Fleetwood/McIlroy v Thomas/Spieth

At the start of the week, Luke Donald answered a question about the ordering of the matches by stating quite simply that Europe felt strongest in foursomes. On Friday morning, that decision and the logic that underpinned it was justified as they went 4-0 for the first time in history.

Following a remarkable sequence of events in the afternoon, where Europe saved three matches on the 18th green and had effectively won the fourth in five or six holes, the USA now need to produce something they have so far looked a million miles away from. They are now 4/1 shots to retain the Ryder Cup with a 14-14 draw or by winning from 6.5-1.5 behind.

The job is not yet done for Europe but many will expect them to have extended their lead by the time this match is over. Fleetwood and McIlroy played nicely in the first session, albeit unspectacularly, and beating a previously unbeaten US duo was huge. Now they take on Thomas and Spieth and while the former's selection made headlines, Spieth's performance in fourballs rates the major concern.

I'd never write them off, though, Spieth capable of going from weekend hacker to the Golden Child very quickly and Thomas, as he showed yet again, absolutely made for this. They've something about them that demands respect and backing Fleetwood and McIlroy at 8/11 holds limited appeal, albeit touching evens with Sky Bet may be slightly generous.

I'll take them to produce another spectacular finish at the 17th hole having been given a scare, but if this US duo were to get ahead early they'd be hard to peg back. That's worth considering in-play and I'll sit and hope McIlroy can move to 3-0-0.

Verdict: Europe 3&1

Hovland/Aberg v Koepka/Scheffler

Hovland and Aberg made a fabulous start to their foursomes match on Friday and given how that session went, it's no surprise Donald has stuck to the plan – the same four pairings are sent out, with the top and bottom matches swapped around.

This looks the toughest task for Europe on paper given that Koepka and Scheffler are both giants of the game, and were robbed of their point on Friday evening when Rahm finished 3-3-3. Koepka's petulant interview afterwards was extremely amusing from a European perspective but you could well see him come out firing on Saturday morning, wounded by those events.

Foursomes does ask a question, not just of his long-game but of Scheffler's putting, however this is an upgrade for the latter who was hamstrung by Burns. With Aberg not as impressive as Hovland I would lean towards the US duo even if he might improve for that experience, though as demonstrated on day one, opposing two flushers like these in foursomes comes with major risks attached. No bet.

Verdict: USA 2&1

Lowry/Straka v Homa/Harman

The Srixon boys did really well to contribute to the 4-0 romp in the closest of the first four matches on Friday, Straka holding his nerve over a four-foot putt to finally shake off their opponents, Fowler and Morikawa, who hadn't been at their best.

Homa looked good at times during his first match but was poor in the afternoon, although as a backer in the top USA market I'm very happy to see him co-lead it with a mere half-point. More of the same all round would make for a fine Saturday.

Hope for the Americans in this match comes in two forms: Lowry and Straka do still look the weakest European pairing (and Lowry might have expended enough emotional energy on day one), while Harman can't really putt much worse. If he gets to grips with the speed of these greens then perhaps they can do better, though his lack of power is a definite negative, too.

I have no strong feeling either way.

Verdict: Match halved