DARREN CLARKE IS adamant Europe are capable of coming from behind to deny the United States in the Ryder Cup on Sunday.

The hosts lead 9.5 – 6.5 going into the final day of the event at Hazeltine, as the USA close in on a first win in the event since 2008 at Valhalla.

Europe, though, can take solace from the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ in 2012, when they came from 10 – 6 down at the start of play on Sunday to win by a point in Illinois.

“We’re going to have to work hard and play very, very well tomorrow,” European captain Clarke said.

“It’s been done before from a worse position. We have a big task ahead of us but the guys are capable of doing it.

“Certainly we were hoping for a lot better but Ryder Cup teams have come back from further [behind].

“The guys will be disappointed that they didn’t do a little bit better this afternoon but you know, it’s not over yet.

“With the team that’s here this week, I don’t need to pick them up. They will know and understand they have a big challenge ahead of them tomorrow but I’m sure they will be up for it.

“I won’t have to do too much to lift them up tonight.”

The partisan atmosphere in Minnesota threatened at times to become unpleasant on Saturday, with Sergio Garcia critical of some fans’ conduct.

Clarke sought to play down the significance of the hostile reception his players have received from sections of the galleries.

“It’s just the Ryder Cup and people are exuberant and enjoying themselves,” he said.

“It’s just part of the whole Ryder Cup thing. I’m sure that everybody will do their best to deal with it and people just seemed to enjoy themselves a little bit too much at times.

“But I think you have 99.99 percent of the crowd out there that are wonderfully respectful. They are patriotic, yes, but they are wonderfully respectful.

“You’re always going to have one or two idiots that say the wrong thing at the wrong time, and you know, unfortunately … that’s happened. But overall, the fans have been absolutely superb to us.”