McIlroy trails as Europe lead in five games

Rory McIlroy is currently down by one shot against America's Stewart Cink after eight holes of their singles match at the Ryder Cup in Celtic Manor.

However, Europe are up in five games and down in three with Luke Donald steaming ahead of Jim Fuyrk by three shots.

The rollercoaster nature of McIlroy's match continued at pace when Cink went one up after five, only for his opponent to immediately wipe out that advantage at the next.

While they traded blow for blow and Ross Fisher – a major player in yesterday’s European masterclass – birdied from 10 feet on the first against Jeff Overton, Kaymer’s problems continued.

This time, he three-putted on the third, gifting Johnson a two-shot lead, yet it remained the only red colour on the scoreboard as Montgomerie’s men took charge.

And it was his major players who were doing him proud, with Westwood, Donald and Poulter all up in their matches, while Fisher, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Francesco Molinari also led behind them.

Molinari wasted no time in announcing his arrival against Woods, taking a first-hole lead as the American’s Celtic calamity continued less than 24 hours after he suffered the heaviest match play defeat of his professional career - 6&5 against Westwood and Donald.

A rampant Donald then went three up after six against a shell-shocked Furyk, and the United States were reeling under a birdie barrage.

Score: Europe 9.5 USA 6.5

Singles matches scores for the 38th Ryder Cup, Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, Wales

(Europe names first, all times Irish Time)

Lee Westwood 1 up on Steve Stricker - after 9 holes

Rory McIlroy 1 down against Stewart Cink - 8

Luke Donald 3 up on Jim Furyk - 6

Martin Kaymer 2 down against Dustin Johnson - 6

Ian Poulter 2 up on Matt Kuchar - 5

Ross Fisher 2 up on Jeff Overton - 3

Miguel Angel Jimenez all square with Bubba Watson - 2

Francesco Molinari 2 up on Tiger Woods - 2

Edoardo Molinari all square with Rickie Fowler - 1

Peter Hanson 1 down against Phil Mickelson - 1

Match 11: 11.05 Padraig Harrington v Zach Johnson

Match 12: 11.17 Graeme McDowell v Hunter Mahan