GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy (AP) — Europe has history on its side as the Sunday singles matches begin in the Ryder Cup. No team has ever lost a five-point lead on the final day. Europe needs to win only four points from 12 matches to regain the Ryder Cup.
The first match is compelling enough — Scottie Scheffler against Jon Rahm.
Not only have they traded places as No. 1 in the world this year, this is a rematch from two years ago at Whistling Straits. Scheffler birdied the opening four holes in a 4-and-3 victory.
Scheffler is No. 1 in the world. The last No. 1 player to lose in singles was Rahm two years ago.
Also worth watching is Patrick Cantlay against Justin Rose. The European crowd has targeted Cantlay for not wearing a cap amid an unsubstantiated report that it's a form of protest for not being paid. Cantlay said there's no truth to that and simply the hat isn't a good fit for him.
Cantlay had the last word Saturday night. He birdied the last three holes to at least give the Americans some hope, and maybe some momentum. But it's a tall hill to climb.
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