The astonishing victory achieved by Europe's golfers in the Ryder Cup yesterday came against all the odds and must have caused consternation amongst supporters of the US team which had seemed certain to regain the trophy.
For most of the first two days of competition, the Europeans were decidly second best, trailing 4-10 until 2 last ditch efforts on Saturday saw them close the gapslightly to 6-10. Nonetheless, a US victory seemed assured with the home side needing only a further 4½ points from Sunday's 12 singles matches; only once in the history of the competitiuon had a side overturned a 4 point deficit going into the singles and for the Europeans to emulate this feat seemed all but impossible.
As the final day's play unfolded, it began to look as though an unlikely draw might be possible. Match after match turned in favour of the European players and suddenly the US team was on the defensive, looking desperately for an odd point, or even half a point, here and there. Europe went ahead 11-10 after winning the first 5 singles matches and then it was nip and tuck as the US levelled, Europe went ahead again and the US levelled again. With just 2 matches left on the course, it was 13 all, with Europe leading in one and the US in the other.
The pressure was really on as Martin Kaymer stood over his 5 foot putt on the last green knowing that holing it would retain the cup for the Europeans while missing would probably hand the trophy to the US. That he held his nerve and sank the putt is now history, but what history ! Immense euphoria swept through the European team and their band of supporters while the US players and supporters seemed stunned and disbelieving. Europe's triumph was made complete when Francesco Molinari drew level with Tiger Woods as the dispirited American missed a simple final putt to hand outright victory to the visitors by 14½-13½.
This was a victory made in heaven and Jose Maria Olazabal, the European team captain, was quick to dedicate it to his late, great friend, Seve Ballasteros, in highly emotional style. For the team, it was just reward for a remarkable performance, beating one of the strongest US teams of recent years. Although there had been a few doubtful moments, with one or two of the Americans failing to apply the best of etiquette when short putts were involved, and Tiger Woods looking as miserable as sin for most of the 3 days, the competition was generally played in good spirit and the crowds were well behaved. Phil Mickelson, as always, was a perfect gentleman and wins my prize for the most sporting gesture as he applauded his opponent's fine play and shook his hand with genuine warmth at the end, even though he'd lost a vital match. The US captain, Davis Love III, while obviously desperately disappointed, was generous in his final comments and also saw the hand of 'Seve' in the European fightback.
While victory went to a European team several of its members subsequently discovered their own national flags which they paraded, rather than the multi-starred Euro-flag. Whether this says anything about European solidarity I can't say, but it did emphasise that this was a team drawn from many nations and not just from one. Whatever, it was an amazing achievement; roll on 2014 !
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