Golf:Colin Montgomerie demanded passion but most of all he demanded points. He got both in spades as Europe sensationally overturned a 6-4 overnight deficit into a 9.5-6.5 lead heading into tomorrow's singles when the outcome of this weather-plagued Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor will finally be decided.
Although Pádraig Harrington was carried for large parts of the afternoon by his thoroughly impressive partner Ross Fisher, it was their winning point which put Europe ahead for just the second time in this contest.
The European pair traded plenty of birdies with Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson before Fisher ended the contest with a 20 foot birdie putt on 17, his sixth of the day, to rubberstamp the 2 and 1 victory. It put Europe 7-6 ahead at the time.
“He played some fantastic golf. Quality–wise he certainly played some of the best golf anybody has ever seen in the Ryder Cup,” came Harrington’s - maybe a little carried away - observation of his playing partner.
“He made all the shots, holed all the putts. He really did play awesome,” added the triple major winner, who at times was reduced to a bit part player and full time putt reader to the other half of the European operation.
Earlier, Europe got the upper-hand in both foursomes matches with Lee Westwood leading from the front alongside Luke Donald, while the Irish pair of Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy secured their first Ryder Cup win playing together.
Westwood and Donald ruthlessly put to bed Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker’s unbeaten run with a thumping 6 and 5 foursomes win. The English pair resumed at the 10th having been four up overnight.
They were straight into action at the par three 10th where Donald sensibly played to the heart of the green, only for Westwood to drain a 30-footer for birdie with his first shot of the day. Two more birdies quickly followed before hands were shaken at the 13th, a very early bath for the Americans.
“I’ve had good partners,” said Westwood with modesty afterwards. “You know when you’re playing Tiger you seem to up your game.”
“Hats off to Lee. He was an unbelievable partner,” added Donald.
The Northern Irish “Mac” combination recorded a 3 and 1 victory over Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan, their first after playing together in all three sessions.
“The Ryder Cup is all about momentum,” said a determined McDowell afterwards. “It’s been a difficult week for everyone but the crowd were brilliant, they really lifted the spirits yesterday . . . and that continued today.”
“The home support has been awesome this week,” added McIlroy. “To play with G-Mac has been great. To get that first Ryder Cup win under my belt is fantastic and do it alongside this guy (pointing to McDowell) is even more special.”
With the momentum clearly flowing in favour of Europe, Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez weighed in with a crucial two hole win against Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton, despite the latter holing from the eighth fairway for a winning eagle two when his approach landed three feet behind the cup and spun in.
Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer closed out the bottom match with their two holes win over the hapless and winless Phil Mickelson plus partner Rickie Fowler, but the icing the cake was left for the Molinari brothers.
Although they were the only European formation not to secure maximum points, the manner in which they halved on the 18th against Strewart Cink and Matt Kuchar sent the Celtic Manor masses into raptures.
Francesco Molinari, not known for a silky putting stroke, was left with a tricky three foot birdie effort to halve the match and the Italian held his nerve to ensure Team USA would stay winless from the third session.
Monty demanded the score line must be at least 8-8 by the end of the day. As it turned out his lofty expectations were exceeded and at 9.5-6.5 Europe need just five points from tomorrow’s singles to win back the Ryder Cup.
Overall: Europe 9.5 USA 6.5
Session Four: Final Day Singles
(First match tees-off at 9.05am followed by 12 minute intervals)
Lee Westwood v Steve Stricker
Rory McIlroy v Stewart Cink
Luke Donald v Jim Furyk
Martin Kaymer v Dustin Johnson
Ian Poulter v Matt Kuchar
Ross Fisher v Jeff Overton
Miguel Angel Jimenez v Bubba Watson
Francesco Molinari v Tiger Woods
Edoardo Molinari v Rickie Fowler
Peter Hanson v P Mickelson
Pádraig Harrington v Zach Johnson
Graeme McDowell v Hunter Mahan
Session Three
Foursomes:
Europe 2 USA 0
Luke Donald/ Lee Westwood defeated Steve Stricker/Tiger Woods 6 and 5
Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell defeated Zach Johnson/Hunter Mahan 3 and 1
Fourballs: Europe 3.5 USA 0.5
Pádraig Harrington/Ross Fisher defeated Jim Furyk/Dustin Johnson 2 and 1
Peter Hanson/Miguel Angel Jimenez defeated Bubba Watson/Jeff Overton 2 holes
Edoardo Molinari/Francesco Molinari halved with Stewart Cink/Matt Kuchar
Ian Poulter/Martin Kaymer defeated Phil Mickelson/Rickie Fowler 2 and 1
Session Two Foursomes
Europe 2.5 USA 3.5
Miguel Angel Jimenez/Peter Hanson lost to Tiger Woods/ Steve Stricker 4 and 3
Edoardo Molinari/Francesco Molinari lost to Zach Johnson/Hunter Mahan 2 holes
Lee Westwood/Martin Kaymer halved with Jim Furyk/Rickie Fowler
Pádraig Harrington/Ross Fisher defeated Phil Mickelson/Dustin Johnson 3 and 2
Ian Poulter/Luke Donald defeated Bubba Watson/Jeff Overton 2 and 1
Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell lost to Stewart Cink/Matt Kuchar 1 hole
Session One Fourball
Europe 1.5 USA 2.5
Lee Westwood/Martin Kaymer defeated Phil Mickelson/Dustin Johnson 3 and 2
Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell halved with Stewart Cink/Matt Kuchar
Ian Poulter/Ross Fisher lost to Steve Stricker /Tiger Woods 2 holes
Luke Donald/ Pádraig Harrington lost to Bubba Watson/Jeff Overton 3 and 2