CHASKA, Minn. -- Patrick Reed wasnt part of the task force put together by U.S. Ryder Cup officials to reverse Europes two decade-long domination.But in the span of a few hours Sunday, he proved that grit on the greens and smarts off the tee can close that gap faster than all the committee meetings and long-term planning in the world.Playing in only his second Ryder Cup, Reed drew Rory McIlroy in the critical opening match. McIlroy is Europes unquestioned leader, a three-time major winner who is ranked third in the world and one of the best drivers of the ball in golf. Reed, who is ranked No. 8 but isnt nearly as long off the tee, was featured on the front of this months Golf Digest under the title How to Dominate With Your Driver.And on this day he was every bit as good as his press. The two traded birdies and stares all afternoon, with McIlroy turning to the crowd after rolling in a tough 40-footer at No. 8, pumping both fists and practically daring the gallery to boo.When Reed responded by sinking his own birdie from 20 feet, he pulled the ball out of the cup and turned to face McIlroy, then wagged his index finger in a show of defiance. But to prove that sportsmanship was as much a part of the bargain as gamesmanship, the two exchanged fist bumps before they resumed the battle on the next tee.I consider everybody, whether its the European side, captains, vice captains ... a big Ryder Cup family, Reed said, said just moments after his 1-up victory set the tone for the Americans 17-11 win, their first since 2008 and only their third dating to 1993.We want to beat them at their best, he added, and they want to beat us at our best.Reed came to Hazeltine after posting a 3-0-1 mark in his only previous appearance, at Gleneagles in 2014, and forged a partnership with Jordan Spieth that was something to see. They played all four sessions in the first two days, taking on Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson -- the Olympic gold and silver medalist, respectively -- in three of those matches and winning twice.But they were almost denied that fourth match, when Reed made seven birdies and an eagle on his own ball -- arguably his finest moment amid a handful of great ones here. Days earlier, Tiger Woods, serving as a U.S. vice captain in these matches, had told Reed hed likely have to sit out one of the foursomes or four-ball sessions. Reed listened dutifully, then simply told Woods, You are not sitting me on any matches.That bit of defiance hinted at why Reeds teammates dubbed him Captain America. It also put Woods squarely in his corner. So when captain Davis Love thought about sitting Reed and Spieth for the second session Saturday, it was Woods who went to bat for the pair.We all kind of had a little bit different idea, Love recalled. Even my son threw a lineup out. Hes my cart driver, and he says, `Heres a lineup. I finally just said to Tiger, `Are we playing them or are we sitting them? He said, `No, you have to send them back out there.Good thing, too.I knew today was going to be tough, going against a guy like Rory, especially how he was playing earlier this week, Reed said. To come out and play as well as we both did, especially on that front nine, was definitely something fun to be part of.Pretty sure, he added a moment later, it was fun to watch, too.And for members of the U.S. Ryder Cup task force, it was must-see TV. Adam Henrique Ducks Jersey . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Scott Niedermayer Jersey . 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The Australian swimming team have some nagging headaches to address if they are to live up to their promise of challenging the all-conquering United States again in the pool.Team spirit is no longer a concern for the Dolphins, after their toxic London campaign, but the results? Not so much.Australia arrived in Rio de Janeiro hoping to reclaim the world No. 1 title for the first time since 2001, but they departed having been humbled by a Michael Phelps-led and Katie Ledecky-inspired U.S. team that nabbed half of the gold medals on offer -- a staggering 16.Australia won three gold medals, four silver and three bronze in an effort described by national coach Jacco Verhaeren as a mixed bag.Teenager Kyle Chalmers became Australias first 100m freestyle champion since 1968, but world record-holder Cate Campbell pulled off what she described as the greatest choke in Olympic history to finish a distant sixth in her 100m final.You cant pinpoint one reason or a generic reason why some people step up and others dont, Verhaeren said.Every performance has its own story, and this is what we need to find out.Fine-tuning Australias aapproach to the Olympics may be part of that story.ddddddddddddThe Dolphins held their Olympic trials in April, while the powerhouse U.S. held their selection meet in late June-early July.It will definitely be part of the review, looking at what is the best time for trials, Verhaeren said.But whether you qualify six weeks before or four months before or a year out, it comes down to race day.And it seems, the competitors mindset.Chalmers - just 18 - admitted he was oblivious to the pressure. He wasnt even sure who some of his famous competitors were.Australias other individual gold medallist, Mack Horton, even amped up the mind games ahead of his 400m freestyle triumph by calling Chinas defending champion and doping offender Sun Yang a drug cheat.By contrast, unassuming veteran Campbell choked while quietly spoken, red-hot favourite Cameron McEvoy -- a dual Olympian -- got stage fright as he finished second-last in the 100m freestyle final.Sometimes ignorance is a blessing, Verhaeren said. ' ' '