The United States is now up 5-2 on Europe in Ryder Cup action after Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar beat Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer, 3&2, in their better-ball pairing on Friday afternoon.
The European pairing birided the par-4 first hole to take a 1-up lead thanks to a Rose putt, but then Johnson and Kuchar rallied by winning four of the next six holes. Johnson and Kuchar both hit the green on the par-3 second hole, then Johnson recorded a birdie to even things up. Kuchar then birdied on the par-4 fourth to give the Americans the lead for good. Both Americans had great birdie chances on the par-5 fifth to extend the lead to two (Kuchar sank his), and then Kuchar nailed another birdie on the par-5 seventh while Rose and Kaymer both missed their chances.
Ryder Cup 2012 live scores: Johnson/Kuchar beat Rose/Kaymer, 3&2; USA Leads, 5-2
The United States is in a strong position after Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar beat Justin Rose and Martin Kaymer 3&2 in Friday’s foursome and now lead Europe 5-2.
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After halving four straight holes, the European duo rallied with a birdie on the 12th from Rose, and the United States saw their lead cut to two. But on the par-4 15th, Kaymer hit the water and Rose’s put came up just short, and Johnson’s birdie putt went right into the hole to give the USA a 3-up lead with three holes to play. The USA clinched by halving the next hole with Europe.
