MEDINAH (USA): Ian Poulter, eyes burning like a man possessed, ran off five birdies in a row to give Europe victory in the final fourball match and keep alive hopes of a Ryder Cup miracle at Medinah.
Poulter completed his sensational finish with a 15-foot putt that gave him and Rory McIlroy a one up win over Americans Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner to send the Europeans to the final day 10-6 behind after they trailed by six points late on Saturday.
The Americans dominated early and threatened to turn the event into a rout before the fight back that ended in twilight made it a four-point deficit, matching the record margin overcome by the US team 13 years ago at Brookline.
“We needed to get something going,” said captain’s pick Poulter, who always seems to play his best in the cauldron of Ryder Cup pressure. “We had to make birdies and wow, five in a row. It was awesome.”
“Incredible, incredible,” said McIlroy, who began a six-birdie barrage for the team with his hole-winning putt at the 13th.
Poulter, who won his two foursomes partnerships with compatriot Justin Rose, improved to 3-0 at Medinah and to 11-3-0 overall in the Ryder Cup.
“When Poults gets that look in his eyes, especially the week of the Ryder Cup, it’s really impressive,” said McIlroy. (Reuters)