&3
🔴 2&1

It's been #TeamEurope's morning in Paris. 🗼

Follow live updates from day two of the 42nd #RyderCup live on the Sky Sports Ryder Cup channel: https://t.co/7yzYt2Xwku #BelieveInBlue pic.twitter.com/MPWsuSfgoP
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) September 29, 2018
13:07

Stenson misses the short putt following the Rose miracle shot from the edge of the water at the first. US go one up.
13:08

Sergio is off the first. He is out with Noren and they are up against Watson and Simpson.
13:09

"It's easy to look at the scoreboard but we are not even halfway through this tournament," Thomas after himself and Spieth won their morning match over Rahm and Poulter.
13:10

"They done well against this morning. We keep going. We go with what we have and we keep pushing. Nothing is won," Thomas Bjorn the European Ryder Cup captain.
13:13

"Rory likes playing with guys he knows and who he gets on well with," Thomas Bjorn.
13:15

Super chip from Rose at the second to give his partner Stenson a short little putt to half the hole. Johnson and Koepka still lead by one hole thru 2.
13:19

Garcia falls short with an 8-foot right to left on the first hole. So America take the first hole in the second match too. Early doors there is a little bit of red creeping onto the scoreboard. The USA are 2 up in the opening two matches thru holes 1 and 2.
Up next MolliWood against Tiger and Dechambeau.
13:21

Total holes led during this morning's four-balls matches:

Europe: 44
USA: 9
All Square: 12
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) September 29, 2018
13:32

Second hole over water -
Europe is on the green for 3 and the USA are on the green for 5. Red faces all round from Noren, Bubba and Simpson. Astonishing mistakes all round. Bubba has the good grace to look embarrassed.
Holy Cow ! Noren has duffed the fourth, Sergio misses the putt for five and Europe are in for six. The hole is halved with a triple bogey six.
But they were solid sixes!
13:41

"It was huge. It was huge. They hung in there and gutted it out. Big point for us," said Jim Furyk, USA captain on the point picked up by Spieth and Thomas in the morning session.
"We have a lot of work to do this afternoon to get close. I'm sure our guys aren't happy with the way they played. I think you are really going to see a fight this afternoon."

Spieth and Poulter lead out the USA and Europe the final group.
13:44

Noren rips his iron way right on the third. He needs to steady the ship before himself and Sergio start slipping more than one hole behind Webb and Bubba.
Sergio hits wedge from the rough over a bunker and stops it five feet from the pin. Over to Noren on the third.
13:49

Scoreboard -
Stenson/Rose AS thru 4 v Johnson/Koepka
Garcia/Noren 1 down thru 3 v Watson/Simpson
Molinari/Fleetwood 1 up thru 2 v Woods/Dechambeau
Poulter/McIlroy 1 up v Spieth/Thomas

PS: Sergio/Noren have gone par, triple bogey, birdie in the first three holes.
13:55

Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth go 2 down early in their match against Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy. #RyderCup
— Global Golf Post (@GlobalGolfPost) September 29, 2018
14:00

Well its been special over the last several hours. Ruaidhri Croke will take over for the rest of the afternoon as the early patches of red begin to turn blue. Early doors of course but Europe lead in two matches, the USA in one and another halved. Enjoy.
14:02

Thanks Johnny.

So into the foursomes we go with the US needing something special. So far they’re mounting a bit of a fightback but Europe are still up in two games.

This morning was an exact reverse of yesterday’s morning session. Will we see another reverse of the foursomes session to level things up?

To catch up on the earlier action you can read Malachy Clerkin’s dispatch from Paris – Ryder Cup: Team Blue turns the screw on Americans
14:05

After a nightmare up the Par 5 third for DeChambeau and Woods, Fleetwood holes a short par putt to win the hole and put the superstar duo two up.

Over at the fourth Watson and Simpson have doubled their lead over Garcia and Noren who have started shakily.

Back down the third McIlroy goes for the green in two at the Par 5 and pushes it slightly into the bunker but that shouldn't be too tough a shot for Poulter.

Thomas also went for the green in two and found the back of it, leaving Spieth with 25 feet for eagle.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (All square through 5)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 2 up through 4)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 2 up through 3)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (Europe 2 up through 2)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
14:11

A chink of light for Garcia and Noren at the fifth, perhaps. Simpson's tee shot turned over left and looks to have buried in the long rough while Garcia stripes one down the fairway to leave Noren in position A at the long Par 4.

