AMERICANS REGAIN PRIDE WITH SINGLES FIGHTBACK
Europe win - but it was might close!
FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By SANDY MACASKILL AT CELTIC MANOR
Graeme McDowell regained the Ryder Cup lost by Europe at Valhalla in 2008, when his opponent Hunter Mahan conceded the Northern Irishman's putt at Celtic Manor’s 17th hole after squeezing his own effort just wide.
And so, just three months after winning the US Open, Graeme McDowell was Europe's hero once again.
Going into the extended Monday programme of 12 singles with a seemingly comfortable 3pt lead, Europe, in the end, were victorious by the most narrow of possible margins - 14 ½ - 13 ½ - giving this troubled Ryder Cup a unforgettable finish.
Colin Montgomerie could not bear to watch the final drama. But the noise told him all he needed to know. Monty, the European captain, had said before the competition started that this would come down to a final putt on the final hole. Not far off.
‘Captain Fantastic’, Darren Clarke had called him. Well, whatever people will make of the rest of his singles order, Monty’s decision to take out an insurance policy by playing McDowell in the final singles match proved decisive.
That it came down to McDowell and Mahan, the 12th match, was because of impressive final-day performances from the US team, who won six of the day’s singles matches.
Mostly it came down to a tenacious fight-back by rookie Rickie Fowler, who recovered from three holes down with four to go against Edoardo Molinari with four straight birdies ot halve the match.
Europe had started strongly, Montgomerie's team needing just five points to regain the trophy lost in Louisville, Kentucky two years ago. With all 12 singles matches on the course, Europe led in eight. Luke Donald defeated Jim Furyk by one hole and Ian Poulter – good as his word to return with a point – thumped Matt Kuchar 5 and 4.
But it was the Americans, who had started the day trailing by 9 ½ points to 6 ½, who performed better in the singles. “It’s tight,” Donald had said after finishing. It was more than that.
'Magnificent Monday', morphed into ‘Manic Monday’ when Steve Stricker landed an early blow by beating Lee Westwood 2 and 1, Dustin Johnson beat Martin Kaymer 6 and 4, Jeff Overton beat Ross Fisher 3 and 2, Phil Mickelson defeated Peter Hanson 4 and 2, and Zach Johnson beat Padraig Harrington. Stuart Cink was held to a half by Rory McIlroy in the second match.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, pulled out one of the performances of the day, announcing his return to form in style by coming from two behind and smashing opponent Francesco Molinari 4 and 2 despite the Italian posting four birdies.
It was a day of nerves for those watching and those taking part. On one occasion, the two collided, Jeff Overton and former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallager, now summarising for the BBC, exchanged views after Fisher had been allowed a drop on the 11th.
When Overton’s father stepped in, matters looked like escalating. Fortunately the players halved the hole and defused the situation.
European fingernails were bitten down to the quick when Fowler recovered against Molinari, winning the 18th. So it was that it came down to McDowell, who, at the 16th green, was just one-up and feeling the pressure.
But the Ulsterman sank a 12ft putt, extending his lead to two with three to play, both fists pumping the air. At the 17th, two down, the pressure got to Mahan and the American muffed his chip to the green. McDowell left his putt short, but when Mahan missed the American conceded.
FINAL SCORE: EUROPE 14½ – USA 13½
Match 1: Westwood v Stricker - US wins 2 and 1.
Match 2: McIlroy v Cink - Halved
Match 3: Donald v Furyk - EUR wins by 1 hole.
Match 4: Kaymer v D Johnson - USA win 6 and 4
Match 5: Poulter v Kuchar - EUR wins 5 and 4.
Match 6: Fisher v Overton - USA wins 3 and 2.
Match 7: Jimenez v Watson - EUR wins 4 and 3.
Match 8: F Molinari v Woods - USA wins 4 and 3
Match 9: E Molinari v Fowler - Halved
Match 10: Hanson v Mickelson - USA wins 4 and 2
Match 11: Harrington v Z Johnson - USA wins 3 and 2
Match 12: McDowell v Mahan EUR wins by 2 holes.
