Europe will be tough to catch in Ryder Cup with 10-6 lead

There wasn’t much that Tom Watson could say to his players.

So, after a dispiriting afternoon at the Ryder Cup, the U.S. captain planned to hold only a short team meeting.

“They are going to be pretty bushed,” Watson explained. “I’m going to tell them to get some sleep.”

When Sunday dawns at Gleneagles, the Americans will face a challenge of historic proportions as they try to become only the third team in more than eight decades to erase a four-point deficit.

That will require a nearly perfect effort in singles matches against a heavily favored European squad that has put them in a hole with one clutch shot after another.

U.S. player Jimmy Walker put it this way: “We’re in a tough position.”

If something about the Europeans’ 10-6 lead sounds familiar, that was the U.S. edge two years ago before Europe back for a victory that was dubbed the “Miracle at Medinah.”

The Americans could now use some of that magic because of a second consecutive day in which they started fast, only to falter thereafter.

Saturday morning began with a shift in course conditions as treacherous crosswinds died down and Gleneagles’ relatively slow greens got a little slicker with a double-cut and pressing from the grounds crew.

“We are used to a little faster greens,” Bubba Watson said.

The difference helped to explain a surfeit of birdies that carried the U.S. to two victories and a tie in four early matches.

It took a historic effort by Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson to secure Europe’s only win. The pair recorded 12 birdies on the way to a 3-and-2 victory over Watson and Matt Kuchar.

“What a match,” Rose said. “It was a privilege to be part of that.”

Even if Rose and Stenson kept Europe in the overall lead by a point, 6 1/2-5 1/2 , the U.S. appeared to hold all the momentum heading into afternoon foursomes.

Then the wind picked up and, more important, the Americans seemed to run out of gas.

Tom Watson had decided to stick with most of his morning players, leaving Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley on the sideline. He said: “If I had to second-guess myself, I think it was based on just that, a couple players getting tired. Might have done it differently if I knew they were going to be that way.”

Rickie Fowler, in particular, seemed lifeless on the course. At one point, Jim Furyk — usually reliable around the green — blasted a short chip well past the hole.

Europe dominated afternoon play, winning three matches handily. The Americans were hurt just as badly by the one match that ended up halved.

Impressive rookies Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were 1-up heading into the 18th hole against Rose and Martin Kaymer. An unfortunate bunker lie and Rose’s nervy six-foot birdie putt resulted in the tie, earning Europe a half-point and depriving the U.S. of any late spark.

“Say they win that match, they take something into the locker room,” Graeme McDowell said. “That putt for Justin was so huge because it gave them nothing.”

Now, it seems, desperate circumstances call for desperate measures.

The Americans need to get 8 1/2 points from 12 singles matches Sunday. They will have to overcome an opponent that is considered deeper and more talented, and a crowd that will be singing “Ole, Ole” all day.

Watson will gamble on playing Spieth and Reed early, hoping the new guys can create some momentum.

“Obviously that’s going to be key,” Spieth said. “We all believe that it’s possible.”

At this point, belief — and a good night’s sleep — might be the best things the Americans have going for them.

david.wharton@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATimesWharton