Paul McGinley: there will be no ‘Miracle at Gleneagles’

European captain Paul McGinley is determined to ensure Europe aren’t on the receiving end of another miraculous Ryder Cup comeback after another thrilling day and dominant European foursomes display at Gleneagles.

McGinley spoke at length about avoiding complacency after his side roared into a 10-6 lead going into the Sunday singles.

“Complacency is a massive, massive word,” McGinley said. “You know, we have a very strong team here. We’re playing at home. We have won seven of the last nine Ryder Cups. It’s easy to be complacent. It’s easy to just come off the edge.

“We also over the years know how much momentum can affect Ryder Cup, and I think with the players that I have in there (Sunday singles), that hopefully that won’t happen.”

McGinley also spoke of the importance of Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter’s half-point from Saturday morning to ensure the American’s didn’t gain momentum.

“If we go on to win this Ryder Cup, that to me was a very pivotal moment,” he explained. “But as I say, let’s not talk too far forward yet, because we have a big, big job to do tomorrow. That’s a strong American Team. It’s a strong lineup. Some young blood up the front there and they are going to be hungry to make a reputation for themselves on away soil just like we were in Medinah two years ago. This is far from over.”

That was a sentiment echoed by American captain Tom Watson. Watson admitted his admitted his side had been “shellacked” on Saturday but the significance of the score was not lost on him. “As I recall there’s been a little bit of history with 10-6 comebacks – Medinah and of course Brookline in 1999,” Watson smiled. “The players are already talking about that and every one is going to have to play their guts out.” But while those matches are fresh in the player’s minds, Watson wouldn’t go as far as Ben Crenshaw did in ’99 by stating he had a ‘good feeling about tomorrow’. “I have a trust in my players that they can get it done,” Watson smiled. “I have an innate trust. I’ve gotten to really know them and they have what it takes.”

And while it was McGinley who’d said earlier in the week that he “would make mistakes”, it was Watson’s turn to recognise an error. “It may have been a mistake that I put Jimmy and Rickie out four matches,” reflected Watson after the duo’s heavy afternoon defeat to McDowell and Dubuisson. “I thought they could handle it but I think Jimmy got a little bit tired.”

Saturday’s play had already entered the record books for Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson’s superb morning display before Watson ensured there would be another moment for statisticians to lap up in the afternoon. His decision not to use Phil Mickelson at all during the second day’s played meant it was the first time in 21 years that the US had played a day without either Phil or Tiger Woods appearing in a session.

Watson explained that Mickelson was tired and had been exhausted at the previous evening’s dinner before candidly revealing that the multiple Major winner had text him asking to be given the chance to play on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately for Phil, Watson wasn’t as receptive to his message as he had been to Webb Simpson’s a few weeks earlier when the 2011 US Open champion’s text message secured him a pick for the team.

That pick looks more than a little questionable now. Simpson, having skied the opening tee shot of this event on his way to a heavy defeat, also sat out Saturday’s play (along with fellow pick Keegan Bradley) and will head into his Sunday clash with Ian Poulter having played just 14 holes of golf.

Sunday’s singles: Graeme McDowell v Jordan Spieth (11.36am); Henrik Stenson v Patrick Reed (11.48); Rory McIlroy v Rickie Fowler (12pm); Justin Rose v Hunter Mahan (12.12pm); Stephen Gallacher v Phil Mickelson (12.24pm); Martin Kaymer v Bubba Watson (12.36pm); Thomas Bjorn v Matt Kuchar (12.48pm); Sergio Garcia v Jim Furyk (1pm); Ian Poulter v Webb Simpson (1.12pm); Jamie Donaldson v Keegan Bradley (1.24pm); Lee Westwood v Jimmy Walker (1.36pm); Victor Dubuisson v Zach Johnson (1.48pm).