Ryder Cup - Impressive Europe dominate USA

Europe will take a three-point lead into the singles matches at the Ryder Cup after dominating the USA on an astonishing day at Celtic Manor.

The home side led all six matches going into the final day, but the USA fought back strongly to square or lead half the matches - only for the Europeans to once again take control, winning five and a half points out of a possible six on the day after Francesco Molinari's stunning birdie on the 18th.

The inspired Lee Westwood and Luke Donald completed a 6&5 foursomes win over Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker early on - the first defeat of the week for the American duo, and Woods's worst ever at a Ryder Cup.

And when Rory McIlroy rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the 17th to square the scores at 6-6 it looked certain to be Europe's day.

Yet the USA hit back in several matches, with Jeff Overton holing an approach shot for an eagle on the par-4 eighth and Rickie Fowler holing a pitch for an eagle on the par-5 11th, and Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar birdieing the 10th and 13th against the Molinari brothers thanks to excellent long putting.

But as the nerves began to jangle the European players came off better. First Ross Fisher's sublime play was boosted by Padraig Harrington's experienced advice - if not his golf - to send the first of fourballs Europe's way and put the home side ahead for the first time since early on Friday.

Then, in perhaps the most impressive spell of holes of the day, Peter Hanson birdied the 15th with a miraculous pitch out of the water hazard before Miguel Angel Jimenez birdied two of the last three holes to secure a point against Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton and make it 8-6.

Ian Poulter's birdie on the 15th and Martin Kaymer's nerveless play on the 16th and 17th gave Europe another win as both Phil Mickelson and Fowler faltered, but the Molinari brothers looked as if they would lose to Cink and Kuchar after both bogeyed 16.

But although the match came down the last hole with the Americans one up, an incredible approach pitch shot to within three feet gave Francesco Molinari a putt to halve the match and complete a wonderful day's golf in fine style.

Skipper Colin Montgomerie, a veteran of the Europe side which lost the 1999 Ryder Cup despite a 10-6 advantage at the same stage, will be wary of counting his chickens; but Europe are hot favourites to regain the Ryder Cup when the singles begin at 9.05am on Monday.

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