Europe fighting but USA still on top

Sep 30 2012

Dressed in the colours of the late Seve Ballesteros, Europe were fittingly fighting for all they were worth on the final day of the Ryder Cup in Chicago.

But after four hours' play they were still needing nearly everything to go their way to have a chance.

The four-point overnight deficit became three when Luke Donald beat Masters champion Bubba Watson 2&1 in the top game before Scot Paul Lawrie made it 10-8 by beating FedEx Cup winner Brandt Snedeker 5&3.

"It was a big honour for me that Ollie had enough trust in me to go out and get that first point," Donald said. "That means a lot and I did what I had to do.

"It certainly helped having some local support. It wasn't totally going Bubba's way - I felt a lot of love from the crowd."

World number one Rory McIlroy was two up on Keegan Bradley with three to go, but with Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner all holding advantages America's bid to regain the trophy they lost at Celtic Manor two years ago was still looking good.

The day had a quite astonishing start when word reached everybody that McIlroy was needing a police escort to reach the course in time for his match.

Two minutes late and he would forfeit the opening hole, five minutes late and he faced disqualification, but to the relief of every European he was driven into the parking lot with 10 minutes to go, ran across to the practice putting green and then proceeded to reach the turn in a four under par 32, albeit only two-up.

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal admitted his heart was "racing quicker than expected" and added: "We did not have that in mind.

"All of a sudden we realised Rory was not here and started to look for him. Finally we got hold of him and he came in." It was reported that the Northern Irishmen had seen a 12.25am tee-off time on television, but it was Eastern Time - one hour ahead of Chicago.