Back at the third Poulter's bunker shot is fairly average, running out to about 10 feet. USA have a chance there for eagle don't forget.

And in the top game Koepka and Johnson may just escape the sixth with a four. That's after Rose found the heart of the green with his approach, leaving Stenson with a 30 footer for par while Koepka played a lovely pitch up to allow Johnson hole out for par. That game remains all square.
14:14

Drama at the third!

Spieth, with a little pitch from the back fringe, sends it past the hole and they have to settle for a birdie.

That leaves McIlroy with a 10 footer to halve the hole and he sinks it before turning around to a few American fans who were giving him some stick and shouting “Who am I? Who am I? I’m Rory. Fu***ng come on!”

Some passionate stuff there from McIlroy as they stay two up.

However, he can't follow it up on the fourth tee as he flares his tee shot miles right and possibly out of bounds. Poulter has hit a provisional while Spieth finds the fairway.
14:20

Woods has looked out of sorts yesterday and today and DeChambeau just does not look at all suited for team play.

That makes for a pretty bad combination and they remain two down through four after halving the fourth in pars.

In the top match Stenson has found the heart of the green at the long Par 4 seventh to give Rose 25 feet for birdie.

After an equally good tee shot from Johnson, Koepka fires straight at the pin and his ball settles about 20 feet short. That game is absolutely imperative for the US to win this afternoon if they're going to mount a fightback.

In the second match they are up but now only by just one after Watson missed for par at the fifth and Noren rolled his putt for a four right in the middle.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (All square through 6)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 1 up through 5)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 2 up through 4)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (Europe 2 up through 3)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
14:25

At the fifth Molinari misses the fairway, giving the US pairing an opportunity as Fleetwood will struggle to reach the green from there.

And DeChambeau follows him into the rough. With an iron. That is poor.

Back to the top match at the seventh.

Johnson was first up for the birdie and his putt looked good all the way but it stopped right in the jaws. Rose then steps up with a chance to win the hole but his putt misses left and thatgame stays all square.

In the bottom game McIlroy's ball was found but it was out of bounds meaning Poulter had to go back to the tee and play again (hitting their third shot). After that McIlroy plays the fourth towards the green but it buries in the bunker and at this stage it would just be better to concede that hole and move on, still one up.
14:33

In the third match Woods could only hack up to a greenside bunker from a dreadful lie in the rough at the fifth. From there DeChambeau splashes out to a few feet and Woods should be able to save par.

From 30 feet away Molinari has a run at his putt and rolls it five feet past meaning Europe are still up. But Fleetwood is not missing that - he rattles it in for par, as does Woods and they half and go to the sixth with Europe still two up.

At the fourth McIlroy and Poulter have conceded that hole so they go back to one up.

But it's bad news in the second game for Europe. A lovely birdie putt from Watson finds the middle of the hole and they increase their lead to two up.
14:36

Europe take the lead in the top match.

After both groups missed the green at the Par 3 Rose pitched up nicely to gimme distance, something Johnson couldn't do. He left his long putt from the fringe 10 feet short and Koepka failed to make the par. That's now Europe up in three and down in just one.

We could be moving closer to a processional Sunday...

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 8)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 2 up through 6)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 2 up through 5)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (Europe 1 up through 4)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
14:40

In the bottom match Poulter set McIlroy up nicely in the middle of the fairway. McIlroy looks like he likes his shot all the way in the air but it gets caught in the breeze, lands short and bounces into the bunker.

Thomas, from an equally good position, punches one nicely in to 20 feet. McIlroy and Poulter have a serious job on their hands with those two.

In the third match it's another fairway missed for WoodChambeau - this time by Tiger. With little or not shot DeChambeau hacks at it and it absolutely flies out of the rough and over the green.

That gives Europe a chance, despite the fact they're also in the rough but they do have a better lie. Molinari manages to slash one up onto the middle of the green, leaving Fleetwood with about 60 feet for the birdie.
14:45

As I said - McIlroy and Poulter have a serious job on their hands.

And it's an even bigger job if Spieth finds his range with the putter which is what he has done at the fifth. From 30 feet he rolls the birdie putt right into the centre to win the hole and level the match back up.

