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What they said: Spanish hoping to inspire another European Ryder Cup renaissance

Europe is facing an uphill task, heading into the singles at the 2021 Ryder Cup with a six point deficit, but Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm believe they can turn it around.

If it weren't for Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia the 2021 Ryder Cup would already be done and dusted; America would need to do little more than trip up over the finish line.

Team USA leads Europe 11-5 heading into the Sunday singles at Whistling Straits and three of those visiting team points have been contributed by the Spanish duo.
They won a foursomes match on Friday morning and, when reunited on Saturday, they completed a pair of victories that provides a beleaguered European team with a smidgeon of final day hope.

The visitors have had a bleak week so far, struggling with the American galleries, the Pete Dye designed golf course, and a complete absence of form on the greens (and often not much more of it from tee to green).

Shane Lowry has been a firebrand, but otherwise the Spaniards have been a complete contrast to their team-mates - laughing and joking their way around the course, making birdies and winning holes at the same time.

Garcia, as he tends to when wearing the blue and yellow of Europe, is having the time of his life.
"This afternoon Jon was unbelievable," he said after they defeated Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth 2&1 in the fourballs. "I was No. 1 spectator watching a great guy do great thing after great thing after great thing. It was awesome to be a part of.
"I was so happy. I was just trying to keep up with him and make sure he kept heading in the right direction.
"We have a big task tomorrow, but hopefully we can make history. Everybody knows one thing: we will fight out there until the end. We are not going to give up, that's for sure.
"You know, I love these guys. They are freaking amazing. Every time I think of them, I want to cry. They are unbelievable.
"I will give my all to them and I know they will do the same thing for me. We are going to try our hardest. We know it's going to be difficult, but we're going to do our best."
As Garcia became emotional, Rahm - who thanked karma for his US Open victory in June - returned to notions of golfing spirituality.
"From what I hear, the team is playing good," he said. "Just putts not dropping in and a couple things here and there that just could have happen but haven't happened.
"I'd like to believe that things even out." he added. "So tomorrow, if we get off to a good start, kind of like what happened in 2012 at Medinah. Things start going our way, you never know, you never know."
He was warming to his theme.
"Golf is a very complicated and ironic and sarcastic game sometimes," he said. "Teams can be capable of some great things, like the US has done so far the last two days.
"It could be our chance now and I know everybody on the team is going to give it their all and give that a run."
It's a tough task. Let's see what the other players and the captains had to say ahead of the singles.

Padraig Harrington is hoping for deja vu

"Six points is a tough one to make up. But, at the end of the day, it's only half a point more than we won in the singles at Medinah. They have to just go out there and win their own individual match. There's nothing more they can do than that. They have to focus on that and not look at that bigger picture. There's no doubt that Medinah's going to be very strong on our minds and Brookline, too. I know that was a four-point gap. These things can be done."

Steve Stricker is thrilled by his team

"I love the way the guys are playing, and the energy that they are bringing on a regular, daily basis. We've said it from the start, how loose and connected they have been with each other. It's showing. They're playing great. I just feel so good about all 12 of my guys.

Stricker on the M word

"No, I'm not going to bring up Medinah. I just said that we've got another day. It's not over yet. Let's not rest on what we've done these first couple of days and don't be content with where we're at. We want to win the session again tomorrow. These guys are still very focused. I think they have learned from our past mistakes. They know. They have watched."

Ian Poulter is low

"We're not in a good position and it's going to take a beyond monumental effort. We need a couple of miracles."

Rory McIlroy is lower

"Obviously disappointing not to contribute a point for the team yet. So hopefully just go out tomorrow and try my best to get a point, hopefully we can rally and give them something to maybe sweat about."

Justin Thomas likes his team-mates

"Keep doing what we're doing. Everyone is playing great golf. Man, it was fun to watch this afternoon. I was nervous just watching them. But all of us have the faith in Captain Stricker to send the line-up out however he wishes, and honestly I'm just going to do whatever Xander does because he's pretty good at golf."

Collin Morikawa is enjoying cheer definition

"There's a little nerves but I've loved every part of it. You've got to embrace it. I've got 11 great teammates and they just make the week a lot easier. I love that you can definitely tell a US cheer versus a European cheer. We love it. We really do."

Xander Schauffele isn't getting carried away

"You're too far ahead of me. We're celebrating the moment now. We're celebrating the 2-2 this afternoon. You can tell how big of a deal this is for us and I don't think any of us are getting too far ahead of ourselves. It's 12 points for grabs tomorrow."

Bryson DeChambeau trying not to put his foot in it when big upping his team

"We have the best players in the world and they have got a lot of the best players in the world, too, but I would say from the standpoint of average ranking, I think we're pretty solid and we just have to play our game tomorrow."

Dustin Johnson being Dustin Johnson

"Absolutely. Golf course suits me a little bit better here than Paris for sure."

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