US Holds 9-7 Lead in Ryder

Birdie putts kept falling, one on top of the other, until the Americans finally secured a Saturday lead in the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1995 to set up a final day that finally matters. The US team leads 9-7 heading into tomorrow's matches, giving it a decent chance to end a nearly decade-long drought against the Europeans. "The golf has been incredible,"said captain Paul Azinger. "My stomach is just churning."

All that remains are 12 singles matches tomorrow to determine the winner. Robert Karlsson concluded a gripping afternoon at Valhalla with his seventh birdie in 10 holes as he and fellow Swede Henrik Stenson scratched out a halve against Phil Mickelson and Hunter Mahan. The Americans hung on for two key halves to split the afternoon fourballs session. (More golf stories.)