Six of the best - poor light cuts off Europeans in their prime
With today's third session at Celtic Manor called to a halt this evening because of failing light, Colin Montgomerie's hopes of reclaiming the Ryder Cup have been given a fillip with some fine performances, all six European pairings leading their US counterparts when play was stopped.
Though the USA lead 6-4 after the completion of the first two sessions earlier today, the matches in this final session point to a European turnaround, assuming the team can maintain this afternoon's momentum when play begins again tomorrow morning.
And no player embodied the comeback better than the inspiring Lee Westwood. In an intriguing foursomes match-up featuring some of golf's biggest names, Westwood and partner Luke Donald are spearheading Montgomerie's campaign, and lead 4up after nine holes, to the sure embarrassment of Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods.
The European pair began brilliantly, birdies from Westwood on three of the opening four holes seeing the English duo quickly building a lead over their opponents, though the ever dependable Luke Donald was also contributing with some excellent play, a brilliantly-judged pitch on the seventh stopping just inches from the hole.
But the only cheers Woods was inspired were ironic ones, the 34-year-old's approach on the 6th rolling into the water to the delight of watching European fans. Though the world No. 1 and Stricker have enjoyed a successful partnership thus far at Celtic Manor this week, in truth Woods has been something of a passenger, with Stricker sinking the crucial putts.
Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy's partnership continues to flourish, the pair finishing the day 3up against Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan in a foursomes match after winning the last two holes of the day. McDowell's final contribution was an exquisite approach shot from the fairway that finished a few feet from the hole to offer his teammate a simple putt.
Meanwhile, in the fourball matches Padraig Harrington and Ross Fisher are taking on Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson, and despite Harrington appeared to be undoing the good work of earlier this morning, dunking his first shot into the drink, the Irishman's partner Fisher was firing on all cylinders. Fisher birdied the 3rd with an unlikely, long range putt to go 1up, and that score still stands after eight holes.
Peter Hanson and Miguel Angel Jimenez also finished on a high, the pair going 2up in their fourballs match after Jimenez birdied the 6th, much to the consternation of opponents Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton.
Edoardo and Francesco Molinari are trying their luck against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar in fourballs, the Molinaris venturing to the tees with the crowd chant of "two Molinaris - there's only two Molinaris," ringing in their ears. On the 5th, Edoardo Molinari had to chip in from off the green to retain a 1up lead before they agreed to stop play - and the Italian made no mistake, pitching perfectly to maintain the brothers advantage.
Ian Poulter and Martin Kaymer were playing the last of the fourballs matches and the pair have only played four holes, but that was still enough to see the pair go 2up against Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.
While Corey Pavin must have been quietly delighted earlier this afternoon, the US captain must be shell shocked by the current turnaround. Certainly, Pavin needs to buoy his player's spirits this evening. The Americans may presently hold a two point lead, but that advantage looks very fragile right now.
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