Europe Wins the Ryder Cup 2012
This was a Ryder Cup for the ages. This dramatic, historic comeback of the 40th Ryder Cup had the entire golfing world on the edge of its seat.
Now granted our background is English, Scottish and Irish so, perhaps, we are at tad prejudiced but we were elated Europe won the Ryder Cup yesterday at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois.
The two teams both played excellent golf and every putt every drive and every sand trap lie could and, in fact, did make the difference.
Davis Love III was the captain for Team USA which was represented by Bubba Watson, Webb Simpson, Phil Mickelson, Keegan Bradley, Jim Furyk, Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Jason Dufner, Steve Stricker and Matt Kuchar.
Jose Maria Olazabal lead Team Europe which was represented by Paul Lawrie, Rory McIlroy (World # 1), Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald, Nicholas Colsaerts, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Lee Westwood and Peter Hanson.
The tournament started September 28th and for the first two days it was the Americans all the way for the two days of foursomes. Going into the singles on Sunday the Europeans were down 10 to 6.
Phil Mickelson and first time Ryder Cup player, Keegan Bradley, were on fire and won every match. Neither one of them, however, won their singles matches on Sunday.
Another amazing story on Saturday was Ian Poulter with 5 amazing clutch birdies. His laser like focus is what it is believed to rally the team to their historic comeback on Sunday. Also Colsaerts made 8 birdies and an eagle which is indeed worth noting. That, and the fact that they were playing for Seve Ballesteros, who died in the spring of this year, from a brain tumor. Seve and Jose Maria were best friends and his presence was very much felt by the entire European team. His silhouette was on their bags and golf shirts. It was clear to every European team member how much a win would mean for Jose Maria to honor his friend, Seve, who was beloved and respected by all golfers.
We went into Sunday trying to be hopeful but knowing the American held an almost insurmountable lead. They needed 14 ½ points to win the cup and the Euros needed 14.
I looked at the line up for the singles match ups and admittedly was worried. A few things started to happen to give us hope. Garcia won his match against Furyk, and Westwood won his match against Kuchar. Poulter also carried over his great putting beating Webb Simpson and things started to look up.
The penultimate match between SteveStricker and Martin Kaymer could win it for the Euros getting them to 14 points needed to win the coveted Ryder Cup which is only played for every 2 years.
Kaymer did, in fact make the winning putt to win his match and it was certainly no “gimme”. This then made the Woods/Molinari match to no avail and they ended up halfing it.
The Euros won 8 ½ points in the singles on Sunday and the Americans won 3 ½. So the final tally was 14 ½ to 13 ½ for Europe.
To say this was a close exciting Ryder Cup would be an understatement. It was the best 7 hours of nail biting golf my husband and I have ever experienced and it is even more enjoyable that we can share this love for golf together.
The 4lst Ryder Cup will be held at Gleneagles in Scotland the home of golf.