However, the international duo started to find their rhythm after the turn, chalking up a win at the 10th hole which was followed by another at the 13th that reduced Donald and Dougherty’s lead to just two holes.

Singh’s 60-foot putt from just off the green at the 15th reduced the deficit to one hole and they drew level on the 16th before Donald was forced to hole a lengthy par putt on the 18th to earn a share of the spoils.

Henrik Stenson and Welshman Bradley Dredge picked up the first point of the day for Montgomerie's side when they cruised to victory over Australian duo Peter Senior and Paul Sheehan.

Despite losing the first hole, Stenson and Dredge were four up after nine and, despite losing the 10th, eventually won 4&3.

The afternoon, however, was a nightmare for Montgomerie and his American playing partner Chris DiMarco who struggled right from the off against Goosen and Michael Campbell, losing the first two holes before pulling one back on the third.

The comeback was shortlived, though, with the Ryder Cup pairing losing the next four holes in a row to lie five down after seven.

They clawed back one hole at the eighth before going back to five down at the 11th and the international duo put themselves in an unassailable position with another win at the 12.

Montgomerie and DiMarco delayed the inevitable by winning the 13th but a half at the 14th saw the International team seal a 5&4 win.

It was an equally disappointing day for Paul Casey and Alejandro Canizares, who trailed for all but the first four holes of their contest with South Korea’s KJ Choi and Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand before losing 3&2 to the international pairing.