Jack Power talks us through Europe’s recent success in the Ryder Cup.
Europe claimed the Ryder Cup this weekend, ed emphatically defeating the US by 16 and a half points to 11 and a half. The setting was Gleneagles Golf club, in Scotland. Europe had snatched victory from the complacent hands of the United States two years ago, with a near impossible comeback on the final day in Medina. This year Team Europe again under Irish captain Paul McGinley would make it two in a row, on home soil.
The opening day teed off with the fourball and foursomes. Justin Rose and Hendrik Stenson proved to be the surprise team of the weekend winning two points and halving another. While the much-anticipated pair Rory Mcilroy and the Spaniard Sergio Garcia could only rescue a half, birdying their final two holes to deny Walker and Fowler a full point. Another outsider to rise to Ryder cup fan favourite status was the Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, whose game was on fire. The US team retired 5 – 3 down after a day when their collective game was simply not up to par.
Team US came into Saturday morning all guns blazing, with US team captain Tom Watson’s youngster pair Jordan Speidth and Patrick Reed leading the charge. Yet despite their initial early fight back, the scoreboard was soon awash with the blue of Team Europe. Rose, Stenson, Dubuisson, Mcilroy, Garcia and Graeme McDowell all outplayed their star spangled counterparts. Tactically it seemed European captain Paul McGinley had the turn on Tom Watson at each step, with Europe taking a commanding 10 to 6 point lead into the final day.
The final day was again Europe’s, as they came up out on top in the single match-ups to secure the spoils. World No. 1. Rory Mcilroy destroyed his American rival starlet Rickie Fowler, winning 5-up with 4 to play. Justin Rose again epitomized Europe’s determination and work rate, coming form behind to halve the points with Hunter Mahan. Other distinguishing Europeans included Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell, who both showcased some fantastic golf. Martin Kaymer also played his role, in beating Bubba Watson.
It was Jamie Donaldson who finalized the proceedings with a fearless iron shot to within feet of the hole, and who holed the putt that followed to win the Ryder Cup for Europe. Europe’s talent and class over the weekend, was underpinned by a strong work ethic and team spirit that proved too much for the US. Europe sealed victory on Sunday, to keep the prestigious Ryder Cup for another two years.
photo credit to quarriers.org.uk
