Harrington and Monty beat Mickleson and Toms

Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington bt Phil Mickelson and David Toms 2&1

Montgomerie made it three-and-a-half points out of four, dodgy back and all, with another thrilling win over the Americans’ strongest pairing.

Mickelson and Toms had matched Montgomerie’s record of two-wins-and-a-half in the first three matches, but found the former European number one a tougher nut to crack.

Montgomerie was in imperious form on the front nine despite feeling the effects of his fourth match in two days, the Scot making three birdies in the first five holes to help his team to three up.

Harrington’s second birdie was only good enough for a half on the sixth however, Mickelson’s two at the seventh reduced the gap, Montgomerie’s birdie at the eighth put it back to three.

Back came Mickelson with birdies at the ninth and 10th, Montgomerie birdied the 11th and when Mickelson birdied the 12th from five feet, only one hole out of the first 12 had not been won or halved with a birdie.

Rare pars did follow on the 13th before Montgomerie restored normal service with a birdie from 25 feet on the 14th to go two up.

Par was good enough to win the next three holes, Mickelson leaving a birdie putt short on the 17th to take the match down the last.