Graham McDowell was the hero as Europe reclaimed the Ryder Cup, beating the USA by 14 & 1/2 points to 13 & 1/2 on a rare sunny day at Celtic Manor. Heavy rain had forced organisers to play the final round on Monday for the first time in the tournaments history and the day was turned blue by the multi national team.
After coming from behind to lead at the dawn of the final day, the pendulum began to swing away from Colin Montgomery's men. Corey Pavin's big guns were firing, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods all romped home comfortably while their opposite numbers; Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer fell to defeat.
The score was level at 13 & 1/2 each with McDowell versus Hunter Mahan the only match left on course. After stuttering, the Irishman hit two wonderful strokes to put him on the green at the 16th. But a viciously fast 14 footer awaited him. It swerved left, then veered right before dropping in on the side of the hole to send McDowell two clear and the watching hoards into a rapturous release of emotion with two to play.
A half in that match would have been enough for the US to retain the trophy but when G-Mac hit the fringe on 17, Mahan dropped short and failed to get on the green with his chip.
Such was the overwhelming emotion, Montgomery was close to tears in the aftermath saying:
"Very proud moment for us all here in Europe, they (the players) all played magnificently, they all gave 110% and that's all I could ask.
"Obviously there is one game that comes down to the last but I just want to talk about every player, playing the way they did and how well they did. They did magnificently, all 12."
Monty looked back on the topsy-turvy scoring through the day and paid credit to the defeated but feisty Americans:
"At one stage there was eight blue names on the board and it was over. But we weren't two or three up, they were one up and that was a dangerous position to be in. They came back extremely well and all credit to them."
The whole experience looked like being a washout for Pavin's team: By the time they discovered on Friday that their 'waterproofs' were in fact leaking, they did well to resist cutting their losses by sneaking off during the eight hour rain delay. They stayed to fight and got themselves in front when the first scores rolled in on Saturday morning. However, the wet Welsh weather was again the only dominant force, as play was suspended for a second time with rivers flowing on fairways and puddles forming fast on the greens.
When the torrents eased to a drizzle, allowing a lunchtime start on Sunday, Europe trailed by six points to four. From six available points, the US were blitzed as Europe high-fived their way to a score of 9 & 1/2 to 6 & 1/2. Five and a half from a possible six, it was the most prolific day for the blue's in Ryder Cup history. As Sky's on course commentator, Richard Boxall put it: "Making hay while the rain fell."
So leading by three full points, the hosts swaggered into the first ever Monday finish and were putting scores together throughout the field: Jimenez, Fisher and Donald were all up early. But first man out Lee Westwood missed a four footer on the sixth to put him two ahead of Steve Stricker. He went on to lose the match by the same margin and his pattern of starting strong before fading on a tournament's final day is startling by it's growing frequency.
Although the Englishman was selected to lead out the troops it was telling that Montgomery chose Padraig Harrington and Graham McDowell to bring them home.
It was hoped they would not be needed, but Monty clearly felt if the tough got going, he wanted proven major champions at the controls:
"Graham McDowell was put there for a very good reason" proclaimed the captain, "he's the US Open champion, he's full of confidence and that showed. That birdie on 16 was, well quite unbelievable."
After all 12 pairings had teed off, Europe were up in seven matches, one was all square and the other four were being led by the US. The fight looked like it could soon be stopped.
Rory McIlroy was entrusted in the second pairing and opened with a superb birdie. In the match of the day; Stewart Cink missed a five foot putt for a half and the young tyro was soon two ahead with two played. But Cink fought back to reclaim the lead by the fifth.
The two would go blow for blow right to the end, it was all square when McIlroy threw caution to the wind on the 18th tee-box, a massive drive dropped into the bunker right of the green.
From there he chpped over the putting surface and into another sand-trap. But the drama still had not ceased, Cink missed a six foot putt for the match and the Hollywood boy needed all his nerve to roll in and claim a half.
Previously the bushy haired youngster described the Tournament as an 'exhibition' but with aggressive determination carved into his face all week, McIlory had clearly changed his mind:
"I wouldn't have said this a year ago, but this is the best event in golf."
Ian Poulter's second at the seventh hole was shot of the day. Chipping in with plenty of pace, had the hole not gotten in the way he could have been in trouble, instead the flamboyant Englishman went four up and won his bout with Matt Kuchar by five.
The Americans had began battling back, taking scalps all over Celtic Manor. Woods turned his deficit against Francesco Molinari into a four point win. The worm had turned.
The score was 13-11 with four games left to come in. Eduardo Molinari led Ricky Fowler by three, then two, then one. Phil Mickelson was four up and Zach Johnson five points better than Harrington. But the knight in shining armour was McDowell, leading Hunter Mahan by two with five to play, it all rested on him.
Hearts were in mouths; Fowler sunk a long putt on the 18th to halve the match.Eduardo had disintegrated.G-Mac hit two wayward shots on the 15th to allow Mahan narrow the gap. The boisterous crowd, seemingly borrowed from football, were more subdued and pensive than at any time since Thursday night.
At 13 and 1/2 points apiece; even Montgomery and his vice captains were resigned to the fact there was little more they could do. McIlroy embraced his countryman as he headed for the 16th, Jimenez dragged on his cigars at an alarming rate. But they needn't have worried, McDowell had the last word.
"I just can't describe the feeling in this golf tournament. Trying to win it for your 11 teammates, the caddies, the fans have been unbelievable, Monty, Europe, there's nothing quite like it.
"The US Open felt like a back nine with my dad back in Portrush compared to that. I was really nervous. Wow! It's a different feeling, just so much pressure
"16 was massive" added McDowell as the crowd interrupted him with cheers of congratulations and a rendition of 'Ole Ole ole'. "It was a fast putt I just had to get it going thankfully it caught an edge, what and edge! It was the best putt of my life."
