The Japan Times - Dominant Europe on the brink of historic Ryder Cup triumph

The Europeans seized the largest lead in Ryder Cup history entering the singles at 11.5-4.5 by going 3-1 in both Saturday pairs sessions despite an over-the-top crowd and hecklers forcing extra police around Europe talisman Rory McIlroy.

And Norway's Viktor Hovland withdrew from singles on Sunday morning due to a neck injury, leaving his planned match against Harris English declared a draw and moving the team score to 12-5.

That means Europe need only two wins from the 11 remaining singles matches to retain the trophy and achieve the first road triumph in the biennial rivalry since their 2012 "Miracle at Medinah".

"It would be a massive victory for the European team," said England's Justin Rose, who teed off against Cameron Young in the singles opener.

The Americans, however, need the greatest last-day comeback in Cup history to reclaim the trophy. It would take another nine wins and a draw and no team has managed more than 8.5 points from singles.

A European triumph would be their 11th in the past 15 Cup showdowns and their fourth on the road in that span.

Americans lead the all-time rivalry 27-15-2 but Europe lead 12-9-1 since the roster was expanded beyond Britain and Ireland in 1979.

McIlroy, who made obscene remarks to hecklers as they yelled while he tried to putt, shook off ugly scenes to spark Europe.

Unbeaten world number two McIlroy, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning April's Masters, faces top-ranked but winless Scottie Scheffler in the feature fourth singles match.

Scheffler, whose six wins this year include the British Open and PGA Championship, is the first American to start 0-4 and has been a symbol for a US squad with 12 of the world's 23 top-ranked players that has been humbled by the visitors, who boast nine of the top 25 on their roster.

It was only four years ago that the US team inflicted the most lopsided rout in Cup history on Europe, winning 19-9 at Whistling Straits.

"It fueled a lot of us," Hovland said of the memories.

Europe captain Luke Donald, who guided Europe's 2023 win at Rome, could become the first captain to win back-to-back Cups since English countryman Tony Jacklin in 1987.

England's Tommy Fleetwood, 4-0 this week, faces Justin Thomas in the second match out.

Fleetwood, who also went 4-0 in pairs matches in 2018, is trying to become the first European to go 5-0 on the road, five Cup road wins only managed by American Tony Lima in 1965.

S.Ogawa--JT