2014 Ryder Cup: Europeans too good for Americans, again

Europe claim their eighth Ryder Cup victory in the last ten starts, beating the Americans 16.5 to 11.5 at Gleneagles in Scotland overnight.

The standard of golf at the Ryder Cup has again led some to suggest that it is the best tournament in golf. Even better than the Masters. And if the standard of golf, atmosphere and size of the crowds are anything to go by, they just may be right.

Yesterday’s final day singles matches were incredible to watch – catch the video highlights here. The crowds surrounding the opening hole at the start of play were at least 5 or 6 people deep, the chants and cheers made for spine-tingling viewing, and it all began with a little warm-up routine from the world’s favourite golfer – Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

Many of the golfers were encouraged to give a little dance on the first tee and Bubba Watson once again encouraged the fans to make as much noise as possible during his opening tee shot.

The fun and games got a little ugly when Patrick Reed was heckled by someone in the crowd. Some guys asked if Reed had practised his putting – alluding to a short missed putt the day before.

Reed eventually had the last laugh. He produced some equally unsportsmanlike behaviour when he shushed the crowd on the 7th green after draining a birdie putt to square his match with Henrik Stenson.

Reed went on to win the match with golf fans either labelling the drama as ugly or par for the course at the Ryder Cup.

As Jordan Spieth charged out of the blocks to take a 3-up lead against Graeme McDowell, for a brief moment one wondered if the USA could come back from a 10 – 6 deficit the way the Europeans did in 2012 at Medinah.

But as Rory McIlroy produced a clinical, unmerciful victory over Rickie Fowler and Martin Kaymer had all but beaten Bubba Watson, Europe were edging closer to the four points needed to retain the Ryder Cup trophy.

If their was a significant moment on the final day when it became clear the Europeans would win it was Justin Rose’s remarkable recovery shot at the 13th hole. Nestled under a tree and behind a bush, Rose blasted out and his ball finished 6-feet from the hole. “That was a bit of Seve for you,” he told the camera as he walked to the green.

McDowell produced a stunning comeback to eventually defeat Spieth 2&1 and when Jamie Donaldson hit his approach shot to a foot at the 15th green to defeat Keegan Bradley, the party started.

It seems that Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson weren’t expecting to lose.

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