Golf

Ryder Cup 2014 TV schedule: Coverage and start time for Sunday’s singles matches

The Ryder Cup wraps up from Gleneagles on Sunday morning and while play will still begin early in the United States, viewers won’t have to set their alarm clocks for quite so early.

by Mark Sandritter

Sep 28, 2014, 8:30 AM UTC

David Cannon

The Europeans are one day away from winning their third straight Ryder Cup and it would require a massive comeback from the Americans to prevent that from happening. Europe leads 10-6 heading into the final day and needs just 14 points to retain the trophy. They will do it barring a significant comeback from the Americans, but it is possible as the 10-6 deficit is the same margin Europe rallied from to win the 2012 Ryder Cup.

In order to pull it off, the Americans will need to find considerable success in the singles matches, likely needing at least seven wins to have a chance. American captain Tom Watson opted to go with youth to begin the day as Jordan Spieth will be the first to tee it up for the United States with fellow Ryder Cup rookie Patrick Reed following him in the order. While the two may lack experience, that hasn’t been an issue thus far. Reed and Spieth have played well, winning 2.5 of the American’s six points. And they did it in three matches with Watson opting to sit the duo in the afternoon on Friday. If they continue to play well and grab two points early, the United States may at least be able to threaten the European side.

Graeme McDowell will lead things off for the Europeans, followed by Henrik Stenson vs. Reed. The Europeans will then play two of their better players with Rory McIlroy vs. Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose vs. Hunter Mahan. McIlroy and Fowler have history in international competitions dating way back to the 2007 Walker Cup. Some seven years later they will once again be going head-to-head, this time with the biggest international prize in golf on the line. The United States will turn to its veterans in the middle of the day with Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar and Jim Furyk anchoring things. Ian Poulter, historically a United States killer in the Ryder Cup, will play in the ninth match the day, going against Web Simpson.

Jamie Donaldson vs. Keegan Bradley, Lee Westwood vs. Jimmy Walker and Victor Dubuisson vs. Zach Johnson will round out the final matches of Day 3. If by chance the Americans narrow the gap and stay alive, the comeback attempt could come down to Johnson who will play in the final match. Johnson’s pairing was unable to net any points in the two matches he’s played thus far. He’s been a solid singles player during his career, winning two of his three Ryder Cup singles matches.

Viewers in the United States will still need to wake up early if they are going to watch the entire final day, but not as early as they had to during the first two days. Spieth and McDowell are scheduled to tee off at 6:36 a.m. ET with television coverage set to begin at 7 a.m. on NBC. Live coverage will run on NBC until at least 1 p.m. Golf Channel will provide supplemental “alternate shot” coverage from 7 to 11:30 a.m.

There will be multiple streaming options for viewers trying to watch online. NBC Sports LiveExtra will provide a live simulcast stream. There will also be live coverage on the Ryder Cup app on Apple and Android devices. PGA Tour Radio will be on the air at 5:30 a.m. and the broadcast will continue through the Sunday singles session.

Here is a complete look at the final day television coverage and streaming options.