Ryder Cup notes: One match, 21 birdies

The second day of the Ryder Cup started with a historic performance.

In the first morning fourball match, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson defeated Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar, 3 and 2, with all four golfers setting records.

The match featured a combined 21 birdies over 16 holes, the most in Cup history. Rose and Stenson recorded the most birdies by a team with 12.

After falling behind early, the European duo finished with birdies on the last 10 holes.

“I don’t have anything to compare it with,” Stenson said. “It was something very special.”

Even the losing pair, who had nine birdies, seemed to appreciate the significance of the moment.

“Obviously, I wish I was on the other end,” Watson said. “But I guess my name will be in the record book somehow, you know.”

Lefty on the bench

For the first time in 10 appearances at the Ryder Cup — the most of any American in history — Phil Mickelson spent an entire day without hitting a single shot. U.S. captain Tom Watson sat him out in the morning, and then he chose not to play Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in the afternoon.

The last time Mickelson played only two matches going into the final round was in 1995 at Oak Hill, when he was a Ryder Cup rookie. Asked to comment as he walked down the fairway to watch, Mickelson said, “Whatever it takes to win.”

Unleash the beast

This had been a quiet Ryder Cup for the normally exuberant Ian Poulter, but the British golfer changed all that Saturday morning.

Sinking a chip on the 15th hole, Poulter let loose with a primal holler and pounded his chest. His expressive behavior continued with a birdie on No. 16 and a skillful approach on the final hole.

“There was a lot of emotion,” he said. “It’s been waiting to come out.”

A one-sided loss Friday had not given him much chance to celebrate. Saturday marked the anniversary of his big performance at Medinah two years ago, which was key to Europe’s comeback victory.

This time, Poulter and Rory McIlroy were able to scramble back from one down to halve their foursome against Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker.

“It was nice to be able to get something out of that match,” Poulter said.

Minor pain

Over the last two days, there has been talk of Stenson struggling with a sore back.

It hasn’t stopped him from teaming with Rose for two victories Friday and that impressive early Saturday win. After that, Stenson took the afternoon off.

“It was a bit stiff this morning,” he said of his back, adding that the rest would help “to get as fresh and ready for tomorrow as possible.”

david.wharton@latimes.com

Twitter: LATimesWharton

The Associated Press contributed to this report.