USA 9 Europe 7:Robert Karlsson missed a 12-foot putt in the last of the day's fourball pairings that could have brought Europe to within a point of the USA going into the final day of the Ryder Cup. But his stroke was an inch too high which allows the USA draw the afternoon session having lost the morning fourballs 2.5 to 1.5. The USA lead 9-7 ahead of the 12 singles matches.
Having narrowed the USA's lead to two points in the morning foursomes, Europe got off to a poor start with the USA leading in three of the four matches in the early stages.
However, Europe were dogged through the back nine and squared up two matches. While Graeme McDowell, paired with Ian Poulter against Kenny Perrry and Jim Furyk led after the first hole and stayed ahead until the par-5 18th.
But their one-hole lead looked in jeopardy after McDowell fouled up his second shot. An approach to within 5 feet of the hole by Poulter and safe putt secured the crucial point which put Europe within two of their rivals.
Ahead of them Lee Westwood and Soren Hansen against Boo Weekley and JB Holmes never took a lead over the 18 holes and went down 2 & 1 in the end.
Behind them, Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis approached the 18th tee all square but fairway shots from both men into deep rough looked like handing the match to Europe.
However, Stricker pitched brilliantly onto a bank which diverted the ball onto the green and then holed out from 20 feet. Under pressure to putt for the half, an out-of sorts Paul Casey obliged.
The last pairings out, Phil Mickelson and Hunter Mahan against Henrik Stenson and Robert Karlsson, provided a thrilling finale to the second day's play.
FOURBALL RESULTS
Match 1:Weekley/Holmes v Westwood/Soren Hansen - US win 2 & 1
Match 2:Curtis/Stricker v Garcia/Casey - Halved
Match 3:Perry/Furyk v Poulter/McDowell - Europe win 1 Up
Match 4:Mickelson/Mahan v Stenson/Karlsson -
FOURSOME RESULTS
Match 1:Cink/Campbell v Poulter/Rose - Europe win 4 & 3
Match 2:Leonard/Mahan v Jimenez/McDowell - Halved
Match 3:Mickelson/Kim v Stenson/Wilson - Europe win 2 & 1
Match 4:Furyk/Perry v Harrington/Karlsson - US win 3 & 1
USA lead 9-7
