Captain Montgomerie hails Europe's finest hour but warns of battle ahead

COLIN MONTGOMERIE hailed his team's performance yesterday as one of the greatest days in European golf, but supplied the caveat that it will mean nothing if they do not finish the job today.

Europe gave the United States a stunning lesson in matchplay golf at a pumped up Celtic Manor as they turned a two-point deficit into a three-point advantage; leading 9.5 points to 6.5 going into today's singles.

The celebrations on the 18th green as Francesco Molinari holed the putt that denied Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar America's only full point may not have been the anticipated Sunday celebrations due to a second lengthy rain delay of the week.

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But as the 38th Ryder Cup enters the history books as the first to be extended into four days due to bad weather, so Montgomerie wants his men to etch their names into the annals by winning back the Cup for Europe.

"I've always said it takes 12 to win a Ryder Cup and all 12 performed brilliantly," said Montgomerie last night.

"In my 20 years of Ryder Cup, that was one of the greatest days for European golf; to turn a two-point deficit into a three-point lead.

"All credit to everybody.

"But all this would be pointless if it is not continued (today).

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"Yes, we are tired, the Americans are tired as well. But there is no resting for this team.

"We will go out as if it is 8-8. Our goal is to win the singles."

Europe actually need only five points and with the singles starting at 9.05am, Montgomerie has named a team that suggests he wants to have it in the bag by early afternoon.

Lee Westwood leads out the Europeans on the day he replaces Phil Mickelson as the world's No 2 golfer. The 37-year-old is Europe's No 1 in word and deed.

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Westwood faces Steve Stricker who has spent much of the week pulling Tiger Woods up by the boot straps.

He could do nothing yesterday though as Westwood and Luke Donald took just four holes to inflict the heaviest defeat on 14-time major winner Woods in his entire matchplay career; 6&5 for the record.

Hot on Westwood's heels will be Rory McIlroy who has lived and died with every shot as if he were part of the 40,000 strong crowd who are willing Europe to victory on Celtic Manor's atmospheric amphitheatres.

The Ulsterman dismissed the Ryder Cup as an exhibition last year. How much he has learned. He needs to keep his emotions on an even keel today against Stewart Cink, the coolest of customers.

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Match No 3 sees Donald face Jim Furyk. Three heavyweight matches at the top of the order, but where are Woods and Phil Mickelson?

Buried near the bottom of the order.

Mickelson has yet to win a point this week, earning the unenviable record of amassing the most defeats by any American player in the competition's history. Out the traps in position No 10, a victory for Mickelson may not even matter. Peter Hanson will be licking his lips in anticipation.

Woods is out two groups before against Francesco Molinari. The world No 1 has won two points this week – a return owing much to Stricker – but will hold no fear for the younger Italian.

"Both he and Edoardo will be standing three feet taller on the tee tomorrow (Monday)," said Montgomerie following their superb save against Cink and Kuchar.

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"We have to thank the Molinari brothers. They were one down playing the last knowing they needed to birdie.

"To do what they did, two rookies, with everybody who loves golf in Europe watching them, was fabulous."

Graeme McDowell anchors the European team against Hunter Mahan.

"Brookline has been mentioned in the locker room," said the captain. "We were 10-6 up and lost and the lead now is not as good.

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"We respect the American team, we just have to go out there and do exactly what we did today."

The Americans by contrast, appear a dispirited bunch.

When asked if there had been any passionate outbursts in the team room after being on the receiving end of an unprecedented five-point thrashing – as had been delivered by Montgomerie, Westwood and Padraig Harrington after Europe lost the first two sessions – Corey Pavin said the vibe had been only positive.

"I watched 12 men who fought hard and held their heads high," he reflected of the day's events.

Getting carried away after such an emotional day is easy, but the sense that the momentum is firmly with a European team on course for victory is hard to shake.

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Only the rain, it seems, can stop them. Five and three quarter hours were lost to the elements yesterday, taking the time conceded to the wet stuff to more than 12 hours.

The forecast for today is a lot brighter, however, with sunny spells expected throughout.

If the rain does return, then the match will be finished no matter what the result at 6.43pm this evening.

All of the remaining matches out on the course will be halved.

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Montgomerie will be praying to the sun gods such an anti-climatic scenario is not required.

Who plays who in the singles?

Pairings and tee-off times for today's singles at the Ryder Cup:

0905 Lee Westwood v Steve Stricker

0917 Rory McIlroy v Stewart Cink

0929 Luke Donald v Jim Furyk

0941 Martin Kaymer v Dustin Johnson

0953 Ian Poulter v Matt Kuchar

1005 Luke Fisher v Jeff Overton

1017 Miguel-Angel Jimenez v Bubba Watson

1029 Francesco Molinari v Tiger Woods

1041 Edoardo Molinari v Rickie Fowler

1053 Peter Hanson v Phil Mickelson

1105 Padraig Harrington v Zach Johnson

1117 Graeme McDowell v Hunter Mahan