Ryder Cup 2012: Europe can stage comeback, says Paul Lawrie
- From the section Golf
Paul Lawrie insists Europe can still retain the Ryder Cup despite trailing the United States 10-6 going into Sunday's singles matches at Medinah.
Jose Maria Olazabal's side need to replicate the biggest comeback in cup history to retain the trophy.
"There's still 12 singles matches tomorrow," said Lawrie. "We can all win tomorrow and why not?
"It's certainly not over. It would be nice to make a big comeback, so we'll see what happens."
Both Olazabal and Lawrie know from bitter personal experience that it is possible.
Both men were in the European side that led by the same score at Brookline in 1999, only to lose the first six singles matches and the overall contest by a single point.
It with a superb US comeback marred by the infamous invasion of the 17th green during Olazabal's clash with Justin Leonard.
"It's always possible," said 43-year-old Lawrie, whose win over Jeff Maggert in the final match that day was one of only three for the European side.
"Until it's impossible to do it, then you fight on, certainly for Jose Maria this week.
"No-one is going to be giving up."
It took two remarkable last-hole wins by Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter and Rory McIlroy to trail by only four points, but Lawrie added: "It's all about putting.
"Ryder Cup always has been.
"All the players are top players, world-class players. We can all play, it's just a matter of who holes the putts and today the American boys holed the putts at the right time."
Lawrie, making his first appearance in the contest since Brookline and the year of his Open Championship win, suffered his second fourballs defeat on Saturday, partnering Nicolas Colsaerts to a one-hole loss to Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar.
The Scot managed only one birdie in 18 holes but made a crucial par on the 16th to get back to all square before Johnson holed from 22ft for a decisive birdie two on the 17th.
Olazabal has put his top performers early in an attempt to put points on the board and put pressure on the USA.
Lawrie goes out fifth and faces Brandt Snedeker, winner of this month's PGA Tour Championship, who has won one and lost one in the foursomes so far.
He partnered Jim Furyk to a win over Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell before losing to the same opponents.
Sunday's singles pairings (USA first):
Bubba Watson v Luke Donald - 17:03 BST
Webb Simpson v Ian Poulter - 17:14 BST
Keegan Bradley v Rory McIlroy - 17:25 BST
Phil Mickelson v Justin Rose - 17:36 BST
Brandt Snedeker v Paul Lawrie - 17:47 BST
Dustin Johnson v Nicolas Colsaerts - 17:58 BST
Zach Johnson v Graeme McDowell - 18:09 BST
Jim Furyk v Sergio Garcia - 18:20 BST
Jason Dufner v Peter Hanson - 18:31 BST
Matt Kuchar v Lee Westwood - 18:42 BST
Steve Stricker v Martin Kaymer - 18:53 BST
Tiger Woods v Francesco Molinari - 19:04 BST