Euros hope for early statement from Sergio -- and last word from Paddy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- It's a tough call to make.

Which looks more appealing, the intro or the tagline?

The European team is hoping for big things from Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia. (Getty Images)

With Sergio Garcia placed in the first spot and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington in the final slot, the European team is attempting to retain the Ryder Cup with a 1-2 wallop at the top and bottom of its 12-man lineup Sunday.

With the Americans holding a 9-7 lead, the team's first since 1995 entering singles play, Garcia will play fellow 20-something Anthony Kim, a Ryder rookie with two PGA Tour wins this season, in a match that has the potential to get Valhalla Golf Club fueled and fired up near the levels of Saturday's head-shaking affair.

"That should be pretty energetic, I'd think," U.S. captain Paul Azinger said, eyeballing the leadoff match.

The back end seems to favor the Europeans, who need to amass seven of the 12 available points in order to retain the cup.

European captain Nick Faldo said he spent 20 minutes setting the lineup with his team Saturday night and that Harrington, who hasn't won a match all week and is 0-1-1, wanted the anchor position. He will be preceded by Lee Westwood, whose 12-match unbeaten streak ended Saturday with a 2 and 1 loss in the best-ball session.

Even though Garcia, Westwood and Harrington have combined for 2½ points, Faldo senses that the U.S. team is hearing footsteps.

"Most definitely," he said. "Crumbs, it was America's day on Friday and it was our day today. The team is very upbeat.

"We've got a great opportunity."

Nobody was arguing. The American team, which has lost five of the past six Ryder competitions, likely needs to take care of business quickly, because the Europeans hold a major firepower and experience advantage at the back end of the draw sheet.

Harrington will face Chad Campbell, who hit a clutch 5-iron shot on the closing hole to seal a key alternate-shot win on Friday, but was blown out with teammate Stewart Cink in his lone match Saturday.

Six-time Ryder team member Westwood faces rookie Ben Curtis in the penultimate slot. Curtis is 0-1-1 and has probably played the sloppiest golf on the U.S. roster.

Ian Poulter, who has scored three points to lead the European team, plays Ryder rookie Steve Stricker in the third-to-last match.