4 Oct 2010

Lee Westwood will spearhead Europe's Ryder Cup hunt

11:33 pm on 4 October 2010

Lee Westwood will spearhead Europe's hunt for the five points they need to regain golf's Ryder Cup from the United States tonight.

After heavy rain laid waste to the Celtic Manor schedule over the weekend, the match enters a fourth day for the first time with Europe strong favourites after surging into a 9-1/2 to 6-1/2 lead.

Captain Colin Montgomerie is going for an early kill with Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter playing the first five matches.

U.S. skipper Corey Pavin has top-loaded his order with experience, sending out Steve Stricker to face Westwood, Stewart Cink against McIlroy and Jim Furyk to play Donald.

World number one Tiger Woods, hammered 6&5 with Stricker in a fourball against Donald and Westwood on Sunday, will hope to redeem himself against Francesco Molinari in the eighth game.

Phil Mickelson, still waiting for his first point, is down the order at 10 against Swede Peter Hanson and will need to rediscover his form if the U.S., who only need to draw 14-14 to retain the trophy, are to mount a comeback.