Ryder Cup -- End of Day 2

This day has ended on kind of an odd note. The Americans hold an unexpected 6-4 lead, but the Euros currently lead in all six of the matches that were stopped because of darkness:

Alternate Shot:

4 UP Donald/Westwood (EUR) v. Woods/Stricker (USA) through 9

3 UP McDowell/McIlroy (EUR) v. Z. Johnson/Mahan (USA) through 7

Best-Ball:

1 UP Harrington/Fisher (EUR) v. Furyk/D. Johnson (USA) through 8

2 UP Hanson/Jimenez (EUR) v. Watson/Overton (USA) through 6

1 UP E. Molinari/F. Molinari (EUR) v. Cink/Kuchar through 5

2 UP Poulter/Kaymer (EUR) v. Mickelson/Fowler through 4

Now, to be honest, I think at least three of these matches are hopeless from a U.S. perspective. Tiger and Stricker are never going to make up 4 holes on the back nine, and McDowell/McIlroy are far too strong for Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan. Mickelson and Fowler are both eccentric players who never should have been paired together, and they will be drilled by Poulter and Kaymer.

So, for all intents and purposes, the Europeans lead 7-6, and they also lead in the remaining three matches. It seems extremely unlikely that the United States can win the singles by more than one or two points at the most; so we will be dead if we go into the singles down 10-6 or even 9 1/2 - 6 1/2. Somehow we need to get at least a point out of those last three matches tomorrow morning -- and to be honest, we probably need at least two points. The U.S. team has played over its head so far, but I'm afraid they are now in big, big trouble.

On the other hand, I think the stoppage in play was probably good for our guys. They are undoubtedly very tired, and maybe the rest will do them some good.