Dell Technologies Match Play, second round: Leaderboard, tee times, TV schedule

GUYANCOURT, France — Europe won six of the final seven matches in Sunday’s Singles to reclaim the Ryder Cup, beating the U.S. 17.5 to 10.5 in a dominating performance at Le Golf National. It’s the sixth consecutive Ryder Cup on home soil that Europe has won; the last time the U.S. has won in Europe is 1993. Francesco Molinari completed the best week ever by a European player, remaining undefeated as he beat Phil Mickelson 4 and 2. BEST MATCH Both Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy expected that their opening match in Singles would be a key one, setting the tone for the rest of the day. Certainly it was a tight one, with neither player going more than 2-up. And it was riveting, as the match reached the 18th hole. But as it turned it, it did not impact the outcome, as Thomas’ 1-up win was one of just four on the day for the Americans. Still, it had plenty of interesting moments, particularly at the final hole. With the match all square, Thomas found the fairway off the tee while McIlroy found a half-buried lie near the lip of the fairway bunker. He tried to punch out sideways to the fairway, but his ball dribbled back into the bunker. Then on his third shot, his ball came out low, clipped the lip, and ran into the water on the other side. Once Thomas safely found the green with his approach, McIlroy conceded the hole and the match. Don’t expect it to be the last time these two players face each other in a Ryder Cup match. BEST AMERICANS The U.S. had four winners on Sunday – Thomas, Webb Simpson, Tony Finau and Patrick Reed. Thomas had to knock off McIlroy and Simpson beat Justin Rose, the recent world No. 1. But the most impressive American performance was from Finau. The Ryder Cup rookie put together six birdies and won nine holes in a bogey-free round to throttle previously unbeaten Tommy Fleetwood 5 and 4 in the fifth match of the day. “I played incredible golf today. I was controlling the ball nicely and made some putts. It was a really hard time for Tommy to get in the match,â€� Finau said. BEST EUROPEANS The Europeans had seven winners on Sunday. Jon Rahm had the thrill of a lifetime, knocking off Tiger Woods 2 and 1. Ian Poulter remained undefeated in Ryder Cup singles, beating world No. 1 Dustin Johnson 2 up by winning four of the last six holes. But the most impressive performance was by Ryder Cup rookie Thorbjorn Olesen. He sat out both sessions on Saturday but had a key victory over Jordan Spieth in the seventh match, winning 5 and 4 in a match that was vital to slow the early U.S. momentum. Olesen made five birdies and never trailed for the last 11 holes to beat Spieth, who had won three points in the team session. “I played great on the front nine,â€� Olesen said. “Holed some really, really good putts and the crowd were mental. It’s been so much fun.â€� BEST STAT Sergio Garcia became the most successful Ryder Cup player in history with 25.5 points ahead of previous record holder Sir Nick Faldo (25). Jordan Spieth is now 0-3 in Ryder Cup singles and 0-3 in Presidents Cup singles. ROOKIE REVIEW USA Bryson DeChambeau (0-3-0) – Despite fighting all the way to the final hole well after the Ryder Cup had been decided and throwing a dart on 18 DeChambeau was left without a point after Alex Noren drained a huge putt for a 1-up win. Justin Thomas (4-1-0) – The MVP of the American team. Thomas was a rookie in name only as he showed he could be the man to build a team around for the next decade and some. Took down Rory McIlroy 1-up in the opening singles match. Tony Finau (2-1-0) – Justified his selection as a captain’s pick with two earned points … the only two earned from all four of team USA’s picks. Finau gave Tommy Fleetwood a 6 and 4 thrashing in singles which was pretty incredible after the first two days of dominance for the Englishman.  EUROPE Tommy Fleetwood (4-1-0) – A stud on debut in the Ryder Cup despite being hammered 6 and 4 by Tony Finau in singles. Prior to that he teamed with Francesco Molinari to become just the second pairing ever to go 4-0 in a single Ryder Cup and the first ever Europeans to do so. Takes the record for most points earned by a European rookie in Ryder Cup history. Alex Noren (2-1-0) – Put some impressive icing on the cake but making a long-range birdie putt on the 18th in the anchor match to win 1-up over Bryson DeChambeau. His accuracy was huge throughout the week. Tyrrell Hatton (1-2-0) – Was unable to keep Patrick Reed from securing a point – going down 3 and 2 in singles.  Thorbjorn Olesen (1-1-0) – After being benched all day Saturday Olesen showed he certainly wasn’t sulking as he made short work of Jordan Spieth in Sunday’s singles. Took care of Spieth 5 and 4 to ensure he added his first Ryder Cup point to his personal tally. Jon Rahm (1-2-0) – Provided one of the biggest highlights of his short career with a singles win over Tiger Woods. Rahm ensured every single European player contributed at least a point with a famous 2 and 1 win. 

