The question that had many onlookers shaking their heads prior to the afternoon four-ball session was why U.S. captain Davis Love III put Phil Mickelson in while leaving Brandt Snedeker on the bench.
To this point, Mickelson had been shaky at best, going 1-1 including a 4&2 loss Saturday morning. Snedeker, meanwhile, had been perfect, winning both his matches easily (5&4 Friday afternoon, 3&2 Saturday morning).
And what did Phil do?
Poured in five birdies to Kuchar’s four in a 2&1 victory that was absolutely huge for the American side.
While the U.S. held a 1-point lead heading into the afternoon session, it certainly felt like it were behind, having surrendered an early 4-0 lead and losing ground in each of the last two sessions. With Rory McIlroy draining everything this side of Steph Curry and Patrick Reed and Jordan Spieth struggling to put anything away, the Mickelson/Kuchar pairing emerged as a must-win for the Americans as the afternoon wore on.
Give Love credit for the call. And give Mickelson credit for answering the call.
The U.S. wound up winning three of the four afternoon matches. Heading to Sunday’s singles play, the U.S. holds a 9½-6½ lead. To win the Cup for the first time in eight years, the American squad needs 14½ points.