Woods, Furyk win but Europe remain in charge
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-20 11:03

Holders Europe were on track to retain the Ryder Cup after resisting a fast start by the United States in the last-day singles on Sunday.

 Although Tiger Woods secured the first point of the day, beating Briton Paul Casey 3 & 2, and Jim Furyk followed with a 6 & 4 win against rookie David Howell, Europe were ahead in eight of the remaining matches and down in two.

 The Americans, starting at 11-5 down, had kept alive their faint hopes of a miracle comeback by going ahead in six of the first 10 singles encounters, but Europe rallied in bright afternoon sunshine at Oakland Hills.

 Needing just three more points from the 12 singles to retain the trophy they won at The Belfry in 2002, Europe regained the momentum as the galleries of 40,000 became more subdued.

 "My emotions are up and down," European captain Bernhard Langer told NBC television. "It's a very, very close match right now.

 "It will probably come down to the last two or three matches out on the course."

 Woods said after his victory helped the US to 11-7 down: "I think it's crucial for the guys behind us if they are down to at least just get a half a point somehow and don't give them a full point. If we can do that you never know what can happen."

 The Americans, who had started out in inspired mood after an emotional team meeting on Saturday night, were ahead in only two other singles.

 TWO UP

 Chad Campbell, also making his debut in the event, led Briton Luke Donald by four after 11 and Davis Love III was two up on Briton Darren Clarke, after 14.

 Europe, though, led the US in the five bottom matches while Spaniard Sergio Garcia was two up on Phil Mickelson, after 15 holes, and Lee Westwood was one up on Kenny Perry after 13.

 Garcia had trailed US Masters champion Mickelson by two after eight holes but reeled off birdies on nine, 10 and 11 to take control.

 The Americans had started out facing a near-impossible task to overhaul the Europeans, who finished day two a record six points ahead of the home team.

 No team in Ryder Cup history since the first match in 1927 has lost with such an advantage, although the US did famously overturn a 10-6 deficit at Brookline in 1999.

 US captain Sutton predictably packed the upper half of his singles sheet with his biggest guns, but Langer predicted only one US victory from world number two Woods, second-ranked Mickelson and fifth-ranked Love. 

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