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 The world numbers one and three appeared to be heading for their
second defeat of the day, two down with two holes to go in the
afternoon foursomes and with a partisan home crowd quietened almost
to the point of silence.
Then, suddenly, and out of the European blue, McIlroy drilled in a
25-foot birdie putt at the 17th to bring the fans and the
partnership to life.
Cries of 'Europe, Europe, Europe' rang around the Jack
Nicklaus-designed PGA Centenary Course and the pair celebrated with
a delighted hug and a high-five.
McIlroy and Garcia still needed another big effort to snatch a
precious half-point and again it seemed unlikely as the 25-year-old
Northern Irishman produced a wild drive that ended up behind a tree
in the right rough.
This time, though, it was Garcia who came to the rescue, bending a
glorious five-wood approach from left to right to within 12 feet of
the pin.
The two Americans could only find a greenside bunker and, after
Fowler failed to convert his birdie attempt from 18 feet, McIlroy
safely two-putted to prompt another deafening chorus of approval
from the galleries.
"I think that Sergio Garcia's and Rory McIlroy's halve was as good
as a win," said Europe captain Paul McGinley with a beaming smile
after the holders recovered a one-point deficit from the morning
session to finish the day with a 5-3 lead.
"We have seen in Ryder Cups over the years how important momentum is
and we showed real strength of character to respond to that American
surge and get blue back on the board."
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McIlroy acknowledged that he and Garcia needed seriously to up their
game over the closing holes.
"We were making life difficult for ourselves," said the British Open
and U.S. PGA champion. "That was the shot of the day there from
Sergio.
"I don't think we were playing from the fairway very much, but we
wanted, at least, to ask them the question and make them play down
18.
"We had two tough matches today and at least we have a half point to
show for it," added McIlroy, referring to their last-hole morning
defeat by Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.
Garcia said his spectacular approach shot at the 18th got him out of
jail.
"I felt like I owed Rory a lot today," said the Spaniard. "We fought
hard as we knew we weren't playing good.
"That half-point is huge for us."
(Editing by Tim Collings)
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