Jason Dufner almost became the face of the United States potential Sunday Ryder Cup choke job. He was 4-up at the turn and looking like a sure bet to earn the USA a point, but Peter Hanson came storming back and Dufner had to hold on at 18 just to get the point with a 2-up win.
2012 Ryder Cup live scores: Jason Dufner holds off Peter Hanson 2-up, USA and Europe tied 13-13
Jason Dufner did his best to keep the Americans from an epic choke with a 2-up win that got the USA even with Europe at 13-13.
Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire
After halving the first two holes, Dufner won numbers threes, five, seven and eight to take a 4-up lead. The match seemed in the bag, but Hanson won numbers 10, 11 and 12 to cut Dufner’s lead to 1-up. All of a sudden, the match was back up for grabs.
Dufner did get a hole back and led 2-up going to 17, but the Ryder Cup rookie surrendered 17 to Hanson and needed a halve on 18 to take the full point.
Hanson almost pulled off the comeback, but he couldn’t quit finish it off. He made par on the 18th, while Hanson struggled. The European scrambled, then missed his par putt, ending the thrilling and dramatic match.
Dufner’s win got the USA even at 13-13 in the overall score. The Americans are now pinning their hopes of Steve Striker and Tiger Woods, neither of whom have won a match this weekend.
