Montgomerie leads European victory charge

The man who holed the winning putt two years ago was handed the task of leading Europe’s bid for an unprecedented third straight Ryder Cup victory today.

Colin Montgomerie beat David Toms on the final green at Oakland Hills in 2004, and was up against the 2001 US PGA champion again on a damp morning at the K Club. However, this time it was the first match out rather than the sixth as European captain Ian Woosnam looked to Montgomerie to get his side off to the perfect start.

Leading 10-6 after winning each of the previous four sessions by a point, Europe needed just four more points from the 12 singles to retain the trophy, and four and a half to win it outright.

Montgomerie was greeted with a deafening roar as he reached the first tee in heavy rain, and despite the incredible pressure both he and Toms somehow found the fairway with their opening drives.

Water was gathering in the bunkers but the greens looked in remarkably good shape and both players narrowly missed birdie putts as the first was halved in par.