Europe’s knockout blow

THOSE convinced that European success in this Ryder Cup is a foregone conclusion should temper their optimism with a little caution and remember the happenings at Brookline in 1999.

Admittedly, it’s easy to be swept along on yesterday’s tide of blue. Colin Montgomerie’s team leads 9½ to 6½ and seem to ready to deliver the knockout blow today after winning yesterday’s weather interrupted third session by a magnificent 5½ to ½.

On Saturday evening, Montgomerie demanded more passion from his team. Even as tough a taskmaster as Monty could hardly complain at the response he received and in turn he was in no frame of mind to feel any sympathy for the Americans.