The U.S. Ryder Cup team, wounded after a first day mauling, launched a fierce fightback on Saturday to keep their hopes alive with two wins and a halved fourball rubber.

But a brave recovery by European rookies Paul Casey and David Howell, who beat Jim Furyk and Chad Campbell by one hole, ensured their team led going into the Saturday afternoon foursomes by 8-4.

The Americans were trailing 6 1/2-1 1/2 points overnight but Tiger Woods and rookie Chris Riley answered U.S. skipper Hal Sutton's call for more aggression with a crushing 4&3 win over out-of-sorts Darren Clarke and Ian Poulter.

The Europeans had the chance to restore their five-point advantage shortly afterwards but Lee Westwood, paired with Sergio Garcia, missed an eight-footer for victory over Jay Haas and Chris DiMarco.

Behind them, Europe's Padraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie, twice winners in Friday's play, never rediscovered their touch on the greens and were defeated by Stewart Cink and Davis Love 3&2.

The remaining match was delicately poised with former U.S. Open champion Furyk and Campbell one-up on rookies Casey and Howell with two to play but the Americans lost the final holes.

Casey, who spends much of his time playing in the U.S., wrapped up a vital victory for Europe with a nerve-wracking three-footer on the slick 18th green.

European captain Bernhard Langer said: "From losing a point after 16 to winning 17 with a birdie and 18 with a par, two of the most difficult, dramatic holes out here, by two rookies was just unbelievable."

The results meant the U.S. still had plenty of ground to make up with 16 points remaining up for grabs. Europe need 14 to retain the trophy and the Americans 14 1/2 to win it.

World number two Woods was badly criticised after losing twice on Friday with U.S. Masters holder Phil Mickelson, who paid for his poor performance by being dropped by Sutton.

He seemed far happier playing with his former college rival Riley but their European rivals never gelled and a first-hole miss of three feet by Clarke set the tone.

A majestic mid-iron for birdie at the short 13th left Woods and Riley four-up and they closed out at the 15th.

"We got it going today," said Woods. "We made a few birdies early and the Europeans made a couple of mistakes which gave us a little bit of an edge. From there we played real solid golf."

His partner Riley said: "The Europeans kicked our butt yesterday and we were embarrassed. We had to come out swinging early and we did."

Westwood, who had never previously halved a Ryder Cup match in three appearances, was still exhilarated after his match despite missed putts for victory at the last two holes.

"It was a great match. We went two down early on so we did well to fight back. We just missed too many putts really."

In the afternoon foursomes, Clarke and Westwood were to face Haas and DiMarco, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Thomas Levet were paired with Mickelson and David Toms, Garcia and Luke Donald had to take on Furyk and Fred Funk and Harrington and Paul McGinley were to play Love and Woods.

Montgomerie, a first-day hero for the Europeans, asked to be rested after his morning's exertions.

In the foursomes format, the players hit alternate shots with one ball per team rather than two each in fourball play.