RYDER CUP LIVE: Team Europe up in THREE fourballs as they look to claw back 9-3 deficit at Whistling Straits, with USA closing in on victory after dominant foresomes display in morning
Team Europe has won eight of the last 10 Ryder Cups but its hopes of retaining the prestigious trophy hang by a thread after Team USA opened up a four-point gap on Day One at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.
The Americans won both sessions 3-1 to take a 6-2 lead on Friday, their biggest ever lead after the first day of the Ryder Cup and require just 8.5 points to win back the trophy for the first time since they triumphed at Hazeltine five years ago.
The Europeans, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to reach the 14 points they need to retain the Ryder Cup and may have to produce another stunning comeback like the one they pulled at Medinah in 2012.
Captain Padraig Harrington has reshuffled his pack, dropping Rory McIlroy for Saturday’s foursomes after the Northern Irishman lost both of his matches on Friday.
The four-time major winner will sit out for the first time in his Ryder Cup career, after playing 26 straight matches since making his debut in 2010.
Follow Sportsmail‘s ISABEL BALDWIN and DAN CANCIAN for live coverage of Day two, as Team Europe seeks to close the gap on Team USA.