Europe hangs on to edge US in thrilling fashion at the Ryder Cup

This was as thrilling a finish for me as I can remember in the Ryder Cup, and after 4 days of drama and all kinds of weather, it all came down to the last match, Graeme McDowell placed there by captain Monty and Hunter Mahan, asked to by captain Pavin and accepted without any qualms.. Europe 14 1/2 USA 13 1/2

Here's how Europeantour.com described it...

Not since 1991 at Kiawah Island had The Ryder Cup been decided in such breathtaking fashion by the last of 12 singles matches.



A brilliant putt by McDowell on the 16th left Mahan needing to win the last two holes for a half that would have denied Europe, but Mahan scuffed his second shot after firing short of the green off the tee on the par three 17th.


That meant that at worst McDowell needed to get down in two from the edge of the green under unbearable pressure in front of 35,000 fans, but Mahan then missed his putt, conceded the match, and Europe began wild celebrations.

I have just watched both teams pressers and for the US Hunter Mahan can't even speak he is so crushed and Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk all spoke beautifully and they are right, they only needed a 1/2 point to take the cup back and although it is a tough loss, the toughest according to Mickelson, they have nothing to hang their heads about.

The European squad all spoke. Harrington said they did want it for Monty to cap off his brilliant career, Fisher called it 'a life changing experience', McIlroy called it ' the greatest week of my life'  and GMac, Graeme McDowell, forever a legend after his US Open win and now about to be sainted said his whole year was geared to this moment.

Think about it, when do you ever see these pro golfers exhibiting the emotions that are on display at this event on nearly every hole

Here is the final scoreboard..

Session 4 Singles


L. Westwood vs.
S. Stricker  Wins 2 & 1

Recap .. This could have gone either way, but Stricker gave the US what they wanted, a full point and the game was on

R. McIlroy vs.
S. Cink Halved

Recap.. I kept thinking Rory would get ahead and pull away, but Cink showed why he has been so often a captains pick, making crucial putts and shots, playing beautifully as was the 21 year old Irish sensation.. A halve was a fitting end and a great education for Rory

L. Donald vs.
J. Furyk  Wins 1Up

Recap  Earlier this week I wrote about Luke Donald being the key for this team and folks his Ryder Cup record is now 8-2-0. He is arguably the best player in the world right now and he was a cast iron sensation for the Euro team, and he beat the Fed Ex champion Jim Furyk when it mattered most

M. Kaymer vs.
D. Johnson  Wins 6 & 4

Recap.. Johnson finally got the putter going to salvage a poor Ryder Cup, and Martin was far from his best

I. Poulter vs.
M. Kuchar  Wins 5 & 4

Recap  This was never in doubt and I have to say the Ryder Cup 2 years ago at Valhalla was the making of Ian Poulter, he is the lightning rod for this team and will be along with Rory for years to come.
R. Fisher vs.
J. Overton Wins 3 & 2

Recap.. The surprise of this Ryder Cup to me was Jeff Overton. He was immense for his team and carried an overwhelmed Bubba Watson..

M. Jimenez vs.
B. Watson  Wins 4 & 3

Recap.. Miguel for all his visual eccentricities is a great player and competitor and was always to much for Bubba, who should have been left at home

F. Molinari vs.
T. Woods  Wins 4 & 3

Recap  Freddie had Tiger down by 2 at one time, but Tiger holed out from the fairway at 12 I think and found his form to roar back and win easily

E. Molinari vs.
R. Fowler  Halved

Recap   Rickie Fowler made 4 birdies in his final 4 holes to grab an fantastic half when he seemed down and out, but the half point that Eduardo won was crucial

P. Hanson vs.
P. Mickelson  Wins 4 & 2

Recap  Mickelson had a lot to say behind the scenes in support of his team mates but had a poor week until today. He holed a 50 footer early in his match and showed the form we all expect of a world #2 over a game Peter Hanson

P. Harrington vs.
Z. Johnson details Wins 3 & 2

Recap.. Paddy's legend is safe in Europe with his 3 majors, but he was my biggest disappointment this week for the Euros.. Zach Johnson may be as boring as they come, but I think he is one of golf's most under rated pros

G. McDowell vs.
H. Mahan  Wins 3 & 1

Recap... What can I say..Little Graeme McDowell from Portrush has gone from being a streaky good European tour player to a legend. His win at Pebble Beach, the first ever by an Irishman, the first Brit since Tony Jacklin in 1970 etched his place in the history books, this week's drama paired with Rory and his winning birdie putt on 16 today will be remembered forever and have given him a spot in European golf with the legends like Seve, Faldo,  and Monty..

That's 6 of the last 8 Ryder Cups to Europe and I guess you have to have European roots, British roots in particular from my perspective to understand why this means so much to us..

To many from Europe, America is this vast land of riches that we all wish we had. Americans to us have it all, money, weather, looks, success..That is why we immigrate ..

There teams for years epitomized all of that.. Nicklaus, Palmer, Trevino, Miller, Watson etal all would come over to play us.. Giants of the game, all tanned, movie star status against our Ronnie Shades, Brian Barnes, Neil Coles, Peter Townsends, nice golfers but nobody's on the big stage.. There was no Euro tour, no Seve yet, and we got our asses kicked every 2 years, I mean kicked....

Then Seve came along and started to change everything. Nicklaus convinced the authorities to change it from GB and N Ireland to Europe to get him into it and the rest is history..

But we never stop relishing the chance to tilt against the big old USofA, and this week's tilt was as sweet as it's ever been, and will keep us glowing on these cold winter nights to come until we reconvene in Chicago at Medinah in 2 years

Bryan Angus