Getty Images American golf player Jordan Spieth in action.
SAINT-YVELINES-EN-QUENTIN, France—The 12 players that the U.S. took to France for the Ryder Cup represented its best hope for winning here in a quarter-century. But the heavily favored Americans aren’t just playing worse than expected. They are in danger of being routed.
After Europe finished Friday by winning five points in a row, it started Saturday morning by winning the first three and led, 8-4, heading into the afternoon session. Only a win by Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas over Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm, 2&1, prevented Europe from sweeping all four matches for the second session in a row.
The first team to 14 1/2 points wins, though as the defending champion, the U.S. would retain the trophy in the event of a tie. The U.S. hasn’t won a Ryder Cup in Europe since 1993.
On a cold, windy morning in a suburb of Paris, the U.S. began the day with some ragged golf. Balls found the rough, balls found the water and a few of them even found fairways. Some makable birdie putts didn’t drop. When the U.S. played well, Europe played better.
An expanded version of this report appears at WSJ.com
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