Ian Poulter holes a birdie putt on the 18th green

Both sides won one match with two others halved in the afternoon fourballs to leave the US with a 9-7 lead in a competition that will be decided when all 12 players from each side square off in head-to-head singles matches.

The Americans are trying to pry the Cup loose from Europe, who have won the last three meetings and five from the last six.

The United States last won the trophy in 1999.

Pressure point

Europe sliced a point from the US lead of three in the morning foursomes and were in position to draw even closer in a final series of holes of agonising pressure.

Dramatic moments on the greens had putts roll tantalisingly over edges, die just short, lip around and out, and once fall in after spinning 360-degrees around the hole.

In the end, Europe's Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell beat Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk 1-up to neutralise Boo Weekley and JB Holmes' earlier 2 and 1 win against Lee Westwood and Soren Hansen.

Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey halved with Americans Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis, whose compatriots Phil Mickelson and Hunter Mahan also finished all square against Swedes Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson.

Team man

Britain's Westwood was more concerned about losing a point than worrying about the fact that his unbeaten Ryder Cup run of 12 matches finally ended at Valhalla.

"It was more about winning points for the team than an individual record," Westwood said after the US duo sealed victory with matching pars on the 17th green.

"The Ryder Cup is not about individuals. It's about the team. While it's nice to be tied with Arnold (Palmer), it's disappointing to have not won a point."

The Englishman had completed a run of seven wins and five halves in 12 matches, dating back to the start of the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills, to draw level with Palmer.

Working the crowd

Boo Weekley came under fire for his antics on Friday

Westwood had complained about Weekley's orchestration of the crowd the previous day in a foursomes encounter between the same pairings but he applauded the American's behaviour on Saturday.

"He apologised last night, which is the kind of man he is," said Westwood, who is playing in his sixth Ryder Cup. "He's a nice guy and we get on really well.

"He didn't do it in between the shots like he did yesterday so he's obviously learned."

On Friday, the arm-waving Weekley had repeatedly exhorted cheers and friendly 'boos' from the crowd before the Americans halved a tight match with the Europeans.

"You walk a fine line when you start doing that sort of thing - using the crowd to your advantage when you're at home," Westwood had said of Weekley's antics.

"I don't mind when they're raising their arms and whooping the crowd up. But when Boo holed it from off the back, I've still got a putt for a half. There's no need to do it between the shots."

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