Ryder Cup ready for thrilling finale
Colin Montgomerie hailed it as one of the truly great days for European golf as his
Monty's army
The captain's plea to play with more passion had sparked the turnaround, and after another morning's washout, the European team were able to relight the fire and clinch five-and-half points out of the six to march into
were treated to a tenacious front-running display by Europe and a spirited attempt at a fightback by America.
Of all his players Montgomerie saved a "special mention" for who imbued the fighting spirit by scraping a half after trailing by one on the 18th tee.
"It gave us a big difference. They are going to walk very tall after what they achieved," he said.
But Montgomerie said the "amazing" day would count for nothing if Europe don't reach the decisive 14.5 points they need to win back the Ryder Cup.
The USA overhauled a 10-6 deficit to win the infamous after an inspired resurgence that will always be remembered for the invasion and celebrations on the 17th green after Justin Leonard's huge putt dropped.
And Montgomerie, who suffered horrendous vocal abuse by the charged-up crowd that day, insisted his team were braced for a US reaction on Monday.
"There's no resting for our team," he said. "We are going here as if it's tied to try to win the singles. If we do that we'll win. There will be nobody backing down from that goal."
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US skipper Corey Pavin has opted not to recreate the sort of rabble-rousing employed by counterpart Ben Crenshaw, who invited then Governor George Bush to recite a text from the Alamo before the singles in 1999.
"When you have the crowd going crazy, it's easier to show more emotion and you can egg them on a little bit and it's fun," he agreed.
"I don't think these guys need encouragement. They have all the motivation in the world to come out and play their best and try their hardest. They are playing with pride and passion and will do that again on Monday.
"Is Europe ahead? Absolutely. It's nice to have a cushion. Can you come back from it? Absolutely."
The players from both sides will now be exposed, alone against the opposition without the comfort of a partner. Characters will be tested to the full. Reputations made and broken.
will lead off for Europe against on the same day that he takes over from as world number two.
The Englishman has won two and lost four of his Ryder Cup singles but is now being asked to take on the crucial lead-off role performed twice by his captain.
Montgomerie, unbeaten in his six singles matches, is employing the old tactic of trying to get off to a fast start, to get blue on the board, engage the crowd and build the momentum.
He's chosen and in the next two slots but Pavin has matched strength with strength with world number four Stricker, the in-form and recent Fed Ex Cup winner
Montgomerie insists he has strength throughout and has opted to play three-time major champion and US Open champion last should things get sticky.
Pavin has raised eyebrows by picking in the eighth spot against and Mickelson 10th against Some suggest they are being "hidden". No-one can hide.
Despite the two Americans' relatively poor Ryder Cup records, and their less-than-convincing performances this week (Woods has two wins and a 6&5 defeat, Mickelson three defeats), the world rankings would suggest comfortable wins.
Pavin, though, knows that it doesn't work like that in matchplay. And Woods's only defeat in five Ryder Cup singles was against another Italian, Costantino Rocca, in 1997.
"I've seen great players lose matches that you never think they would. I've seen players that you wouldn't give much chance do some amazing things," he said.
They know all about that in these parts.
Europe need five points to win, and how fitting it would be that the inspiring Ian Poulter could be the man to sink the winning putt in his first event on home soil.
It's unlikely to go to script, though. And that's what makes the Ryder Cup truly great.
I'm Rob Hodgetts and I cover golf and stuff for 91Èȱ¬ Sport online when I am not news editing or managing the front page.
Comment number 1.
At 4th Oct 2010, kwiniaskagolfer wrote:Exactly how fitting would it be if Ian Poulter holes the winning putt? Hopefully we'll get it done that early, but Poulter has not exactly been playing his best, certainly not up to his own expectations.
I think this has so far been the consummate team effort and one's hope would be that any winning putt is holed by a relative Phillip Price, an undersung but vital member of the team.
Great blogs throughout, Rob; hope you were nice to Mr.Remy - his hometown got at least twice the rainfall suffered by CM these past few days, trust he was gracious about CM's misfortune.
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Comment number 2.
At 4th Oct 2010, ScotsmaninOz wrote:This is my favorite sporting event EVER!! So far, this year has been awesome as well!!
It would be even more fitting if Harrington put in the last putt. I didn't agree with the pick and I still say Casey would probably have been a better pick, but I am a fan of Harrington and it was great to see him come into his own yesterday.
I don't really feel he played bad in the 2nd game, but more Fisher was on fire!!!
GO EUROPE!!!!!!!!!
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Comment number 3.
