MEDINAH, Illinois, Sept 30 (Reuters) - The 39th Ryder Cup was set for an intriguing finish as Englishman Luke Donald set a perfect tone for holders Europe with a 2&1 win over Bubba Watson in the top singles match on Sunday.
With Europe needing to win eight points on the final day to retain the trophy, world number three Donald birdied two of the first four holes, then held off a late Watson fightback before sealing victory at the par-three 17th.
Despite hitting his tee shot there into a greenside bunker, the Chicago-based Englishman splashed out of the sand to a foot for a tap-in par to give his team a perfect boost.
Donald's victory trimmed the U.S. lead to 10-7, though Europe still face a daunting task in their bid to retain the trophy as they need to match the biggest ever last-day comeback.
The Americans famously won the 1999 Ryder Cup at Brookline after trailing 10-6 going into the final day.
Europe, who top-loaded their singles order with their best players, led in three of the remaining matches, trailed in three and were all square in five on a sunny afternoon at Medinah Country Club.
Scot Paul Lawrie, who chipped in to birdie the fourth and eagled the par-fifth, was four up on Cup rookie Brandt Snedeker after 12 holes while Italy's Francesco Molinari was one up on Tiger Woods after five.
Woods, playing in the anchor match, had been beaten in his three previous encounters this week and faces the prospect of finishing pointless for the first time in seven Ryder Cups.
Dustin Johnson was two up on Belgian Cup rookie Nicolas Colsaerts after 12 holes while rock-steady Zach Johnson was two up on Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell after 10.
Also putting welcome red colour on the board for the U.S. were veteran Jim Furyk, one up on Spaniard Sergio Garcia after nine, and rookie Jason Dufner, four up on Swede Peter Hanson after eight.
The second, third and fourth matches out were tantalisingly poised.
U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson, who sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-four first to match Ian Poulter's chip-in there, was all square with the Englishman after 13 holes
Northern Irish world number one Rory McIlroy, who gave his team an early scare after making his teeoff by barely 10 minutes due to a mix-up over his starting time, was level with Keegan Bradley after 13.
Englishman Justin Rose, who had gone two up on Phil Mickelson after just two holes, was level with the American veteran after 12. (Editing by Larry Fine)
