Europeans struggle in search of second singles miracle
Hats off and congratulations to America for winning the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine! And all credit to Davis Love III who dared to take on the captaincy of the American Ryder Cup team this year for the second time. It was the 41st staging of the biennial contest between the United States of America and Europe, and the veteran of six Ryder Cups as a player, and winner of 21 events on the PGA Tour, clearly had one mission in mind: a storming US victory. The result was overwhelmingly in America’s favour: USA 17 – 11 Europe.
It was inevitable, I suppose, that after all the exciting build-up to one of the greatest sporting spectacles on the calendar and the record number of extremely raucous (mainly American) crowds of more than 50,000 per day at Hazeltine, that Sunday would be a bit of an anti-climax. Even the cries of “Get in the hole!” and the even worse, “Get in the water!”, quietened on the closing day, thank goodness!
The Miracle of Medinah
Yes, revenge was sweet for the 52-year old from Illinois. During his first stint as Captain in 2012, he had witnessed ‘The Miracle of Medinah’. Although the miracle was actually a complete nightmare for Love. The US were all set to regain the trophy at Medinah for the first time since 2008, when the Ryder Cup was staged at Valhalla GC in Kentucky. Europe, led by José Maria Olazábal, made an unbelievable, and totally unexpected, come-back in the Sunday singles. From 10-6 behind, they turned the tide to seize the trophy, beating America narrowly by 14 ½ – 13 ½.
A very wise Davis Love III elected five vice-captains to aid his cause at the Hazeltine National Course in Minnesota. However, not just any old vice-captains. He had gathered probably the most amazing line-up of experienced and inspiring players to assist him that any Ryder Cup captain has ever had: Tom Lehman, Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, and the icing on the cake – with six Masters titles between them – Tiger Woods and Bubba Watson. Who would have thought a few years ago that Tiger, at the tender age of 40, would become a Ryder Cup vice-captain instead of playing in the team?! That’s golf!
Interesting to realise though that, in 2012, Tiger only picked up a half point for his country at Medinah and that was in the singles against the Italian Francesco Molinari.
Impressive debut for Koepka
Brooks Koepka, America’s sole rookie in this year’s Ryder Cup team, was not a wildcard pick by Captain Davis Love III. The twenty-six year old talent simply played his way into the team as one of America’s top-8 automatic qualifiers. After a tremendous season, he had well and truly earned his place in the elite 12-man squad and at Hazeltine proved his worth.
Koepka played in four sessions earning three points for his country. During each of his three victories, he formed an awesome partnership with Brandt Snedeker. It was only when he was sent out as the top pairing with Dustin Johnson in the Saturday afternoon four-balls that he lost a match. And naturally, that was an outcome that most European golf fans would have had a flutter on. The Americans were beaten by the red-hot duo of Rory McIlroy alongside Europe’s best ever rookie in the Ryder Cup, the Belgian Thomas Pieters, by 3&1. (Read more about Thomas Pieters and the impressive four points he scored at Hazeltine …)
Despite being a half point better off at the start of the singles on Sunday this year than at Medinah in 2012, Europe did not manage to pull-off a second miracle. Davis Love III, who had the honour of being only the eighth man ever to serve as the US Ryder Cup Captain on more than one occasion, led his experienced team admirably, ably assisted by his army of vice-captains and the all-important 13th man, the crowds.
Wendy Hoad
The Ryder Cup
Hazeltine National Golf Course, Chaska, Minnesota, USA. 30 September – 2 October 2016
Final result: USA 17 – 11 Europe
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