Fowler comeback in vain
Rickie Fowler came from three down with three to play to earn a half against Edoardo Molinari - although the US still lost the Ryder Cup.
Last Updated: 04/10/10 5:29pm
Rickie Fowler won the last three holes of his singles with Edoardo Molinari to earn the United States a stunning half point - although it ultimately did not save them from Ryder Cup defeat at Celtic Manor.
Fowler, the 21-year-old rookie, looked doomed in the ninth match of the day after falling four down through 10 as Molinari won four out of five from the eighth.
He reduced his deficit to three down by winning the 13th with a par three but the next two were both shared to leave Molinari dormie three.
At that point, the United States were 13-12 down with three matches still out on the course.
Molinari lost the par-four 16th after finding rough off the tee and taking bogey but looked in good shape to clinch victory at the 17th after both players hit superb tee shots into the par three.
However, the Italian's birdie putt swung across the hole to narrowly stay above ground and, with the tension close to unbearable, Fowler rammed his into the middle of the cup to ensure the contest went all the way.
Drama
And more drama followed at the 575-yard, par-five 18th; both laying up before safely finding the green with their respective thirds - Molinari 30 feet away, Fowler half that distance.
Molinari, who joined his brother Francesco for a Ryder Cup debut as one of captain Colin Montgomerie's three wildcards, rolled his effort close enough to be conceded.
That left Fowler with the chance to complete a remarkable recovery - and it never looked in doubt as his putt meandered down to the hole and dropped in.
At around the same time, over on the 16th green, Zach Johnson was completing a 3&2 win over Padraig Harrington to tie the overall score at 13½-13½, with just the final match between Hunter Mahan and Graeme McDowell still to finish.
McDowell, however, held his nerve to complete a 3&1 success that ensured the Ryder Cup will reside in Europe for the next two years.
