MAGNIFICENT McILROY'S INSPIRING LEAD-OFF WIN IN SINGLES
EUROPEAN PLAYERS' PRAISE FOR
SKIPPER McGINLEY
FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
World Number One Rory McIlroy led the way as Europe retained the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.
The Northern Irishman lived up to his reputation by delivering Europe's first point of Sunday's singles with a 5 and 4 victory over good friend Rickie Fowler.
Compatriot Graeme McDowell then followed him home, recovering from three down after five holes against impressive rookie Jordan Spieth to win 2 and 1.
America briefly threatened a comeback as Patrick Reed beat Henrik Stenson on the 18th, Phil Mickelson took down Stephen Gallacher and Matt Kuchar beat Thomas Bjørn.
But Martin Kaymer chipped in to complete a 4 and 2 win over Bubba Watson and Justin Rose snatched a half from Hunter Mahan at the 18th to take Europe to 13 ½ points.
That left Jamie Donaldson to cap an impressive debut by sealing the winning point with a 5 and 3 victory over Keegan Bradley.
"I hit the wedge shot of my life to close the game out. I can't really put words to it. It is unbelievable," Donaldson said.
"I knew it was getting tight there at the end and everyone was building on my group. I just tried not to spend too much time looking at the scoreboard.
"I was able to do it well enough to close it out.
"The lads have got on so well all week. There has been a great craic in there, it is an incredible week. It is hard to describe how good it is - there is nothing else like it in golf.
"It has been amazing to be a part of it."
On victorious Captain Paul McGinley, he added: "He's been sensational, incredible. It's been a hell of a week."
McGinley paid tribute not only to his players, but everyone who had contributed to the win.
"It has been a real honour to captain these 12 players, our backroom team, it has been a huge team effort," he said.
"We had three or four big ideas which we kept feeding back to and they came off.
"I have a great sense of pride giving happiness to everyone."
Europe's players were quick to praise McGinley, who received public support from the likes of McIlroy, Poulter and Luke Donald when the post was being decided in January 2013.
Sergio Garcia, who beat Jim Furyk on the 18th, said: "He has been so methodical. Every single aspect he needed to touch on, he did. I've been fortunate to have a lot of great Captains but Paul did things a little bit differently but with great style.
"He has been a little bit more of a modern Captain, taking care of every single detail. He knew what we had was good and working but improved it without changing it."
McIlroy added: "I can't say enough about the Captain. Paul McGinley has been absolutely immense this week. He has left no stone unturned. He has given this week a lot of thought over the last two years. I am just glad it worked out for him."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank goodness for the 4pt lead established over the first two days' foursomes and four-ball ties. The 12 singles were close: 6 1/2pt to Europe, 5 1/2pt to the United States.
The Northern Irishman lived up to his reputation by delivering Europe's first point of Sunday's singles with a 5 and 4 victory over good friend Rickie Fowler.
Compatriot Graeme McDowell then followed him home, recovering from three down after five holes against impressive rookie Jordan Spieth to win 2 and 1.
America briefly threatened a comeback as Patrick Reed beat Henrik Stenson on the 18th, Phil Mickelson took down Stephen Gallacher and Matt Kuchar beat Thomas Bjørn.
But Martin Kaymer chipped in to complete a 4 and 2 win over Bubba Watson and Justin Rose snatched a half from Hunter Mahan at the 18th to take Europe to 13 ½ points.
That left Jamie Donaldson to cap an impressive debut by sealing the winning point with a 5 and 3 victory over Keegan Bradley.
"I hit the wedge shot of my life to close the game out. I can't really put words to it. It is unbelievable," Donaldson said.
"I knew it was getting tight there at the end and everyone was building on my group. I just tried not to spend too much time looking at the scoreboard.
"I was able to do it well enough to close it out.
"The lads have got on so well all week. There has been a great craic in there, it is an incredible week. It is hard to describe how good it is - there is nothing else like it in golf.
"It has been amazing to be a part of it."
On victorious Captain Paul McGinley, he added: "He's been sensational, incredible. It's been a hell of a week."
McGinley paid tribute not only to his players, but everyone who had contributed to the win.
"It has been a real honour to captain these 12 players, our backroom team, it has been a huge team effort," he said.
"We had three or four big ideas which we kept feeding back to and they came off.
"I have a great sense of pride giving happiness to everyone."
Europe's players were quick to praise McGinley, who received public support from the likes of McIlroy, Poulter and Luke Donald when the post was being decided in January 2013.
Sergio Garcia, who beat Jim Furyk on the 18th, said: "He has been so methodical. Every single aspect he needed to touch on, he did. I've been fortunate to have a lot of great Captains but Paul did things a little bit differently but with great style.
"He has been a little bit more of a modern Captain, taking care of every single detail. He knew what we had was good and working but improved it without changing it."
McIlroy added: "I can't say enough about the Captain. Paul McGinley has been absolutely immense this week. He has left no stone unturned. He has given this week a lot of thought over the last two years. I am just glad it worked out for him."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Thank goodness for the 4pt lead established over the first two days' foursomes and four-ball ties. The 12 singles were close: 6 1/2pt to Europe, 5 1/2pt to the United States.
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL OF THE SINGLES RESULTS.
WE WILL HAVE MORE COMMENT, INCLUDING WHAT THE AMERICAN MEDIA THOUGHT ABOUT THEIR TEAM'S PERFORMANCE, LATER IN THE EVENING
Labels: RYDER CUP
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, September 28, 2014
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