Europe produced the most inforgettbale comeback in Ryder Cup history at Medinah to overturn the USA’s lead and claim victory on Sunday.
In doing so they provided what will probably come to be recalled as the greatest Ryder Cup story of all time.
Trailing 10-6 going into the Sunday singles play, Jose Maria Olazabal’s troops required at least eight of the 12 points on offer just to retain the cup, and amazingly they managed to secure enough points for an outright win against a shell-shocked US team.
The victorious Europeans credited the spirit of the late, great Seve Ballesteros as the catalyst that gave them the belief to achieve their goal.
On an incredible afternoon in Chicago, Olazabal sent his big guns into battle early to try and provide the platform required to stage a comeback.
Luke Donald, the imperious Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and veteran Paul Lawrie duly ensured Europe won the top five matches and in doing so wiped out the US lead and silenced the boisterous home fans.
Lee Westwood put another point on the board before Sergio Garcia toppled Jim Furyk on the final green to pave the way for ice-cool Martin Kaymer to sink a six-foot putt to retain the cup for Europe.
More drama was to follow as Tiger Woods inexplicably missed a short putt to hand Francesco Molinari a half-match and in doing so gift Europe the outright win.
Joyous scenes followed as Team Europe tried to grasp the enormity of their achievement and having played in Ballesteros’ famed navy and white colours on Sunday afternoon, the great Spaniard was clearly close to their thoughts all day.
“I have no doubt in my mind that he was with me today all day, because there’s no chance I would have won my match if he wasn’t there,” said Garcia following his late win over a crest-fallen Furyk.
“It was amazing and it feels so good to be able to win it for him and for our captain, Jose; it’s been amazing,” he added.
Rose sank an amazing birdie putt on the 17th to tie up his match with Phil Mickelson and the Englishman then birdied the final hole to really give Europe belief they could turn the match around.
Rose was clearly proud of his Seve-like performance, and said: “In the moment you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, but as soon as I holed that putt (on the 18th), as soon as I came off the green, my first thought has been to Seve, absolutely.
“I had a glance down and looked at my left sleeve and that’s the kind of stuff he would have done.”
Team captain Olazabal will forever be associated with his late compatriot Ballesteros, and the emotional skipper was delighted with the circumstances, given this was the first Ryder Cup since Seve’s passing.
“It’s the first time that he’s not here with us at the Ryder Cup. I do have wonderful memories from my matches with him. He was a very special man and he’s very close to my heart,” Olazabal said.
“All these guys sitting here know how much this week has meant to me. I get emotional about it but I want to thank them for what they did. They gave me the best week of my life.”
The European Tour will swing back into action on Thursday with the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, where victorious European team members Paul Lawrie and Lee Westwood are expected to be action.
