Europe Win the Ryder Cup in Style

The one thing you could have predicted about the Ryder Cup was rain in Wales but the outcome of the exciting four-day tournament was far from guaranteed, and despite starting the day in a commanding position the European team knew they were in for a tough time. 

Under a clear blue autumn sky the match went right down to the wire as Americans made a determined come back against the Europeans. A magnificent effort by Tiger Woods, determined rounds by Jeff Overton and Dustin Johnson all gave the Americans a clear shot at the title but when Italian, Edwardo Mulinari halved his hole it only left Graeme McDowell needing to keep his head with two points up to take the match 14.5 to 13.5 on the seventeenth hole. 

The 35,000 fans that turned out for the extended Monday match were not left disappointed and treated to some wonderful golf by both teams. Popular Spaniard Miguel Jimenez produced a great game to finish four points up ahead of Rickie Fowler and Ian Poulter put in a marvellous five up against Matt Kuchar but Rory McIlroy showed where the future of the cup lays with a pressured game against the American champion Stewart Cink, importantly halving his match with the last put of his round. 

While the odds on a European victory was always the gamblers favourite bet and 75% of those who did put down money, did so on a European win. It was though by no means a done deal and the American’s did their part in making it an entertaining Ryder Cup.