If Europe's 2012 Ryder Cup victory was hailed as the Miracle of Medinah, then a US triumph in Scotland on Sunday would leave Gleneagles gobsmacked.

Paul McGinley's home side stamped their authority on the 40th staging of the biennial battle with a rousing foursomes display as they opened up a commanding 10-6 lead over their American guests heading into the final 12 singles matches.

Europe require just four points to retain the little gold chalice but there will be no complacency in the camp. In this unpredictable game of wildly fluctuating fortunes, nothing can be taken for granted.

The USA led 10-6 at this same stage in 2012 and watched the trophy slip from their grasp as an inspired Europe mounted an astonishing final day assault.

In 1999, the golf shoe was on the other foot at Brookline as the rampaging Americans overhauled a similar four point deficit to win by a 14 ½ - 13 ½ margin.

Key to Europe's success so far this week has been in the foursomes. From the eight matches played on Friday and Saturday, McGinley's pairings have won seven and lost just one. It has been a thoroughly dominant spell.

The USA, meanwhile, have edged the fourballs 5-3 but they have been completely overwhelmed in the trickier, alternate shot format.

Englishman Justin Rose has been the thorn in the side of the USA and he preserved his unbeaten record in this weekend's event with a birdie putt on the 18th green, in partnership with Martin Kaymer, which pinched a half point for the European duo against Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.

It had been a highly profitable day for Rose. Paired again with Sweden's Henrik Stenson in the morning fourballs, the Euro stars were a combined 12-under-par in their 3&2 defeat of Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar. That was a Ryder Cup record in the better-ball format. Despite those heroics, the battling USA side, who trailed 5-3 overnight, managed to reduce the leeway to just one point but Europe staved off these menacing advances with a powerful afternoon display.

Lee Westwood moved to within two points of Nick Faldo's all-time European record points haul of 25 as he combined with Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson to beat Zach Johnson and Kuchar by 2&1. That point took Westwood past the great Seve Ballesteros's tally.

Graeme McDowell and Victor Dubuisson romped to a 5&4 win against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler while Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia eased to a 3&2 triumph over Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan.

"The guys were brave again today, but they produced again," said European skipper McGinley. "It's been a great team performance. Collectively as a team everyone has pulled their weight and collectively we've come together.

Europe are within touching distance of an eighth Ryder Cup win in 10 meetings. It is the USA who need the miracle this year.