Ryder Cup win for Europe

Europe completed their mission in the singles to win the 40th Ryder Cup against the US at Gleneagles, maintaining their dominance in claiming their third-in-a-row and eighth in ten.

The US’s one consolation is that they still hold the record for successive wins having achieved seven-in-a-row twice, although that was before the rest of Europe was added to Great Britain. How long before the Southern Hemisphere is added to bolster the beleaguered US ranks?

Captain Paul McGinley’s side led 10-6 going into the final day and reached the 14½ points needed to win the Cup outright when Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson beat Keegan Bradley 4&3 with an immaculate approach to the 15th green that sparked euphoric scenes.

Heading into the final singles there had been talk about the manner in which Europe had come from behind to overturn an identical score in 2012 at Medinah having been written off.
 
The US overturned the same advantage in Brookline in 1999, having so nearly done it from 10½-5½ down at Valderrama two years before.

There was also talk about how Tom Watson was the last US captain to secure victory in Europe back in 1993. However, in the immediate aftermath he was starting to receive flak for his apparent lack of ‘connection’ with his players and some of his decisions, particularly dropping Phil Mickelson all-day Saturday.

Conversely Europe’s captain, Paul McGinley, is being hailed as the best ever. His attention to detail has been immaculate, meeting his players regularly, particularly the unheralded Frenchman, Victor Dubuisson and attending 25 tour events to build his team’s camaraderie.
 
He even arranged for this rising star to be matched with McDowell in a Tour event having decided in advance that they would make a strong pairing. McGinley also introduced a fifth vice-captain, which he claimed made the difference in the afternoon foursomes, which Europe dominated 7-1.

Europe secured the victory without many of their players hitting the heights, particularly McGinley’s wildcard selections. Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallagher both failed to win a match with the former’s undefeated singles record in the Ryder Cup only remaining in tact thanks to a meltdown on the last by Webb Simpson. Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson were immense while Rory McIlroy and Victor Dubuisson also produced some stunning golf.

For the Americans it was their rookies, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, the latter with the highest winning percentage of all participants, who were the in-form players.  Reed produced eight birdies to defeat Henrik Stenson on the last hole in the singles.

Europe never looked in danger of squandering their lead and won the singles session 6½-5½ on a triumphant afternoon at Gleneagles to claim an emphatic 16.5 – 11.5 victory.

The World Number 1, Rory McIlroy, having overcome a slow start to the competition made a blistering start to his round, claiming a 5&4 win against Rickie Fowler before fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell came back from three down to beat Jordan Spieth 2&1.  Even Justin Rose managed to fight back from four down to claim a half on the final green as the Hunter (Mahan) became the hunted!

America can easily point to the demolition they received in the foursomes as the difference between the sides although, having also lost in the singles, can have little to complain about.