Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy humbled at Ryder Cup as Team USA storm into early lead after shocking start for Europe talismen
Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy suffered a terrible start to this year's Ryder Cup with a heavy defeat to Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele.
Sent out last as one of Europe's strongest pairings, the two Brits traditionally deliver the goods when put together in this format.
However, McIlroy and Poulter faced total humiliation at one point on Friday morning, losing all of their opening five holes.
Experience and talent deserted the pair as Cantlay and Schauffele, two of the game's most in-form players, turned the screw for USA.
They threatened to finish the match embarrassingly early, with the European team struggling to make anything on the greens.
However, McIlroy and Poulter showed character to raise slim hopes of a comeback, pulling it back to three down with seven to play.
The Americans refused to let up, though, and closed out the match with back-to-back wins on 15 and 16.
It helped USA into a 3-1 lead after the morning session, with Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia claiming the visitors' only point by beating Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson overcame Paul Casey and Viktor Hovland, while Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick were defeated by Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger.
McIlroy hasn't missed a single session for Europe since 2010 - and captain Padraig Harrington kept faith in his star man by sending him out with Shane Lowry for the afternoon four-balls.