FROM THE DAILY TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
By SANDY MACASKILL AT CELTIC MANOR
Graeme McDowell regained the Ryder Cup lost by Europe at Valhalla in 2008, when his opponent Hunter Mahan conceded the Northern Irishman's putt at Celtic Manor’s 17th hole after squeezing his own effort just wide.
And so, just three months after winning the US Open, Graeme McDowell was Europe's hero once again.
Going into the extended Monday programme of 12 singles with a seemingly comfortable 3pt lead, Europe, in the end, were victorious by the most narrow of possible margins - 14 ½ - 13 ½ - giving this troubled Ryder Cup a unforgettable finish.
Colin Montgomerie could not bear to watch the final drama. But the noise told him all he needed to know. Monty, the European captain, had said before the competition started that this would come down to a final putt on the final hole. Not far off.
‘Captain Fantastic’, Darren Clarke had called him. Well, whatever people will make of the rest of his singles order, Monty’s decision to take out an insurance policy by playing McDowell in the final singles match proved decisive.
That it came down to McDowell and Mahan, the 12th match, was because of impressive final-day performances from the US team, who won six of the day’s singles matches.
Mostly it came down to a tenacious fight-back by rookie Rickie Fowler, who recovered from three holes down with four to go against Edoardo Molinari with four straight birdies ot halve the match.
Europe had started strongly, Montgomerie's team needing just five points to regain the trophy lost in Louisville, Kentucky two years ago. With all 12 singles matches on the course, Europe led in eight. Luke Donald defeated Jim Furyk by one hole and Ian Poulter – good as his word to return with a point – thumped Matt Kuchar 5 and 4.
But it was the Americans, who had started the day trailing by 9 ½ points to 6 ½, who performed better in the singles. “It’s tight,” Donald had said after finishing. It was more than that.
'Magnificent Monday', morphed into ‘Manic Monday’ when Steve Stricker landed an early blow by beating Lee Westwood 2 and 1, Dustin Johnson beat Martin Kaymer 6 and 4, Jeff Overton beat Ross Fisher 3 and 2, Phil Mickelson defeated Peter Hanson 4 and 2, and Zach Johnson beat Padraig Harrington. Stuart Cink was held to a half by Rory McIlroy in the second match.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, pulled out one of the performances of the day, announcing his return to form in style by coming from two behind and smashing opponent Francesco Molinari 4 and 2 despite the Italian posting four birdies.
It was a day of nerves for those watching and those taking part. On one occasion, the two collided, Jeff Overton and former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallager, now summarising for the BBC, exchanged views after Fisher had been allowed a drop on the 11th.
When Overton’s father stepped in, matters looked like escalating. Fortunately the players halved the hole and defused the situation.
European fingernails were bitten down to the quick when Fowler recovered against Molinari, winning the 18th. So it was that it came down to McDowell, who, at the 16th green, was just one-up and feeling the pressure.
But the Ulsterman sank a 12ft putt, extending his lead to two with three to play, both fists pumping the air. At the 17th, two down, the pressure got to Mahan and the American muffed his chip to the green. McDowell left his putt short, but when Mahan missed the American conceded.
FINAL SCORE: EUROPE 14½ – USA 13½
Match 1: Westwood v Stricker - US wins 2 and 1.
Match 2: McIlroy v Cink - Halved
Match 3: Donald v Furyk - EUR wins by 1 hole.
Match 4: Kaymer v D Johnson - USA win 6 and 4
Match 5: Poulter v Kuchar - EUR wins 5 and 4.
Match 6: Fisher v Overton - USA wins 3 and 2.
Match 7: Jimenez v Watson - EUR wins 4 and 3.
Match 8: F Molinari v Woods - USA wins 4 and 3
Match 9: E Molinari v Fowler - Halved
Match 10: Hanson v Mickelson - USA wins 4 and 2
Match 11: Harrington v Z Johnson - USA wins 3 and 2
Match 12: McDowell v Mahan EUR wins by 2 holes.
Labels: RYDER CUP
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Monday, October 04, 2010
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