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The European team needs eight points to retain the Ryder Cup, and the first six matches are currently all-square or led by Jose Maria Olazabal's squad.
All 12 singles matches are out on the course at Medinah, and the European team is trying to pull of a Sunday miracle to retain the Ryder Cup. The Euros need to earn eight of a possible 12 points, with halves making things considerably harder. The first six matches are critical for Europe, and the U.S. team does not currently lead in any of them.
Olazabal sent out Ryder Cup veteran Luke Donald to get the first point, and the Englishman has responded by dominating his match against Bubba Watson. Donald jumped in front on the second hole and has never looked back, steadily building his lead against the American fan favorite. Donald kicked it into high gear on the back side, winning back-to-back holes on 11 and 12 to go 4-up. Watson is trying to make things interesting, winning his first hole on No. 15 to get things dormie.
Europe leads in five of the remaining 11 matches, with three all-square and America leading in three. Paul Lawrie, the Scot who has not earned a point this week, is also well ahead of rookie Brandt Snedeker. Lawrie is playing the best golf of his life, and was an unexpected member of the European team after a 13-year hiatus from Ryder Cup play. He had an unbelievable chip-in on No. 4 and now leads Snedeker 3-up after nine holes.
Steve Stricker, Jason Dufner, and Zach Johnson all lead their matches for the USA. Dufner and Johnson have been two of the steadier players for Davis Love III, and they could end up being the clinching points on Sunday. Johnson is 3-up on the struggling Graeme McDowell through the first eight holes.
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