UK: GOLF: Europe lead U.S. by three going into final day of rain-delayed Ryder Cup

Record ID: 784644

  • Title: UK: GOLF: Europe lead U.S. by three going into final day of rain-delayed Ryder Cup
  • Date: 4th October 2010
  • Summary: NEWPORT, WALES, UK (OCTOBER 3, 2010) (REUTERS) NEWS CONFERENCE BY EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE SAYING: "And it's been, what, 20 years since I first started playing in the Ryder Cup. I truly believe that that was one of the greatest days for European golf that we've had; to turn a two point deficit into a three point lead was quite amazing today" NEWS CONFERENCE BY EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE SAYING: "But that's our goal, just to win the single session as if it's tied tomorrow and there'll be nobody, nobody backing down from that goal tomorrow at all" NEWS CONFERENCE BY EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE SAYING OF THE MOLINARI BROTHERS: "You know, Francesco backed up by his brother; to do what they did at the last hole, two rookies, two brothers coming down that last hole with everybody that plays golf in Europe watching them; fantastic performance to hole that putt at the last by Francesco" NEWS CONFERENCE BY EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE SAYING OF TIGER WOODS PLAYING IN 8TH SINGLES ON MONDAY AND PHIL MICKELSON 10TH: "It does surprise me that match eight and match 10 contain (numbers) one and two in the world, but at the same time it is a very, very -- and let me say this, it is a very strong American line-up, the same as ours and this job has not, has not been done yet" NEWS CONFERENCE BY EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPE RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COLIN MONTGOMERIE SAYING: "There was method. There was method in everything I've done here, from the moment I've been selected as Ryder Cup captain there's been method in what I've been doing here, right? There is method in selecting Padraig Harrington on this team. He spoke brilliantly last night in the team room, he's been brilliant off the course and he's been brilliant on it" VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE BY USA RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COREY PAVIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) USA RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COREY PAVIN SAYING: "And I watched 12 men out there that fought hard and held their heads high, played every shot hard and we got a couple of matches to 18. I saw our guys fighting and not getting quite the result that we aree looking for, but we nearly did, so I was very proud of them, pleased with their effort and I'm sure tomorrow obviously they know what they need to do" NEWS CONFERENCE BY USA RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COREY PAVIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) USA RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COREY PAVIN SAYING: "But I have confidence in the guys. I liked what I saw out there today, even thought the results weren't what we wanted. You know as far as I know the event is over tomorrow. The Ryder Cup's over tomorrow, not today" NEWS CONFERENCE BY USA RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COREY PAVIN (SOUNDBITE) (English) USA RYDER CUP CAPTAIN COREY PAVIN SAYING: "Got to give, you know, Colin's team a lot of credit for their fight and their heart as well" VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE BY MOST OF EUROPE RYDER CUP TEAM
  • Embargoed: 19th October 2010 13:00
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  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAQGY9JSCQBNM2ZKW0TGGNYMX4
  • Story Text: Europe Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie on Sunday (October 3) acclaimed "one of the greatest days for European golf" after his team fought back from a two-point overnight deficit to lead by three going into Monday's delayed singles.
    Europe's captain had said on Saturday he was desperate to get back to 8-all, but his players exceeded his wildest dreams to win five and share one of the day's six pairs matches to lead 9 1/2 - 6 1/2.
    "...it's been, what, 20 years since I first started playing in the Ryder Cup. I truly believe that that was one of the greatest days for European golf that we've had; to turn a two point deficit into a three point lead was quite amazing today," an exhausted Montgomerie told a news conference at the end of another rain-delayed day's action at Celtic Manor in Newport, Wales.
    Montgomerie flitted from match to match throughout the day, but cut a relatively calm figure greenside as he sat glued to his walkie-talkie with information on every shot played by his team being relayed his way by his assistants.
    He said they were approaching Monday's singles as if the competition were tied.
    "But that's our goal, just to win the single session as if it's tied tomorrow and there'll be nobody, nobody backing down from that goal tomorrow at all," he said.
