clarke and casey delighted
Casey - sank putt for crucial half.
By Mark Garrod, PA Sport Golf Correspondent
Darren Clarke and Paul Casey spoke of their joy at taking Europe closer to more Ryder Cup glory on Saturday. Clarke and Lee Westwood sent star American pair Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk to yet another defeat, with the Ulsterman bringing the crowd to their feet by thrillingly chipping in for victory at the long 16th. "People said we were a gamble, but two of the people most sure it was not were us," said Clarke, a wild-card pick along with his close friend only a month after his wife Heather died of cancer. "We enjoy each other's company so much." It was the third time they had combined to beat Woods in the Ryder Cup, while Clarke was now got the better of the world number one on four out of six occasions altogether and Westwood five out of six. Casey, as he did at the same stage in the record nine-point win two years ago, sank a crucial putt on the last green - this time for a half with Robert Karlsson against JJ Henry and Stewart Cink. Henry had just eagled the 16th and birdied the 17th to take his side from one down to one up, but he three-putted the par five last and Casey birdied from four feet. "I've three-putted this green so many times to know he didn't have it in the bag (when Henry was on in two)," commented Casey, who a week ago won the £1million World Match Play and insisted he still wanted to win the Ryder Cup more. Clarke, who last week played his first tournament since the Open in July, was again rested from the foursomes. But he had earned two points out of two so far, the first morning having seen him and Westwood beat Mickelson and DiMarco. Casey, number one of the European Order of Merit, also did not get to play either foursomes. He and Karlsson twice halved with Cink and Henry.
