Let's hear it for Europe
Article posted: 02 October 2012
I have no doubt that it was the greatest comeback of all time in the Ryder Cup and possibly any other sport
What can I say? It was perhaps the most dramatic, exciting and unbelievable final day in the history of the Ryder Cup.
It should be 33 not just three cheers for Europe after an amazing comeback in Chicago saw Jose Maria Olazabal’s side snatch victory when all around were predicting defeat.
Europe trailed by ten points to six after the USA dominated the first two days, but as anybody who was at Brookline in 1999 will testify, that is not an unassailable lead.
But it had never been done before by a visiting team so I have no doubt that it was the greatest comeback of all time in the Ryder Cup and possibly any other sport.
The spirit of Severiano Ballesteros definitely lived on at Medinah and what a great touch to have the team wearing Seve’s trademark colours during the last round. Jose Maria may have had trouble holding back the tears and he definitely wasn’t the only one.
From Luke Donald’s lead-off win to Francesco Molinari’s match-winning half against Tiger Woods, Europe had heroes all through the card and I was particularly delighted that Lee Westwood weighed in with another point in the singles after some, who should know better, were writing him off.
Nobody will be writing Europe off ever again.
Congratulations also to Branden Grace who held off the challenge of ISM stablemate Allan Versfeld to claim his fourth title of the season at the Vodacom Origins of Golf Final at Fancourt.
Now I’m in Scotland for one of my favourite weeks of the year. The Alfred Dunhill Links gives me the opportunity to get back into the swing of things again, but I’m not sure I’ll be pulling off anything quite like what Europe did at the weekend.
Whatever happens, it’s going to be another memorable week.
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