subject: Europe's Ross Fisher and his caddy [print this page] Dustin Johnson, who joined Mickelson as the only American without a point, and Jim Furyk were on the cusp of a big rally until Johnson three-putted for bogey on the 14th to fall 2-down. They never caught up against Padraig Harrington and Ross Fisher.
Jeff Overton introduced a new cheer to the European crowd -- "Booooom, baby!!" -- when he holed a shot from the fairway for eagle on the eighth. He and Bubba Watson squared the match, only for Peter Hanson to make a crucial birdie for the halve on the 15th, and Miguel Jimenez to deliver a pivotal 15-foot birdie on the 16th in a 2-up victory.
Fowler holed out from a bunker for eagle on the 11th, and Mickelson's birdie on the 13th helped the Americans tie their match. Mickelson then missed putts inside 8 feet to lose the next two holes, keeping European blue on the mlb jerseys board.
"I saw guys fighting and not getting the result we were looking for," U.S. captain Corey Pavin said. "But we nearly did."
The fans were swaying, stomping and singing a tune now so familiar to the Americans -- "Ole, ole, ole, ole" -- as Europe marched confidently off the 18th green and into the team room, momentum and history on its side.
Only once since this format began in 1979 has Europe had the lead going into the final round and failed to win. That was in 1999 at Brookline, when the Americans overcame a 10-6 deficit behind a home crowd that was raucous and unruly.
Montgomerie brought up those ugly memories when he met with his squad Sunday night after the matches.
"All this would be pointless today if this isn't continued tomorrow," Montgomerie said. "Yes, we are tired. The USA team must be tired, as well. But there's no resting here for our team. We are going here as if it's tied to try and win the singles nfl jersey session. That's our goal. And there will be nobody backing down from that goal tomorrow."
Pavin, a stoic personality throughout the week, was reminded of that great American comeback in 1999, when U.S. captain Ben Crenshaw said he was a big believer in fate and added ominously, "I have a good feeling about this."
As for Pavin?
"Ben's Ben, and I'm me," Pavin said. "I'm going to put the guys out in the order that I think gives us the best chance to win mlb jerseys."
Montgomerie is leading off with strength -- Westwood against Stricker, and the top part of his Monday lineup is loaded with some of his best performers at Celtic Manor, with McIlroy, Poulter and Donald at the top.
Pavin has Woods in the eighth spot against Francesco Molinari, while Mickelson is at No. 10 against Hanson. Then again, it's hard to figure out who is playing well for the Americans this week -- especially after the beating they took on Sunday.
"We're going to try to close the gap and see if we can make a run at this," Mickelson said.
