CHASKA, Minnesota (Reuters) - Thomas Pieters capped a spectacular Ryder Cup debut on Sunday, becoming the first European rookie to win four points on his first appearance as he defeated American JB Holmes 3 and 2 in a duel of long hitters.
The 24-year-old Belgian, who combined with world number three Rory McIlroy for three points over the opening two days, went two down after starting with a bogey and a par on a sun-kissed day at Hazeltine National.
Pieters, however, came storming back with a scintillating sequence of seven birdies in 14 holes as he fully vindicated captain Darren Clarke's decision to award him a wildcard pick for the biennial team event.