So, Europe up in two, down in one and all square in one.

Back to Tiger. With the face of the wedge wide open he lobs a huge flop shot up into the air ... and it comes up 30 feet short.

Two putts now could do it for Europe and Fleetwood does the first part perfectly by lagging it up.

That leaves DeChambeau with 30 feet for the half and he can't find the hole. That's the WoodChambeau pair now three down through six.
14:52

The second match is not going well for Europe with Garcia and Noren really struggling. After Garcia drove way left at the seventh Noren has only been able to advance it further up the heavy rough.

However, from the middle of the fairway Watson gives them some respite by missing the green left which will leave Simpson with a dreadfully difficult pitch from the rough and on a downslope.

In the top match both pairs missed the green in two at the Par 5 ninth and neither managed to get up and down for birdie. A par each there and Europe remain one up.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 9)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 2 up through 6)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 3 up through 6)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (All square through 5)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
14:58

After Thomas drove it in the rough at the sixth, Spieth could only hack up to the right fringe while Poulter hit a very poor approach from the middle of the fairway to 30 feet. From there McIlroy rolled his putt six feet past while Thomas left his pitch stone dead.

That leaves the pressure on Poulter for the half and this time he can't make it.

That's three wins in a row for Spieth and Thomas now and they go one up.

But, ahead at the green there the pair of Watson and Simpson are now three up after Europe's travails resulted in a double bogey. Noren and Garcia just do not look at the races this afternon.

Europe up in two and down in two now.
15:04

After DeChambeau finally found a fairway and Woods finally found a good approach with Europe off the green in two there was a chance for the Americans at the seventh in that third match.

But no sir. A gorgeous pitch from Molinari secures a four and DeChambeau's birdie putt lips out so Europe remain three up.

Up in the second match it goes from bad to worse for Noren and Garcia as they now go four down at the Par 3 eighth thanks to a great birdie putt from Simpson.

The USA are fighting here anyway, that's for sure.
15:10

Europe take a two hole lead in the top match.

With both pairs a good distance away on the 10th green Rose and Stenson manage to two putt while Johnson misses for a US par from four feet.

In the bottom match Thomas put the US approach in the bunker at the seventh while McIlroy left Poulter with a 50 footer for birdie.

Spieth only managed to splash out to 10 feet while Poulter lagged up nicely. That left Thomas with a tricky putt for par to remain in the lead and he does so well to keep the US one up.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 2 up through 10)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 4 up through 8)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 3 up through 7)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 1 up through 7)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
15:13

Fleetwood and Molinari go four up.

Tiger just does not look himself at all. There hasn't been a single smile yesterday or today and he looks stiff after a long comeback season.

That game looks like it should be as good as done, as does the second game in favour of the US. The other two are right in the balance.

Some Ryder Cup debut Bryson DeChambeau is having.
15:18

To the closest match of them all we go - the bottom game.

They've reached the Par 3 eighth and it's Thomas up first. He pulls his shot slightly where it bounds off the green and into a little collection area.

McIlroy just needs to find the heart of the green but he can't do so as he follows Thomas off to the left. Identical pitches coming up there for Poulter and Spieth.

At the Par 3 11th neither Koepka or Stenson can find the birdie from 30 feet or so and that's a half to leave Europe two up.

Back at the 10th Noren had a putt for birdie from six feet to win the hole and perhaps start a fightback but he misses left. He doesn't look with it all today, the Swede.

USA stay four up in that one.
15:24

So, here's the thinking.

If the second and third matches are as good as over - which they should be - you can make that scoreline 9-5.

If the US can take the top match and the bottom match we would have a mouthwatering situation heading into tomorrow at 9-7. If it stays as it is we're looking at 10-6.

That's the same scoreline USA came back from in 1999 at Brookline and Europe came back from in 2012 at Medinah but it's a seriously tall order with Europe only requiring four and a half points tomorrow.

Anyway, back to the action.

At the Par 3 eighth a par is enough for Spieth and Thomas to increase their lead to two after McIlroy and Poulter only managed a bogey.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (2 up through 11)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 4 up through 9)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 4 up through 8)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 2 up through 8)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
15:25

And perhaps a comeback in the top game is in the offing!

That's after Rose pushed his approach right from the middle of the fairway at the Par 4 12th, leaving Stenson with a tricky chip up the green.

