Fuente: © PGA Tour of Australasia
http://www.pgatour.com.au/

PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA: Europe closes in

/noticias.info/ Europe has maintained its domination of the US on day two of the Ryder Cup as a 10-6 lead puts them in a commanding position to retain one of golf's most coveted trophies.

Having won five of the past six Ryder Cups, Europe is on the brink of yet another triumph and the US will need to win eight and a half of the final 12 points on offer if they are to buck the trend.

Sergio Garcia set the tone once again, defeating Phil Mickelson and David Toms two and one with partner Luke Donald. Undefeated in his last nine Ryder Cup matches, Garcia was oozing confidence as his exuberant play put Europe in the driver's seat.

It was a bit of an 'odd couple' pairing for Europe as the charismatic Garcia played alongside the more reserved Donald. However, their games clicked, which is more than can be said for the American pairing who disappointed.

"I think Luke and myself, we just make a really good couple," Garcia told the PGA Tour website.

"He just hits the drives, hits it down the middle. I somehow get it around the hole and he just taps it in. It works perfect," Garcia said.

Colin Montgomerie paired with Lee Westwood to halve the match against Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor. It was not as easy as expected for the European veterans who were up against Campbell and a rookie playing his first match for the weekend.

Montgomerie was pleased with Europe's position after day two but refused to compare the current tournament with the 1999 Ryder Cup when America recovered from the same 10-6 deficit at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.

"This is a very different situation," he said. "Although, this is being played in Ireland, not Boston."

Taylor's rookie confidence seems to think the US is still in with a chance despite the margin.

"You know, we're not too far behind… we can easily, easily win this thing," he told ESPN.

One man who could use a dose of Taylor's ambition is world no.1 Tiger Woods.

Woods, who arrived at the K Club with five consecutive tournament wins, has failed to produce the form that has seen him win 12 majors. However in the final match on Saturday, he and world no.3 Jim Furyk took a much needed point for America against Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.

Winning the match three and two, the American duo was in control from the word go. Consecutive birdies at the third and fourth holes set up the victory that was iced at the 15th with a superb 12-metre birdie putt from Furyk.

"I can't tell you how big that point was," said team captain Tom Lehman.

It was a good finish for the United States in what was otherwise a bleak day, with the depth of the European roster so far proving superior.

Results from Saturday's fourball at the K Club in Ireland

Stewart Cink and J.J. (USA) Henry halved Paul Casey and Robert Karlsson (Europe)
Sergio Garcia and Jose Maria Olazabal (Europe) bt Chris DiMarco and Phil Mickelson (USA) 3 and 2
Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood (Europe) bt Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods (USA) 3 and 2
Zach Johnson and Scott Verplank (USA) bt Padraig Harrington and Henrik Stenson (Europe) 2 and 1

Results from Saturday's foursomes at the K Club in Ireland

Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia (Europe) bt Phil Mickelson and David Toms (USA) 2 and 1
Chad Campbell and Vaughn Taylor (USA) halved Colin Montgomerie and Lee Westwood (Europe)
Paul Casey and David Howell (Europe) bt Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson (USA) 5 and 4
Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods (USA) bt Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley (Europe) 3 and 2
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