The Americans have been on both ends of the Ryder Cup comeback tale.
The U.S. Team rallied from a 10-6 deficit on Sunday in the 1999 Ryder Cup at The Country Club in Brookline. It also fumbled a 10-6 lead in 2012, known as the "Miracle at Medinah." Down by four points, both comebacks are considered the most memorable in Ryder Cup history.
But if the Americans plan to miraculously emerge victorious this year in Rome, they'll have to top those efforts, as they trail 10½-5½ heading into Sunday's singles matches.
“We've got 12 guys; we've got 12 points,” U.S. Captain Zach Johnson said Saturday. “I believe every 12 — every guy on my team can win a point.”
In 1999, the Americans' rallying cry was sparked by captain Ben Crenshaw pointing to the media during his presser on Saturday night and saying, "I'm a big believer in fate. I have a feeling about this."
Twenty-four years later, the feeling around this American team was drastically different heading into Sunday — until the closing hole of the final four-ball match: Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark vs. Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Entering Saturday afternoon down 9½-2½, the U.S. started to claw back by capturing two of the first three four-ball matches. However, it appeared McIlroy and Fitzpatrick were going to halt the U.S. Team's momentum. But Cantlay birdied Nos. 16 and 17 to send the match to the par-5 last all square. Then, after failing to chip in with his third shot, Cantlay canned a 20-footer for birdie, giving the U.S. a full point and changing the feeling entering the final day.
"We finally have a moment we can celebrate a little," Cantlay said afterward, "and we're going to take that opportunity and try can turn it into some momentum for tomorrow."
The Europeans, of course, are still very much in the driver's seat, with the U.S. needing to win 8½ of the 12 singles points to retain the cup. That has only been four times in Ryder Cup history.
But now, the memories from Medinah are starting to flash. That year, Ryder Cup stalwart Ian Poulter rattled off five consecutive birdies to close the final four-ball match with a win, sending a jolt of energy through the European team that eventually helped them to a rousing victory.
European captain Luke Donald was a part of that squad. However, he doesn't believe he and his team will experience the flip side of the coin on Sunday.
"Certainly they grabbed some momentum at the end," Donald said. "I'm not going to say they didn't. Certainly what Patrick did, holing those putts was impressive ... that will give their team some hope, I suppose.
"But again, we are five points up. We are in a great position. I've watched these guys over the last couple days compete with heart, with unity. They are all playing pretty good golf, to be honest. I really like our chances."
Battle of Brookline.
Miracle at Medinah.
Redemption in Rome?
It will be extremely difficult to bring the third title to fruition — especially in Europe, where the U.S. hasn't won since 1993.
The majority of the first two days alluded to Europe claiming its 10th win in the last 14 Ryder Cups. But Cantlay gave the Americans a glimmer of hope they hadn't felt in nearly 48 hours. And they hope to ride that momentum to the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.
"We needed something to go our way," Max Homa said. "I felt like we were ready this morning. We were ready to come out and play some great golf, which we did. Somebody had to start a spark, so I'm just glad it was us. We obviously are in a big hole, but we have the right guys to dig ourselves out of it."
