United States struggling to make inroads in Ryder Cup singles

The United States failed to find the flying start they wanted on the final day of the 42nd Ryder Cup at Le Golf National.

Europe’s 10-6 lead meant they needed just four-and-a-half points from the 12 singles matches for a ninth win in the last 12 contests.

But overturning such a deficit has been achieved twice before, with US captain Jim Furyk part of the team which came back from 10-6 down to win at Brookline in 1999, but also losing a crucial match at Medinah in 2012 when Europe did the same.

With all 12 matches out on the course, Europe led in five, trailed in two and were all square in the remaining five.

Rory McIlroy was sent out in the opening singles match for the second contest in succession and was up against one of the USA’s best players, Justin Thomas,  having won three of his four matches in Paris alongside good friend Jordan Spieth.

McIlroy recovered from losing the first hole to move two up, but was pegged back to all square when Thomas birdied the eighth and 10th and the American chipped in for par on the 12th to remain level.

Paul Casey got off to a nightmare start in match two when his approach to the first plugged in a greenside bunker and he hit his third into the water, but the Englishman battled back to all square against three-time major winner Brooks Koepka at the turn.

Biggest surprise of the day so far was Justin Rose falling three down to Webb Simpson after eight holes, with Tommy Fleetwood’s perfect record also in jeopardy as he trailed Tony Finau by the same margin after seven.

There was better news elsewhere as Jon Rahm was two up on Tiger Woods and Thorbjorn Olesen led Spieth by the same margin, with Francesco Molinari also two up on Phil Mickelson, who had been benched on Saturday after a record 21st defeat on Friday.