Big wins mask small margins

As the dust begins to settle after Europe’s stunning Ryder Cup “Miracle at Medinah”, one thing is crystal clear—the biennial team competition has never been more vibrant or in better health.

Granted, Davis Love III’s deflated American players will need at least a few days to clear heads after their seemingly iron-clad Cup hopes going into Sunday’s concluding singles were left in tatters by Europe’s astonishing comeback.

Needing eight of the 12 points on offer on the last day at Medinah, José María Olazábal’s inspired men ended up with a staggering eight-and-a-half of them to retain the trophy by 14K to 13K.

Europe have now won the Ryder Cup seven times in the last nine editions, suggesting that the trans-Atlantic showdown, while always hugely anticipated, has become a heavily lopsided affair. Yet, all this masks the reality of the last three matches between the two teams, which has underlined how close the contests have become.

Four years ago, the US were under pressure to end a losing run dating back to 1999. Under the bold and imaginative captaincy of Paul Azinger, the Americans delivered in style as they beat Europe by 16K points to 11K in Kentucky.

Long regarded as lacking the close team bonds that always seemed to be a natural fit for the more passionate Europeans, the US gelled superbly that week in the four-man “pod” system devised by Azinger.

Though the Americans were beaten in Wales two years ago, the margin of that defeat was
wafer-thin (14K points to 13K) and the visiting team again showed passion and cohesion, especially through Cup rookies such as Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler.

Fast-forward to last week at Medinah, and the degree of separation between the teams was widely perceived to be non-existent, with some critics predicting an eventual tie.

The two line-ups bristled with firepower and were the strongest in depth ever seen at a Ryder Cup, with long-hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, the world No. 35, the lowest-ranked of the 24 players in action.

On a Medinah layout virtually shorn of rough with lightning-fast greens, the Americans adapted more quickly to the conditions, holing putts in team play when it mattered most to build a commanding 10-6 lead going into the final day. Sunday’s singles then produced one of the most riveting days ever seen in the sport as Europe, with the iconic image of the late Seve Ballesteros on their sleeves and golf bags, started fast and crucially won four of the six matches that ended at the 18th.

American agony contrasted sharply with European ecstasy but Northern Irish world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who won 2 and 1 against the previously unbeaten beat Keegan Bradley, saw the bigger picture.

“This is the most special and unique golf tournament we have, period,” said the 23-year-old McIlroy, who has now played on two triumphant European teams. “To bring this group of guys together; to all play for the same cause; we win together, we lose together, and luckily the last two Ryder Cups, we have won together.”

The perpetually fist-pumping and high-fiving Bradley, one of four US rookies last week, relished the experience as he won three times in team play with his mentor Phil Mickelson. “I’ve never really felt more on a team in my life,” said 26-year-old Bradley. “We are all close, and it was just such an unbelievable week to share with these guys and the captains.

“It’s a week that I’ll never forget, and I’m going to be disappointed that we are not going to get
together tomorrow to all get ready to play.”

The youthful McIlroy and Bradley, both passionate about the game they play for a living,
represent the Ryder Cup’s future. They also underline the close team unity that now clearly exists on both sides of the Atlantic.

Message froma king

European Ryder Cup captain Olazábal, thrilled by a message of congratulations from the king of Spain, was still riding a wave of emotion on Tuesday following his team’s spectacular victory over the US.

“It was an emotional week and a tough one to begin with but the outcome was wonderful and while the phone has been really hot, out of all the messages there is one that stunned me,” Olazábal told a news conference in London.

“The king of Spain called me and he was over the moon like me, so that was a nice one.”

The Spaniard experienced a special moment during the singles matches as he stood on the 12th tee. I was waiting for Lee Westwood to come on to the tee and I looked at the board and all five matches had been won by Europe,” Olazábal said. “I looked at the rest and there was a little gap where everything was red but we were doing OK. All square or maybe one up.

“Lee came on to the tee and asked me how I was doing—I had done my math and thought we still had a chance of winning and I had to walk away. He realized that I was emotional at that time and when he stood over his ball he was thinking, ‘Wow I need to win my point’.”

Olazábal was asked if he would like to lead the team again in the next Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Scotland, in 2014. “Yes, in a way, but I can assure you that is going to be a no,” he said. “First of all, it’s a lot of work. It takes a lot of you during the stretch of time from when you’re named captain to the playing of the Ryder Cup.”

Olazábal said there were a lot of other players who deserved the chance to captain the side. “It’s played once every two years and there are a big number of players that have the chance to be in my position, so clearly I won’t do it again.”

Olazábal said three of his vice-captains at Medinah, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke and Thomas Bjorn, were strong candidates for the role.

“Once they do it, there is Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington. There is a list of eight or nine guys that have a chance of doing it. It would be unfair for me to just name one and I will leave that to the PGA (the Professional Golfers’ Association) but all of them deserve that position.” REUTERS