EUROPE take a remarkable three-point lead into the Monday singles at the Ryder Cup after a quite stunning session at Celtic Manor.

From 6-4 down overnight Colin Montgomerie will go into the fourth day - needed for the first time in the event's history because of yet another rain delay - with a 9 1/2-6 1/2 lead over the stunned Americans.

"It is the Sunday we have probably all dreamt about,’’ said Padraig Harrington. "Unfortunately there is a Monday.’’ With Italian Francesco Molinari birdieing the final hole of the day to grab a half with his brother Edoardo, Corey Pavin's side look in all sorts of trouble as they try to retain the trophy.

With Tiger Woods crashing to the worst match play defeat of his whole career and Phil Mickelson becoming the American with more defeats than any other since the contest started in 1927, it is going to take a monumental effort to turn the tide.

Europe need only four of the 12 singles to triumph. The United States, who have not won away since 1993, will have to take 7 1/2 points for a tie that would enable them to return home with the cup.

No wonder Montgomerie beamed after his men had dropped only half a point in the competition's first six-game session.

"That's incredible what happened there,’’ he said.

"All credit to every one of them. This is what the word momentum is all about and when Woods loses 6&5 (to an inspired Lee Westwood and Luke Donald) that helped us all through.

"It was a fantastic day and my singles order has changed now. The best I thought we could do was 8-8.’’ A much less happy Pavin said: "I am really proud of the guys because they fought hard and hopefully we can figure out how to do it.’’ He will be presumably be reminding Woods, Mickelson and the rest that in Boston in 1999 they trailed 10-6 and won. But the rowdy crowd played a part there and they do not have that help now.