Ryder Cup comes down to final matches, Americans try to pull off best road comeback ever

Americans try to rally in thrilling Ryder Cup

NEWPORT, Wales — The Ryder Cup has come down to the final match thanks to some clutch putting by 21-year-old Rickie Fowler.

The youngest American won the final three holes Monday against Europe’s Edoardo Molinari to halve their match, winning the 17th hole with a 15-foot birdie and the 18th with an 18-footer.

Phil Mickelson knocked off Peter Hanson and Zach Johnson defeated Padraig Harrington, evening the score at 13½ with only one match on the course: Graeme McDowell vs. Hunter Mahan.

McDowell is 1 up with three holes left and must win for Europe to claim the cup. If Mahan can pull out a half-point, the U.S. will improbably take the trophy back home with a 14-14 tie.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEWPORT, Wales (AP) — Tiger Woods has kept up his strong singles play at the Ryder Cup, beating Francesco Molinari 4 and 3 to give the United States a sliver of hope to keep the trophy.

Coming off the worst Ryder Cup loss of his career in alternate shot, Woods played some of his best golf of the year to wipe out an early two-hole deficit Monday. He holed out an eagle from the fairway at No. 12 and played the 15 holes at 9 under.

Woods win closed the gap to 13-11, with two more points seemingly assured from Zach Johnson and Phil Mickelson. But Francesco’s brother, Edoardo Molinari, was assured of at least a half-point against Rickie Fowler, so the Americans will likely need a win from Hunter Mahan in the final match to keep the cup.

Graeme McDowell had a 2-up lead on Mahan with five to play.