Europe 6/5 To Defend Ryder Cup After Graeme McDowell Heroics
It took a major performance from a major winner to see Europe over the finishing line in the Ryder Cup.
It was this year’s US Open champion, Graeme McDowell, who eventually guided Europe to a thrilling 14.5-13.5 win at Celtic Manor, defeating Hunter Mahan by a margin of 3&1 at the 17th hole.
Going into the final fourth day of competition, the first time in Ryder Cup history the event had needed an extra day, Europe held a comfortable 3 point advantage over the USA as the hosts led 9.5-6.5. However, that overnight position was to change rapidly during a thrilling finale to this year’s event.
Wins for Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker, Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson, plus halved matches by Stewart Cink and tournament rookie Rickie Fowler, meant the match was all-square as McDowell and Mahan came down the back nine. In a tense finish, the European player just about managed to hold his nerve to bring Team Europe the victory.
“Coming down the stretch I’ve never felt nerves like it. I’d hoped it wouldn’t come down to my match and the guys before me would do the job but it wasn’t the case. The 16th was the greatest second shot and greatest putt of my career,” said McDowell afterwards.
“I can safely say I’ve never felt nerves like that,” added the 31-year-old Northern Irishman.
His efforts, along with singles wins for Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jiminez and Luke Donald plus tied matches for Rory McIlroy and Edoardo Molinari, meant Colin Montgomerie reversed the defeat suffered by Nick Faldo, the previous European captain.
Faldo suffered at the hands of the Americans in Louisville, Kentucky 2008 and the next staging of this biennial tournament will now come in 2012.
The host club will be Medinah Country Club, Illinois where Europe have been installed as the 6/5 underdogs by Paddy Power. Having failed so narrowly to defend the trophy, and playing on home soil, USA have been quoted as short as 5/6 to win back the cup. Who will win? We shall have to wait two years to find out!
One thing which looks certain is Europe will head to America in 2012 with a new captain. Colin Montgomerie has stated that he doesn’t wish to say on in the role.
“This is a one-hit time – I will not be doing this again,” he said. “I think it’s only right that it should be shared around.”
Despite Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, Thomas Bjorn and Sergio Garcia being vice-captains at Celtic Manor, the smart money is on the Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal leading the side at Medinah. He would be a popular choice with the players and unlike Montgomerie’s four assistants in Wales Ollie has less of a chance of making the team as a player.
Whatever happens, after the drama of 2010 … Ryder Cup 2012 can’t come soon enough.
