2014 Ryder Cup: Day Two Four-Ball Predictions

The Americans got off to a really nice start in the morning taking 2.5 points compared to the Europeans 1.5, but things quickly changed in the afternoon as the Americans were only able to manage half a point. At the end of day one, Europe is up on the United States 5-3.

For day two, both teams have made some slight changes in the morning. So, with that, let’s get into the morning four-ball predictions for day two.

2:35 AM ET: Bubba Watson/Matt Kuchar vs Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson

Heading into the Ryder Cup, on paper, the Justin Rose/Henrik Stenson duo looked scary good and they were scary good. Rose and Stenson played 31 holes on Friday and trailed in zero of those holes. That says it all right there. Rose and Stenson put on an absolute clinic going 2-0 for the day.

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To go up against this European force it looks as though Tom Watson is just trying anything and so Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson are paired up. This seems like it will be an interesting pairing and it might work out. With what Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson bring to the table, I think they have a chance to compete with Rose and Stenson and surprise some people. However, I favor Rose & Stenson, I mean you really can’t pick against them.

Prediction: Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson 3 & 2 over, Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar

2:50 AM ET: Jim Furyk/Hunter Mahan vs Jamie Donaldson/Lee Westwood

Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood were a great match in the afternoon and they’ll look to keep that momentum rolling on into Saturday morning. They looked great and on paper this looks like another European blowout, but I think it maybe closer than expected.

Jim Furyk doesn’t have the best Ryder Cup record and an even worse four-ball record (1-8-1), but Furyk played well Thursday afternoon, he and his playing partner Matt Kuchar just didn’t get that point. I think this will be a scrappy, back-and-forth match that will come down to the 18th hole.

Prediction: Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood 1 up over, Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan

3:05 AM ET: Patrick Reed/Jordan Spieth vs Thomas Bjorn/Martin Kaymer

There has been controversy surrounding Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth before the Ryder Cup and after day one of the Ryder Cup. Before the Ryder Cup, a lot of people were skeptical of two rookies being paired together, but Reed and Spieth acquitted themselves very well blowing out Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher 5 & 4.

Sep 26, 2014; Auchterarder, Perthshire, SCT; USA golfer Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed walk together after teeing off on the first hole during the first round for the 2014 Ryder Cup at The Gleneagles Hotel-PGA Centenary Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

After the blowout, it looked as though Reed and Spieth were a no-brainer to go out and play in the afternoon, but Tom Watson took a different approach. He decided to sit the two youngest golfers after only playing 14 holes – and most of those holes were relatively stress-free. However, Tom Watson decided to sit Reed and Spieth and everybody scratched their head as to why that happened.

As the saying goes, it is what it is and Reed and Spieth will be paired up once again in the morning and be able to take out their frustration on Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer.

Prediction: Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth 3 & 2 over, Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer

3:20 AM ET: Jimmy Walker/Rickie Fowler vs Rory McIlroy/Ian Poulter

Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler showed just how tough they are yesterday. Walker and Fowler went up against Martin Kaymer and Thomas Bjorn in the morning. The American duo were down right away as Kaymer and Bjorn were on point, but J-Walk and Fowler just continued to chip away, eventually they ended up stealing half a point.

Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter are going to have their hands full. McIlroy struggled mightily off the tee. He and Sergio Garcia, two of the best ball-strikers, only hit three fairways in their morning match.

McIlroy will need to figure it out with his new driver (or just go back to his old driver) while Ian Poulter’s entire game is off. Perhaps though being paired with McIlroy will help him mentally as he won’t feel the need to carry the team. It may take some pressure off Poulter and maybe he’ll play better, but nevertheless, I think J-Walk and Fowler win.

Prediction: Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler 4 & 3 over, Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter

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