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On This Day: Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods tamed by Europe at Ryder Cup

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were ranked second and fourth in the world respectively but Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington bested them.

United States Ryder Cup captain Hal Sutton paired Tiger Woods with Phil Mickelson for the opening fourballs of the 2004 tournament at Oakland Hills.

The pair then lost 2&1 to Colin Montgomerie and Padraig Harrington and arguably set the tone for the competition as Europe won 18-and-a-half to nine-and-a-half at Oakland Hills in Michigan.

The fourball got off to a poor start as all four players missed the first fairway, before Montgomerie and Harrington managed to secure a birdie. They then matched their first-hole performance on the next three to take a 2-0 lead.

European Ryder Cup players Padraig Harrington (centre) and Colin Montgomerie (left) are interviewed on American television after defeating Woods and Mickelson
European Ryder Cup players Padraig Harrington (centre) and Colin Montgomerie (left) are interviewed on American television after defeating Woods and Mickelson (Rebecca Naden/PA)

On the 14th hole, Harrington all but secured the match for the Europeans with a well-hit approach shot, setting up a birdie which gave Europe a lead of three with four holes remaining.

Mickelson and Woods won two holes each in the match, as did Montgomerie, but Harrington won four to give the European team the edge.

Before the tournament, Woods was ranked second and Mickelson fourth in the world golf rankings.

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