U.S. takes 10-6 Ryder Cup lead over Europe

MEDINAH, Ill., Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker keyed the United States' dominance in foursomes Saturday, helping the Americans post a 10-6 lead over Europe in the Ryder Cup.

Furyk and Snedeker's 1-up victory over the highly touted European tandem of world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell finished a run of three straight U.S. foursome wins in the morning session at Medinah Country Club.

Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley improved to 3-0 for the week with a 7 & 6 drubbing of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, while Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson posted a 2 & 1 victory over Sergio Garcia and Nicolas Colsaerts.

That gave the United States a four-point lead, which it retained following a split in the afternoon four-ball sessions.

Europe, however, stayed somewhat within striking distance by taking the final two events.

Ian Poulter used five birdies over the last five holes to give himself and McIlroy a 1-up victory over Dufner and Johnson, while the tandem of Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia registered a 1-up decision over Tigers Woods and Steve Stricker.

The Europeans, however, need to equal the biggest comeback in Ryder Cup history Sunday to pull out a victory.