Reed v McIlroy 2016 Ryder Cup

Heading into the final day of 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National GC the home USA team had a 3 point lead over Europe.

US Captain Davis Love III sent out his talisman Patrick Reed first in the final day singles to play Europe’s number one, Rory McIlory. What transpired was one of the greatest singles matches in Ryder Cup history, culminating in a memorable Match Play Moment® at the 8th.

Reed got the crowd going with a long par putt at the first to halve the hole, before Rory did take the lead with a birdie at the 3rd after hitting the flag with his second. Rory birdied the short par-4 5th, but lost the hole to Reed who drove the green to 10 feet and holed the putt for eagle.

This is when the game ramped up the volume as the 6th and 7th holes were both halved in birdie to see the match remain all square as the mounted the par-3 8th tee.

The flag was on the raised back half of the green where Reed hit his tee shot, whilst Rory was a fraction short and rolled back the front of the lower level. From there he produced a moment of magic to hole his 60 foot putt for a 2 to silence the crowd. 

Reed was not to be outdone and followed him in from 20 feet for a tying birdie with a ‘not today’ wag of the finger to send the home crowd berserk.

Both players left the green with fist bumps and a pat on each other’s back as recognition of their opponent. The magic continued through the round, but the two putts at the 8th and the players’ reactions have gone down in Ryder Cup history as a classic Match Play Moment®. 

To find out how the match finished, check out the video below.

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