Europe Deliver With Everything Ryding On The Final Match

Sporting contests that are decided in the very last minute or come down to a final drive or play, are those that are the best remembered and provide the greatest entertainment. The also bestow the best opportunity for a new ulcer, nails bitten down to the quick, or the direst need for a quick cigarette to calm the troubled nerves. The 2010 Ryder Cup in Wales was no exception when Europe prevailed 14½ to 13½, the narrowest margin possible, in the final game of the series. It just doesn't get any better than this.

Super Saturday saw Europe, with home field advantage, surge ahead with a series of wins, taking both foursomes. This took the Europeans from 6-4 down, to being up by 9½ to 6½. The favoured Europe side (how they were preferred with the world's #1 and #2 players on the American team is beyond me) were then expected to comfortably walk away with the trophy. But the U.S. staged a valiant fightback with Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jeff Overton and Zach Johnson all victorious in their matches.

With the scores locked at 13½ each, there was only one match left to play, pitting the U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell against Hunter Mahan for the big prize. McDowell sank a crucial 15-footer on the 16th green to move two up with two holes to play. He then shot a sound approach on the 17th leaving Mahan with a tricky putt from the edge of the green to salvage the match. Unfortunately, the American didn't sink it and the miss sparked jubilant scenes of celebration as the European fans invaded the course to mob their heroes. McDowell admitted later that the pressure during his win at Pebble Beach earlier this year was nothing compared to the tension he felt while standing over the putt at the 16th.

Who expected humble golf to provide such fireworks? In a game where sometimes the grass grows quicker than the play unfolds, it was absolutely heart-stopping at times. I still think that my Scottish ancestors who invented the game were just sheep-stealing larrikins with too much free time on their hands, but this years Ryder Cup was everything a top-notch sporting event should be. Congratulations to Europe, but the United States will be gunning for you next time, for sure!