Colin Montgomerie had set Europe on the winning road in the singles by seeing off Scott Hoch 5&4 to cap a great weekend on a personal note for the Scot.

Padraig Harrington was the next to earn the home side a point when he overcame US veteran Mark Calcavecchia by the same score.

German veteran Bernhard Langer took his personal tally for the weekend to three and a half points with a 4&3 triumph over Hal Sutton.

David Toms regained some ground for the US by coming back to beat Sergio Garcia after the Spaniard had led by one hole with two left to play.

Darren Clarke and David Duval halved their match to keep Europe’s winning momentum going and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn then secured a 2&1 win over Stewart Cink as US captain Curtis Strange’s policy of saving his best players until the later matches appeared to have backfired.

Scott Verplank cut the deficit to two and a half points (12 1/2- 10 1/2) with a victory over Lee Westwood.

Phillip Price upset the odds to beat world number two Phil Mickelson 3&2.

Sweden’s Niclas Fasth could have been the man to seal the cup for Europe had it not been for an amazing chip out of the bunker from Paul Azinger to claim a birdie on the 18th and halve the match, taking the score to 14-11, leaving Europe requiring just a half for victory.

And McGinley duly obliged with a putt to halve his match against Furyk, sparking wild celebrations at the 18th hole.