Europe surges to Ryder Cup lead

Associated Press

NEWPORT, WALES

Europe could only dream of a Sunday like this at the Ryder Cup. It gave Tiger Woods his worst beating ever, hit all the right shots to spur on its foot-stomping, flag-waving crowd and kept the Americans from winning a single match.

Too bad this one won’t end until today.

The Europeans already had reason to be in a festive mood amid the rain and muck of Celtic Manor.

Bolstered by the sight of blue on every leaderboard, they won five matches and halved the last one when Francesco Molinari knocked in a 3-foot birdie putt and celebrated with his brother, Edoardo. That stretched their lead to 91/2-61/2.

Europe needs to win only five of the 12 singles match to reclaim the gold trophy.

Lee Westwood, Europe’s leader in the team room and on the golf course, inspired from the start. He teamed with Luke Donald to demoralize Woods and Steve Stricker, who had never lost in six previous matches. Europe was 4 up when the matches resumed, and Westwood promptly knocked in a 30-foot birdie putt to win the hole.

More big putts followed until they had a 6-and-5 victory, the biggest rout of the week.

PGA champion Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter held off a rally to beat Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler. Mickelson set an American record with his 17th loss and headed into singles without having contributed a point.