    The 47-year-old Scot priased Italy's Molinari brothers, Francesco and Edoardo, who halved their match at the last hole.
    "You know, Francesco backed up by his brother; to do what they did at the last hole, two rookies, two brothers coming down that last hole with everybody that plays golf in Europe watching them; fantastic performance to hole that putt at the last by Francesco," said Montgomerie.
    He also expressed surprise that world numbers one and two, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, were playing in the 8th and 10th singles respectively on Monday, given that Europe could win the cup before they finish.
    "It does surprise me that match eight and match 10 contain one and two in the world, but at the same time it is a very, very -- and let me say this, it is a very strong American line-up, the same as ours and this job has not, has not been done yet."
    He also defended his choice of Padraig Harrington.
    "There was method. There was method in everything I've done here, from the moment I've been selected as Ryder Cup captain there's been method in what I've been doing here, right? There is method in selecting Padraig Harrington on this team. He spoke brilliantly last night in the team room, he's been brilliant off the course and he's been brilliant on it," said Montgomerie.
    U.S. Captain Corey Pavin said his team was capable of overturning Europe's 9-1/2 - 6 1/2 lead in the final-day singles.
    "...I watched 12 men out there that fought hard and held their heads high, played every shot hard and we got a couple of matches to 18. I saw our guys fighting and not getting quite the result that we aree looking for, but we nearly did, so I was very proud of them, pleased with their effort and I'm sure tomorrow obviously they know what they need to do," Pavin told a news conference on Sunday.
    Rather than dwell on the negatives, Pavin tried to boost morale among his battered troops by praising the spirit of his players on Sunday.
    "...I have confidence in the guys. I liked what I saw out there today, even thought the results weren't what we wanted. You know as far as I know the event is over tomorrow. The Ryder Cup's over tomorrow, not today," said the USA captain.
    He also acknowledged the Europe team's efforts on Sunday.
    "Got to give, you know, Colin's team a lot of credit for their fight and their heart as well."
    Europe's Lee Westwood told journalists: "We tried to impress on the people who hadn't played in the Ryder Cup before, in the locker room, that they (USA) were going to come out fast, (so) be ready for it and we were going to come out faster, or try to; not giving too much away, not let our guard down. It's very difficult when you've got six blues on the board overnight to convert those chances."
    Padraig Harrington said it was "the Sunday we probably all dreamt about at the start of the week. Unfortunately, there's a Monday..."
    Ian Poulter commented: "It just shows how strong this side is. We, you know, we kept our noses in front and you know what, looking at that board, seeing a sea of blue, is huge motivation to keep knocking it close and keep knocking those putts in."
    Northern Irish playing partners and close friends Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy said they were keen to get back out on the course -- and play together in future Ryder Cups.
    "...last night, last night we felt great. The team room was elated, but we were very keen to make sure we got back on that course today and realised that Team USA were going to be fired up and they were going to come after us and it was important to keep the foot down and you know it was great to get our point on the board and obviously the group in front as well," said McDowell.
    McIlroy commented: "I mean, the team's great, but I just, you know would, you know have felt more comfortable with G-Mc ((Graeme McDowell) out there than I would with anyone else. But you know, it's been fantastic, you know, as Graeme said to play with one of your best friends in the Ryder Cup, it's very, very special and you know, hopefully we've got a few more Ryder Cups in us so we can play alongside each other again."
    Singles draw for Monday's final day of the 38th Ryder Cup between Europe and the U.S. holders at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales (European players first): OVERALL SCORE - EUROPE 9.5 U.S. 6.5 Lee Westwood v Steve Stricker Rory McIlroy v Stewart Cink Luke Donald v Jim Furyk Martin Kaymer v Dustin Johnson Ian Poulter v Matt Kuchar Ross Fisher v Jeff Overton Miguel Angel Jimenez v Bubba Watson Francesco Molinari v Tiger Woods Edoardo Molinari v Rickie Fowler Peter Hanson v Phil Mickelson Padraig Harrington v Zach Johnson Graeme McDowell v Hunter Mahan
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