At 4th Oct 2010, delgolfer wrote:I'm a bit worried about the European team's putting.Lots of putts missed yesterday.We should have won those matches a lot easier,many putts to win missed.Holes halved,that should have been won.I hope I'm wrong,c'mon Europe,let's take the trophy back.
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Comment number 4.
At 4th Oct 2010, Shayhay wrote:It looks as if Europe will have to overcome the Americans with far less support that they enjoyed yesterday. I was one of the unfortunates who paid a fortune for tickets for fridays play and due to the seven hour suspension of play we managed to see less than 1 hours golf for the huge outlay.
I am outraged that I cannot use the tickets for Mondays held over singles competition. I have emailed Rob Waddelow, the Financial controller of the Ryder Cup, to inform him of the damage this decision will have done to the European tour. Those who feel the same way as me can contact him at rwaddelow@europeantour.com
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Comment number 5.
At 4th Oct 2010, Surreybloke wrote:It sounds very wrong that you don't get even a partial refund for such a small amount of play, being that at the Test Matches in cricket, you get scaleable refunds up to a certain amount of play. Sounds like they don't look after their paying public in golf.
Very frustrating to not be able to watch any today with it being carried over. Was hoping for a rain delay to make it finish a bit later but it sounds like the weather is meant to be pretty good.
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Comment number 6.
At 4th Oct 2010, hackerjack wrote:Pavin has raised eyebrows by picking Tiger Woods in the eighth spot against Francesco Molinari and Mickelson 10th against Peter Hanson. Some suggest they are being "hidden".
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What a stupid idea. If USA are to win they will need to get results in at least 8 matches, thus if they are to win or even be close then they will have to rely in those playing in 8th-12th just as much as 1st-4th.
Shayhay - Sorry for your outlay and everything but realistically they can not honor both shortened days worth of tickets for the monday due to safety issues, hopefully once eveythign shakes out those who lost out will get some sort of rebate.
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Comment number 7.
At 4th Oct 2010, sportmadgav wrote:I agree that your blogs have been the best of the 91Èȱ¬ team of bloggers. Feel sorry for Shayhay and all like him. It is a shame that foresight can't be used instead of hindsight in these instances.
I agree that there is no hiding place but it must be a bit irksome for Pavin that #1 and #2 in the world have contributed so little. Tiger has 2 points but Stricker was the strongman. He'll be jealous of Monty having Westwood....#3 and leading by example.
For those complaining about the weather and rain delays.....being an expat, I got up at 2am every day to watch Europe take on the US......I wouldn't change this RC for anything, let's hope we can finish it off in style.
Congratulations to Celtic Manor, Montgomerie and all involved, it really has been a special effort from everyone.
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Comment number 8.
At 4th Oct 2010, sportmadgav wrote:Quick question.....does anyone know why practice putting has been curtailed to finishing out?
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Comment number 9.
At 4th Oct 2010, GB wrote:Does anybody know when 91Èȱ¬2 will show the highlights today?
I cannot find it listed anywhere.
Thanks
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Comment number 10.
At 4th Oct 2010, strictlyspeaking wrote:@GB someone said it would be on 91Èȱ¬2 at 7.20pm (John Inverdale - Match of the Day) but I can't find any confirmation. Surprised the 91Èȱ¬ website hasn't been updated! I'm sure there are many people like us who need this information.
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Comment number 11.
At 4th Oct 2010, GB wrote:Thanks for that. Maybe they are still bickering about which show gets dropped....
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Comment number 12.
At 4th Oct 2010, Surreybloke wrote:God, the bloke doing the interviewing on Sky is awful. He was asking Pavin about his decision on putting Woods in the middle, and said how surprised people were, including him... as if anyone is going to care what the interviewer's opinion is! Thank goodness for the 5live coverage.
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Comment number 13.
At 4th Oct 2010, L A Odicean wrote:"Sir Colin".... If I ever hear those words I shall cancel my subscription to 'The Lady'.
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Comment number 14.
At 4th Oct 2010, TheRBman wrote:Well done and more excitement than I could bear. How anyone could have left out Paul Casey is beyond me and you were very lucky here Monty. I guess the fact Padraig did so well in the practice games gets quietly left behind here. The most important aspect of the Captains job is getting those picks right, something that nearly cost us.
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Comment number 15.
At 4th Oct 2010, ajanela wrote:Why wasn't on the 91Èȱ¬. I have been so disappointed at not being able to see it live.
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Comment number 16.
At 4th Oct 2010, steve57uk wrote:Is anyone else as disappointed as I am that the 91Èȱ¬ are only giving us 70 minutes of Ryder Cup highlights tonight??
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