Irish Ryders on the Storm

Victorious European Ryder Cup Team 2010

Photograph: rydercup.com

Yesterday an Irishman clinched the vital point for Europe in the Ryder Cup. Graeme McDowell was well aware that in securing the crucial point he followed in the footsteps of fellow Irishmen Christy O’Connor (1989), Philip Walton (1995), and Paul McGinley (2002).

It rounded off a remarkable tournament in Wales with Europe – the overwhelming favourites going into the event – pushed all the way by a tenacious United States team, winning by the narrowest of margins: 14.5-13.5.

Things looked bleak on Friday as the weather threatened to spoil the world’s greatest festival of golf. Play was stopped. Hastily organisers was changed the schedule of play in an attempt to finish on the weekend. Sunday rolled around and torrential rain halted proceedings again.

Extended to the Monday, the tournament was cast into still further doubt when the weather gods toyed with the hearts of spectators as a fog descended on players at the first tee. This forced a further delay. But the sun persevered, eventually breaking through, and we were treated to a golfing feast of the highest quality.

Luke Donald and Ian “angry eyes” Poulter proved to be the best scorers for Europe with three and a half points from their four matches. Padraig Harrington struggled to shrug off the intense criticism showered on him by the press for Monty's selection of him as a wild card; yet the three-time Major champion managed a creditable two points from a possible four.

Lots of rain delays at the 2010 Ryder Cup

Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA

Tiger Woods also surprised commentators who questioned his wild card selection (citing a lack of form, his state of mind, and his poor history in the competition). In the four balls and foursomes Woods showed flashes of his past brilliance alongside partner Steve Stricker.

But in the singles Woods was the Woods of old as he blew away Francesco Molinari with six birdies and an eagle leaving him eight under par after 15 holes. In the end Tiger finished the tournament as the joint highest scorer for the Americans securing three out of a possible four points.

With the change in the schedule necessitating all players play for three straight sessions, the winning team was always going to be the team with the greatest depth. And so it proved with only three Europeans failing to average at least a half point each time they entered the fray. Six US players fell short of this mark, Phil Mickelson perhaps the most notable of these, only picking up a solitary point from his four matches.

I felt for the US’s Hunter Mahan who in my opinion played great golf all week and was unlucky not to pick up more points for his side. His passion for the Ryder Cup was on display throughout the event and most visibly evident during the post match press conference when he broke down when facing questions.

So we await Medinah Country Club for the 2014 edition of the Cup. Monty has said he wants to play. Health permitting Olly is odds on to be captain. Poulter is the only player of either side guaranteed to play. Two years for European’s to savour after the sweetest of victories.

Individual Performances in the 2010 Ryder Cup

Europe

Europe's G-Mac and Rorsy

Donald    3/4
Poulter    3/4
Kaymer  2.5/4
MacDowell 2.5/4
Westwood 2.5/4
Jiminez 2/3
Fisher 2/4
Harrington 2/4
McIlroy 2/4
Hanson 1/3
E. Molinari 1/3
F. Molinari 0.5/3

USA

Harrington catching some kip in the
locker room during one of the rain delays.
In spite of Monty's Twitter "ban" Poulter
caught him and stuck it online. Rapid.

Pic: @IanJamesPoulter

Stricker 3/4
Woods 3/4
Cink 2.5/4
Kucher 2/4
Z Johnson 2/3
Overton2/4
Fowler 1/3
Mahan 1/3
D. Johnson 1/4
Mickelson 1/4
Watson 1/4
Furyk 0.5/3