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The plan has worked nearly to perfection for U.S. captain Steve Stricker in the Ryder Cup.

Much of that is thanks to Dustin Johnson.

The combination of Johnson and Collin Morikawa has proved huge for the United States as it moved closer to securing the Ryder Cup on Saturday at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wis.



Johnson and Morikawa won twice — in foursomes and four-ball — as the U.S. team holds an 11-5 advantage over the Europeans through two days. That’s the biggest lead for the Americans in Ryder Cup play since 1975.

“Message to the guys was just to come out fresh, pretend (Friday) never happened and let’s put our foot down and do the same like we did (on Day 1),” Stricker said.

The U.S. needs 14 1/2 points to reclaim the Cup. Singles matches will be contested Sunday to complete the competition.

The Europeans had their best session to wrap up Saturday’s play by splitting four afternoon matches, keeping suspense.

D.J. Leading Charge

Johnson and Morikawa secured a 4 and 3 victory vs. Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy in the afternoon. They also won an alternate-shot match Friday, so they’ve accounted for three points. Johnson is 4-0 this week.

“You’ve got to come out and get off to a good start,” Johnson said. “We’re just trying to win each session and keep that lead.”

Saturday’s sessions concluded with Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau of the U.S. rallying by winning four straight holes on the backside for the 3 and 1 triumph against Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland.

Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth rallied from three down to tie on the 13th hole only to have Europeans Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia go back ahead two holes later and then extend the margin on the 16th in the eventual 2 and 1 result.

After winning twice Saturday, Garcia now has the most victories in the history of the Ryder Cup with 25.

“It drives me on those moments when I need to do something extraordinary to get going and I’ve been fortunate to do it for many years and I’m so proud to be a part of Team Europe,” said Garcia, who’s 24th victory passed European Nick Faldo atop the win list.



Europe’s Shane Lowry and Tyrrell Hatton topped Tony Finau and Harris English by 1-up.

“We need more wins and unfortunately we are not getting them,” Garcia said.

The U.S. stretched its lead to 9-3 through morning foursomes, winning three of those four matches. The only stumble came when Rahm, who has been stellar for the Europeans, and Garcia knocked off Koepka and Daniel Berger 3 and 1.

Friends Rally For Key Point

The big boost for the Americans came from Justin Thomas and Spieth, who trailed by three after six holes. They won four of the last five holes, capped by a par on No. 18, where the Europeans recorded a bogey, in the duo’s 2-up victory.

“Luckily it was only through six holes, and I knew if we played the last 12-under par that we would have a chance in this wind,” Spieth said. “I think we did that just barely.”



Thomas and Spieth had been begging Stricker to play together during the Ryder Cup, so they were glad it panned out.

“We just have a lot of confidence in each other,” Thomas said. “We know each other’s games which means a lot in terms of asking questions and what not.”

The other two morning matches ended after 17 holes in 2 and 1 results. Johnson and Morikawa defeated Paul Casey and Hatton, while Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay took down Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick.

McIlroy didn’t play in the morning session and then had a rough go of it in the afternoon.

“We are a strong team, a very balanced team,” European captain Padraig Harrington said. “We know we need a big performance with him in the singles tomorrow. Yeah, he needs to rest like everybody else.”

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)