2010 Ryder Cup - US Needs Huge Rally in Singles to Retain Cup

I mentioned in yesterday's post that the US needed to be tied 8-8 going into the final single's matches. That didn't happen. Not even close. The Euros enjoy a 9 1/2 - 6 1/2 advantage after the rain plagued first four sets of play. Here's the Monday singles line-ups presented by Captains Montgomerie and Pavin....

Singles Match-ups (Europe vs. U.S.)

Lee Westwood vs. Steve Stricker
Rory McIlroy vs. Stewart Cink
Luke Donald vs. Jim Furyk
Martin Kaymer vs. Dustin Johnson
Ian Poulter vs. Matt Kuchar
Ross Fisher vs. Jeff Overton
Migeul Angel Jimenez vs. Bubba Watson
Francesco Molinari vs. Tiger Woods
Edoardo Molinari vs. Rickie Fowler
Peter Hanson vs. Phil Mickelson
Padraig Harrington vs. Zach Johnson
Graeme McDowell vs. Hunter Mahan

You see that Montgomerie has front loaded with his best players in an attempt to go for the jugular early. Arguably his best four players are in the first four matches. He hopes that the efforts of Woods and Mickelson will be moot. The way Mickelson's played it's almost a loss going in anyway. Given our traditional dominance in  singles I'd give us a shot, albeit a somewhat long one. The key are those first four pairings. Stricker, Cink, and Furyk should make a competitive showing. Whether it's enough to make the later matches worth watching remains to be seen. Can anyone say Brookline?

Til' next,