It gives Johnson the chance to put the pressure on and he does so by sticking one to 10 feet to give Koepka a good look at birdie.
15:29

Perhaps an opening for Garcia and Noren.

At the 10th Garcia has managed to muscle his second shot onto the green to leave Noren with a birdie putt.

Simpson could only hack out with his second and from there Watson has left him with 15 feet or so for par. Chance for Europe there.

But there's no such chance for the US in the third match. After a lovely bunker shot at the Par 5 ninth from DeChambeau, Woods had a good look at birdie but he pulled his putt left and it stayed out.

That left Fleetwood with six feet to win the hole and go five up and what did he do?

Well, you know what he did. He has not missed all week.
15:34

This is getting humiliating for Tiger.

And to think those scenes at East Lake were just seven days ago.

Anyway, back to the top match where America are right back in it.

After Stenson could only pitch up to 12 feet Rose missed the par putt and then conceded Koepka's short birdie putt.

That goes back to just one up for Europe with six to play.

Back at the 10th Noren and Garcia have taken their chance to win that hole with a par and get it back to three down.

Those first and last games are so key in this contest.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 12)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 3 up through 10)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 5 up through 9)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 2 up through 8)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
15:40

Trouble at the ninth for McIlroy and Poulter. After McIlroy drove in the rough Poulter could only hack at it and it flew up and into a greenside bunker. That leaves McIlroy playing their fourth from a greenside bunker and he splashes it up nicely to five feet.

Spieth then pitches up to four feet. Poulter holes for par to put the pressure on Thomas and what does he do? He misses. Classic matchplay there and a steal of a half for Europe. They stay two down but will take momentum from that.

At the Par 3 11th Garcia has found the green, leaving Noren with 25 feet for birdie but the Swede coudn't find the hole. They have to settle for par and the US also two putt for par to stay three up.
15:45

Finally Woods sinks a birdie putt at the 10th and puts the pressure on Fleetwood and for once, for once, the Englishman misses.

That's a hole back for the Americans and they get it back to four down with eight to play.

And here comes that momentum from Thomas's missed putt at the ninth. With his tee shot at the 10th he has sprayed it way right into the heavy rough while Europe find the fairway.
15:49

What a putt from Justin Rose!

With both groups on the green and putting for birdie at the 13th, Johnson missed first before Rose stepped up and nailed his putt from 20 feet to put Europe two up in that top match. That is a huge putt.

And there's an opening for Europe in the bottom match as well. From that heavy rough Spieth could only hack up to short of the green at the 10th. Poulter, from the fairway, fires his in to 15 feet and gives McIlroy a good chance at getting that game back to one down, barring a Thomas hole out.

And Garcia and Noren are now fighting back!

After the Americans missed the green at the Par 4 12th with their approach, Garcia fired a beauty in to eight feet, most likely giving Noren a chance to get that back to just two down.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 2 up through 13)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 3 up through 11)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 4 up through 10)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 2 up through 9)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
15:52

So close for McIlroy!

His birdie effort at the 10th lips out on the right, meaning it's just a par for Europe. And that means America manage to get the half our of it after a superb pitch shot from Thomas to save the par.

And is there a very unlikely comeback on the cards from Woods and DeChambeau?!

After winning the 10th they have now just won the 11th with a two and it's Tiger again who walks in the putt. That's just three up now for Molinari and Fleetwood and possibly getting a bit shaky.

No such luck for Noren at the 12th as his birdie putt slips past the right edge after that stunning Garcia approach. They remain three down.

So, Europe two up and three up, USA two up and three up.
15:55

At the Par 3 11th Spieth sends a lovely tee shot in to about 15 feet to put the pressure on Europe.

Poulter finds the green but leaves McIlroy with a good 30 foot putt for the birdie and, at two down, they need something to happen. Perhaps that long putt will be it.
16:02

Not this time.

It's a great effort from McIlroy but it just about runs out of steam at the end and Thomas now has a putt to put America three up.

And he makes it!

And gives it a huge first pump! That was absolutely clutch, that pairing has been so good so far.

USA go three up in that one.

At the Par 5 14th Koepka played a lovely approach into the back left pin after they were in trouble off the tee to leave Johnson with a birdie chance but he missed.

Now Rose has about 20 feet for the birdie to go three up with four to play...