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After a nine-year hiatus, one of the most loyal and passionate fan bases in all of sports is back in the mix in a big way. The PGA TOUR has returned to Michigan. The inaugural Rocket Mortgage Classic will be contested at Detroit Golf Club. It’s just seven miles from downtown and within the city limits. It’s the first time since Tiger Woods concluded the decades-long run of the Buick Open with his third victory in that tournament in 2009. A field of 156 has assembled in Motown this week. Scroll past the projected contenders for details on the classic Donald Ross design that serves as host, what should define the first champion of the event and more. Zack Sucher, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Billy Horschel will be among the notables reviewed in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider. After five years as the title sponsor of the Quicken Loans National held in the Mid-Atlantic, the mortgage lender has partnered with Detroit GC for four years and rebranded its event as the Rocket Mortgage Classic. While it’s a first-time event, it’s of value to note that the arrangement includes a transition from an invitational to an open. Competitive course and tournament records also will be established this week. Detroit GC consists of two courses – the North and the South. The setup for the RMC is a stock par-72 composite that includes 17 holes from the North. The par-4 third hole is the exception. It plays at No. 1 on the South for members. The par-5 fourth hole for the tournament can tip at 635 yards. That’s equal to the second-longest hole on the TOUR. Only the 663-yard finisher at Kapalua is longer, but that’s played downhill and on the side of a mountain. Ross’ creation is just over 100 years old and it’s been renovated numerous times since he applied his seal of approval, but the only modifications made for the PGA TOUR affect overall length. With six new tee boxes, it can stretch to 7,340 yards. The relatively tricky Poa greens will defend scoring similarly to TPC River Highlands last week. Likewise, they’re readied to run up to 12 feet on the Stimpmeter and they’re guarded by primary rough trimmed at four inches, so hitting greens in regulation is a priority as it will be challenging to hold slick surfaces from the thickest grass. Trees frame sightlines tee to green and one-and-one-quarter-inch rough serves as the nearest sideboards for wayward drives. Four of the 10 par 4s tip at fewer than 400 yards, and with four par 5s, those in attendance will be cheering early and often for par breakers. When greens are unfamiliar as they are this week, good ball-strikers who profile as average putters tend to emerge as probable contenders. This angle is supported by putting surfaces that average only 5,150 square feet. To maximize the spectator experience, the course opens in the middle of the back nine. This isn’t unusual on a composite course for a new event, but the would-be champion will want to plan on having at least a one-stroke lead upon arrival at the 18th tee. At 455 yards, it’s one of the longest par 4s on the property on which par will be a good score. Wasting no time in joining the party, the RMC is included in The Open Qualifying Series. The top two, not otherwise exempt into The Open, inside the top eight at Detroit GC will earn tee times at Royal Portrush. Mother Nature may have an impact on the launch. After a warm but dry opening round, the threat for inclement weather sits and stays in the forecast for the remainder. It’ll remain muggy throughout with daytime highs climbing into the 80s. Wind will not be a factor. ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done, Champions One & Done * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesdays.

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