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 A series of long putts, and the occasional chip-in, disappeared
from every angle on a cold, crisp morning on the picturesque hills
and banks of Gleneagles as both teams gave a supreme exhibition of
fourball shotmaking.
Holders Europe, leading 5-3 from the opening day, were all square in
three matches and down in one.
European strongmen Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, bidding for their
third straight victory as a pair this week, were level with Bubba
Watson and Matt Kuchar in match one with each combination cramming
five birdies into the opening nine holes.
Hunter Mahan was proving the star of the show in match two, reeling
off four birdies in eight holes as he and Jim Furyk surged three up
on Lee Westwood and Jamie Donaldson.
There was another seven birdies in the third game of the day where
Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer were locked together with first-day
rookie sensations Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth.
A rejuvenated Ian Poulter also looked desperate to make amends for
his poor performance alongside debutant Stephen Gallacher on Friday.
Europe's talisman began his day with consecutive birdies at the
first and second before he and Rory McIlroy were pegged back by
Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler who were all square after seven holes
in the last match of the morning.
Among the players waiting in the wings for a call-up for the
afternoon foursomes was world number three Sergio Garcia, no doubt
still bristling about derogatory comments made by Nick Faldo on
Friday.
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Faldo, commentating on television, described Garcia as "useless"
when he captained the Spaniard in the 2008 edition at Valhalla in
Kentucky.
The former world number one quickly toned down his remarks,
acknowledging they were "harsh" and made in "tongue-in-cheek"
fashion.
Garcia's 2014 colleagues circled the wagons around the Spaniard, led
by Graeme McDowell who referred to the fact his team mate was left
out on the second day by Faldo.
"Yeah, I'd say he was fairly useless on the Saturday afternoon
because he wasn't able to play," said McDowell bluntly.
(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
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