Poulter, Donald score for Europe at Celtic Manor
Ian Poulter reminded the crowd at Celtic Manor this afternoon why he is already viewed as a Ryder Cup legend - and a potential future captain - the Englishman beating Matt Kuchar 5&4 today at the Twenty Ten course.
The European players have struggled to assert themselves today, with star performers like Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer already losing to their US opponents Steve Stricker and Dustin Johnson. But Poulter has been impressive all day, the 34-year-old winning 5&4 over Matt Kuchar after going 1up on the 3rd and never subsequently looking in trouble.
And soon afterwards Luke Donald added another valuable point to the cause with his 1up win over Jim Furyk, while Rory McIlroy halved his match against Stewart Cink on the 18th despite failing to clear a bunker with his first attempt on that hole; fortunately the Ulsterman's second was enough to bring him within four feet of the pin, with Cink unable to sink a long range putt to win the hole.
That leaves Europe leading the USA 12 to 9, but Europe aren't in the clear just yet, by any means. Tiger Woods has just come alive, eagling the 12th to go 3up against Edoardo Molinari.
Westwood v Stricker USA WIN 2&1
McIlroy v Cink A/S
Donald v Furyk EUROPE WIN 1 UP
Kaymer v Dustin Johnson USA WIN 6&4
Poulter v Kuchar EUROPE WIN 5&4
Fisher v Overton A/S (12)
Jimenez v Bubba EUROPE 3 UP (12)
F Molinari v Tiger USA 3 UP (12)
E Molinari v Fowler EUROPE 3 UP (11)
Hanson v Mickelson USA 2 UP (10)
Harrington v Zach Johnson USA 3 UP (10)
McDowell v Mahan EUROPE 2 UP (8)
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