Ryder Cup flowing champagne in Paris

Spirited European victory is one for the history books

It was raining champagne in Paris on Monday morning. And tears of joy. Overwhelming joy for Captain Thomas Bjørn and his victorious European Ryder Cup team following their magnificent triumph at ‘Le Golf National’. There were tears of sorrow too as Captain Jim Furyk and his deflated American team licked their wounds after Sunday’s loss – one of the biggest US defeats in recent years. The score: Europe 17 ½ – 10 ½ USA.

It was rather fitting that Open Champion Francesco Molinari should secure the winning point for Europe’s victory in this year’s Ryder Cup (28-30 September). On Sunday, he played so well against America’s Phil Mickelson in his singles match that he didn’t even have to hole out on their final hole. Molinari was 3-up with three holes to play, so was assured of at least half a point. Then, rather unexpectedly, Mickelson’s ball found a watery grave at the 16th and so the five-times Major winner conceded the match.

Molinari’s flair and focus for five points

Thirty-five year old Molinari played with such focus and flair the whole week. His game was as solid as a rock. So solid, in fact, that the player from Turin now goes down in Ryder Cup history as the first European ever to win all five points in one encounter. A feat made all the more amazing by the fact that in his two previous Ryder Cup appearances (2010 and 2012) he only scored one point for Europe by halving two of his matches.

Of all the pairings that thrilled us all week, “Moliwood”, as they became known, were Number One for me. Italian Francesco Molinari and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood were best mates before they teamed up in the Ryder Cup. How they combined and inspired each other on the course was an absolute joy to watch. And, boy, were they having fun!

The leaderboard, like the weather, was looking distinctly blue on Sunday until the first singles match approached the final green. Rory McIlroy was all-square with one hole to play against Justin Thomas. The American had played so superbly with his buddy Jordan Spieth all week in the fourballs and foursomes, apart from losing the Friday afternoon foursomes match to ‘Moliwood’.

Thomas knocked his drive an impressive 320 yards down the last. McIlroy’s drive found the sand. Alas, with his second shot, he didn’t find the fairway. It was the worst case scenario: he left it in the bunker. With his third shot, he didn’t find the fairway either. Far worse. His ball plunged into the water. There was only one thing left for Rory to do. And the player from Northern Ireland did the sporting thing. He conceded his match and shook hands with Thomas on the fairway. America were hitting back at Europe. Next up, Englishman Paul Casey produced an impressive half with this year’s twice Major winner, Brooks Koepka.

America fights back

The sun then seemed to disappear and the air cooled. The crowds were a little quieter. America was drawing closer: Europe 10 ½ – 9 ½ America. It was a hush that would last for just a few minutes as ‘The Postman’ was about to deliver. Yes, Englishman Ian Poulter, to some affectionately known as ‘Mr Ryder Cup’ and to others as ‘The Postman’ because he always delivers when it comes to playing in the Ryder Cup, holed a terrific putt to go one-up on World Number One Dustin Johnson. An ecstatic Poulter exploded into a fit of chest pounding, as only Poulter does. He went on to win his singles point for Europe with a 2-up victory over the player from South Carolina who had holed some colossal putts in his battle against Poulter.

Thorbørn Oleson from Denmark looked destined to be the ‘sacrificial lamb’ when the pairings were announced for Sunday’s singles. He was up against three-times Major winner Jordan Spieth. However, the Ryder Cup debutant took it all in his stride and walked off with a surprising 5&4 victory.

Rahm’s debut made in heaven

Meanwhile another debutant Jon Rahm was also enjoying a terrific first Ryder Cup in France. From the very first tee-shot on day one at Le Golf National, he showed all the passion and determination that we’ve come to expect from Spanish golfers since Seve Ballesteros conquered the world with his charisma. On Sunday, he was up against none other than Tiger Woods in the singles. It was a match made in heaven for the Spaniard as he opened with a birdie to go 1-up and a few hours later closed out on the living legend with a 2&1 victory. Europe 12 ½ – 9 ½ America.

Garcia goes one better than Faldo

Thanks to Molinari’s match victory over Mickelson, Europe’s win was in the bag with 14 ½ points, but it wasn’t all over yet. Traditionally play continues, not only for individual pride but for the sake of an even bigger victory. Indeed in Paris, there was even more at stake. Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who was playing in his ninth Ryder Cup thanks to a wildcard from Captain Thomas Bjørn, was on the threshold of becoming Europe’s all-time leading points scorer in the Ryder Cup. And that’s some achievement when you look back at the long history of the event which began in 1927.

The 38-year old Spanish star, who only won his first Major in 2017 – the Masters at Augusta National – needed to earn three more Ryder Cup points to beat the 25-point record of England’s Sir Nick Faldo. Every day Garcia won a point in Paris. Then on Sunday, in a moment of ecstasy, Garcia beat Californian Rickie Fowler on the 17th by 2&1 and so beat Faldo’s record too. Victory was never so sweet!

Two other Englishmen, Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton, and Alex Noren and Henrik Stenson from Sweden also played their part in Paris. Indeed, Stenson celebrated a resounding 5&4 victory over Bubba Watson in the singles.

“I love my teammates and my Captain. It’s a dream. I’m so proud.”

– Paul Casey

“People say golf is boring. This wasn’t at all boring!”

– Thomas Bjørn

It’s a sentiment held by many, if not all, of the European Team judging by the euphoria on Sunday. What a Ryder Cup! The memories of this year’s Ryder Cup at Le Golf National will long be remembered and cherished by us all: “Allez les Bleus!”

The 42nd edition of the Ryder Cup is one that will long be remembered for its unbelievable quality of golf and good sportsmanship. It’s already being talked of as one of the most spectacular Ryder Cup matches of all time. But what of the twelve best golfers in Europe, some of whom have already proved themselves to be the best in the world, are they still embracing each other in celebration today or just pinching themselves in disbelief?

France really did Europe proud with this year’s Ryder Cup. They were the perfect hosts. And the Albatross Course at Le Golf National near Paris was a joy to behold as well as a true challenge for golf’s elite chosen few in this year’s clash. Then there was the weather. “Ooh, la la!” Blue skies and nothing but sun, sun, sun! It was a magical Ryder Cup – one for the history books – staged in Guyancourt just five miles from the Chateau of Versailles. ‘Le Golf National’ – one for your golf holiday wish-list next season too, no doubt!

Many congratulations to Thomas and the European Team! You put on a classy show of spirited golf and good sportsmanship in Paris. We’re proud of you!

Wendy Hoad