And it just slips past the right edge.

Europe stay two up in that one with four to play.
16:04

At the 12th Molinari has fired an absolute laser over the pin to about 12 feet. What a shot.

With the pressure on DeChambeau sends his approach long to leave Woods with a chip back which he knocks stone dead but Fleetwood will have that birdie putt to send Europe back to four up.
16:07

Tommy. Fleetwood.

What an outrageous performance this has been on his Ryder Cup debut.

He rolls the birdie putt right in the middle to send Europe back to four up and put himself and Molinari in a perfect position to become the first ever European pair to win four matches in a row over the first two days.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 2 up through 14)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 3 up through 12)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 4 up through 12)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 3 up through 11)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
16:09

At the 13th Garcia has 25 feet for a birdie to win the hole but he can't make it and they remain three down with five to play.

Back at the 12th Spieth and Thomas are turning the screw.

Although Poulter's approach didn't help given that he hit it fat and left it way short. Spieth finds the green and they now look in an even stronger position in that one.

Up to the 15th we go and the top match.

Rose is on the tee for Europe and he flirts with the water but finds the fairway while Johnson does the same. The Americans are hanging in there in that game and they need to turn it around.
16:15

From somewhere around the next Parisian postal district McIlroy makes a decent go at his long putt at the 12th but it rolls eight feet past, leaving that for Poulter for the par.

Thomas's birdie putt looks good all the way but turns left and stays out. Poulter then needs to kake for the half and he does so!

Big, big putt that and Europe stay three down with six to play.

Back to the top match at the 15th. It's Koepka to play first with the chance to put the pressure on and oh my word does he!

He's after stitching it to tw feet! That's going to be a gimme birdie and puts big pressure on Stenson now.

And the Swede responds!

It's not quite gimme distance but it's about 12 feet and a great chance for Rose.
16:17

But Rose misses right!

That's a big win for the Americans there and they cut the gap to just one hole. If they can win that game it will be huge.

At the 13th Woods is buried in the deep rough on the right but does remarkably well to pump it up to 20 feet.

From the opposite side Fleetwood can only find the back of the green. Europe are looking pretty comfortable there though at four up.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 15)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 3 up through 13)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 4 up through 12)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 3 up through 12)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
16:21

At the 16th Koepka turns his tee shot over a little, leaving Rose with about 30 feet for the birdie.

But Rose will be in a bit of trouble. That's after Stenson hits his approach long and left, leaving Rose with a tricky putt against the collar of the fringe and a long way away.

At the 13th there are no birdies for Molinari or four DeChambeau and Europe remain four up with five to play now.
16:25

What a shot from Simpson!

At the Par 5 14th he has fired a magnificent three-wood in to six feet, leaving Watson with that for eagle!

In the end he doesn't even have to put it because Europe can't make the birdie and the Americans go four up with four to play there.

Back to the top match we go.

Rose is forced to chip up and over the collar of rough and down to the pin where it runs six feet past.

Johnson now has a chance from 30 feet to square the game up...

And he leaves it right in the jaws!

That's a par for the Americans and Stenson now must hole out to keep Europe ahead with two to play.

Well, he's not called the Ice Man for no reason. He bangs it in the back of the cup and Europe take a one hole lead to the 17th.
16:31

Sticking with the top match which looks like it's definitely the key on now.

Johnson takes driver off the tee but pulls it left. However it looks like it's far enough left that it's found the grass trampled down by the fans and will leave Koepka with a good lie.

Rose opts for three wood and finds the right hand side of the perfect. Exactly what was needed

Back to the bottom match we go and there's some trouble for Europe at the 13th after McIlroy's approach missed the green. However, Poulter played a lovely flop shot up and onto the green where it rolls out to five feet.

However that still leaves Spieth with 12 feet to win the hole and he makes it!

That man has really found his putting touch these last two days and the US go four up with five to play.

It looks like being two points for the US, one for Europe and who knows in the top game?

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 16)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 4 up through 14)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 4 up through 13)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 4 up through 13)

Overall: Europe 8 USA 4
16:32

Noren and Garcia are still fighting at dormie four down.

With the Americans up the back of the green and at least 60 feet away, Noren has fired a lovely approach in to 15 feet.

There's a chance, at least, that they'll get it to the 16th.

Back to the top game we go.
16:36

Very average approaches from both teams here with both coming up short of the green.

