U.S. Faces Long Cup Odds Europeans Race To 9-4 Lead In Battle For Ryder Supremacy

Europe took charge at the Ryder Cup today, winning five matches and halving two to grab a commanding 9-4 lead over the United States.

The Europeans moved into a strong position to retain the Cup they won in 1995 at Oak Hill in Rochester, N.Y. They need to win five of the remaining 15 points to hold onto the trophy.

Sunday’s play will feature the completion of three suspended alternateshot (foursome) matches, followed by 12 singles matches.

Only four times in the event’s 70-year history has a team won the Cup after trailing going into the singles. No team has come from more than two points down to win.

“It’s not insurmountable,” U.S. captain Tom Kite said. “We’re going to have to play like crazy, but it’s not insurmountable.”

Nick Faldo and Colin Montgomerie produced two points apiece as the Europeans surged to a remarkable five-point advantage going into the final day at Valderrama.

Veterans Ian Woosnam, Jose Maria Olazabal and Bernhard Langer also contributed vital points against the favored Americans. So did all five of Europe’s rookies - Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn, Jesper Parnevik and Ignacio Garrido.

“They did all the great things they needed to do, and we didn’t,” Kite said. “I came out with what I thought were some outstanding pairings. I thought we would have a great morning. We started strong, but then they righted the ship on the back nine. They severely outputted us.”

As darkness fell, Europe won its ninth point when Montgomerie and Langer beat Lee Janzen and Jim Furyk 1-up in the foursomes - the eighth out of the first 13 matches to go to the 18th hole.

For the second straight day, play was delayed by fierce thunderstorms and not all the matches could be completed.

In the suspended matches, Europe was ahead in one, the Americans led one and the third was even.

Scott Hoch and Jeff Maggert were 1-up on Faldo and Westwood after 14; Olazabal and Costantino Rocca led 1-up against Fred Couples and Davis Love III after four, and Parvenik-Garrido were level with Tiger Woods and Justin Leonard after seven.

“If we’re going to get back in the Ryder Cup, something has to happen tomorrow with those three matches,” Kite said.

In winning three better-ball (four-ball) matches, the Europeans beat U.S. teams that featured Masters champion Woods, British Open winner Leonard and PGA champ Love.

“I thought we could get a lot of points and start to pull away,” said Phil Mickelson, who combined with Tom Lehman to halve two matches today. “We had three of the four major winners, and somehow the Europeans found a way to beat them. You’ve got to give them credit.”

Lehman was less charitable, saying the Americans should dominate the Europeans in Sunday’s 12 singles matches.

“I feel these guys can be had,” he said. “There hasn’t been one (European) guy who has played well from start to finish. It’s been just ham and eggs… . If you can play steady golf for 18 holes, you can take them down. I like our chances in the singles.”

Faldo broke the all-time Ryder Cup points record when he and Westwood won their suspended alternate-shot (foursome) match against Leonard and Maggert.

The victory gave Faldo a career total of 24 points in Ryder Cup play, breaking Billy Casper’s record of 23-1/2. On Friday, the 40-year-old Englishman made history by appearing in his 11th Ryder Cup.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY ON TV Ryder Cup: 8 a.m., NBC (tape)