European golfers have again won the Ryder Cup by defeating their American counterparts. It was a very disappointing day for the American golfers at Medinah Sunday. They resisted well, but could not raise their game, when it required the most and lost by a score of 14.5 to 13.5, after leading 10-6 coming into the final day.
The next Ryder Cup contest will be held two years later at the Gleneagles Hotel in Perth & Kinross, Scotland.
It was sheer excitement at Medinah. The matches were so close that it could have been anybody's game. The crowd loved every bit of it. In the end, though, they were disappointed that the Americans were unable to win it.
"It will go down in the history books of the Ryder Cup," European captain Jose-Maria Olazabal said.
The Americans had tremendous support from the home crowd who cheered them endlessly throughout the game. Europe, however, stood their ground and looked very steadfast to win the elite trophy. Credit mainly goes to Justin Rose and Sergio Garcia, the European golfers, who turned the tables, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
At the presentation ceremony, Captain Olazabal told his team: "What you did out there today was outstanding. You believed and you delivered. And I'm very proud that you have kept Europe's hands on this Ryder Cup. All men die, but not all men live. And you made me feel alive again this week."
Olazabal expressed his gratitude by bowing to his team and hugging every player - the longest hug was for Lee Westwood who was the only member to tour the U.S. in 1997.
Garcia said of the Americans: "We wanted to see how they would react and see if they could hold it. And it was a combination of playing great, and maybe then that little bit of pressure getting to them."
The Americans on the other hand were completely shocked by the loss. They were almost there, coming to the 17th hole 3 times, with a chance to win the match. The Europeans however, delivered shots at crucial moments with Ian Poulter and Rose winning the last two holes, a birdie-birdie finish beating Phil Mickelson. Garcia beat Jim Furyk wining the last two holes with pars.
Furyk described the loss as "pretty miserable.''
Olazabal said: "This one is for all of Europe. Seve (Ballesteros) will always be present with this team. He was a big factor for this event for the European side, and last night when we were having that meeting, I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing. And I think they did."
The Americans won only one of the six matches that went to the 18th hole on Sunday.
Davis Love III, obviously disappointed, said: "Today was certainly not what we expected. We're all kind of stunned. We know what it feels like now from the '99 Ryder Cup. It's a little bit shocking. We were playing so well, we figured it didn't matter how we sent them out there. We got a couple of matches flipped there in the middle that cost us."
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