Johnson pitches up for the US and closes the face over a little, sending it six feet past. Not great.

Rose, from a much easier spot, plays a shocker! He races it 10 feet past.

It is getting nervy out here now and we could well be all square going up the last in the next few minutes.
16:39

Back to the 14th we go where DeChambeau has just missed his birdie putt for the US which leaves Molinari with a chance to beat Tiger Woods for a third time in two days and make him and Fleetwood the first European pair ever to win four matches in a row.

And he makes it!

What a sensational performance this has been from these two and that's now three matches and three losses for Woods, all at the hands of the same European pair

Europe take the first point of the afternoon foursomes!

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe 1 up through 16)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 4 up through 14)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe 4 won 5&4)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 4 up through 13)

Overall: Europe 9 USA 4
16:41

Europe take the second point of the afternoon foursomes!

It's all happening so quick and fast now and the latest point has come from the crucial top match.

Stenson, absolutely cool as ice as he always is, rolls the 10 footer for par into the hole at the 17th to huge roars.

Koepka now has to make from eight feet to send the match down the 18th and he misses right!

Can Europe be stopped?

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe won 2&1)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA 3 up through 15)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe won 5&4)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 4 up through 13)

Overall: Europe 10 USA 4
16:42

Over at the 15th Watson had seven feet for par to get the half and beat Garcia and Noren but he missed left.

That's back to three down and they go down the 16th.

In the bottom match Poulter and McIlroy are not done.

At the Par 5 14th Poulter has launched a stunning three-wood into the heart of the green to give McIlroy an eagle chance.
16:47

Noren and Garcia are not done!

Despite being dormie three down they're still fighting and, at the Par 3 16th, Noren has just stitched his tee shot to two feet!

Watson has also played a lovely shot in to 12 feet and Simpson will have that putt for the match.
16:49

USA take the third point of the afternoon foursomes!

And how vital it is.

Even after that super approach from Noren it doesn't matter because Simpson rattles in the US birdie putt and seals a 4&3 win.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe won 2&1)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA won 4&3)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe won 5&4)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA 4 up through 13)

Overall: Europe 10 USA 5
16:51

Jordan Spieth!

At the 14th McIlroy ran the European eagle putt five feet past, allowing Spieth a go at the birdie and he makes it from 12 feet!

Poulter does well to get the European birdie but that means the US are now dormie four up in that match and we look almost certain to be heading for a 10-6 European lead on Saturday night.

That's the same score that they lead at Brookline in 1999 and the same score that the USA were leading at Medinah in 2012 and we know what happened there...
16:54

So, just the one match left out on the course.

At the 15th Poulter finds the fairway and Spieth does the same. Europe need a miracle in this one and McIlroy might just have done the first part.

He's played a beauty in to about 10 feet between the water and the pin which will at least give Poulter a chance at the birdie.

But Spieth will have an even better chance at the birdie and the match. That's because Thomas has played a super mid-iron in to eight feet and that could well be the match right there the way Spieth is playing.
17:00

USA wins the final point of the afternoon foursomes!

Poulter just refuses to give up without a fight and he sinks the birdie putt to make Spieth putt his but the way this man has been on the green these first two days he was never missing.

It's right in the middle and the US seal a 4&3 win.

It's 10-6 going into the singles - both sides have equal good and bad memories of that scoreline.

Scores

Stenson & Rose v Johnson & Koepka (Europe won 2&1)

Garcia & Noren v Simpson & Watson (USA won 4&3)

Molinari & Fleetwood v Woods & DeChambeau (Europe won 5&4)

Poulter & McIlroy v Thomas & Spieth (USA won 4&3)

Overall: Europe 10 USA 6
17:06

So that's that.

Another good day for Europe but the US showed great heart in fighting back this afternoon to stay within touching distance.

There are still 12 points to play for tomorrow, Europe only lead 4.5 but it's far from over - as we saw in 1999 and 2012.

Molinari and Fleetwood are Europe's new heroes but plenty of the Americans - including Woods, Mickelson and DeChambeau - have big points to prove tomorrow.

With that I shall leave you, Philip Reid and Malachy Clerkin's disaptches from Paris will be available soon on the website and make sure to tune in again tomorrow from 9.30am for all of the final day action.

Thanks for reading, bye!