G-Mac clinches European Ryder Cup win at Celtic Manor
A thrilling climax at the last day of the Ryder Cup saw Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell hold off Hunter Mahan's challenge to win his singles match 2&1, thus ensuring Europe won 14½ to the USA's 13½.
On the 17th, Mahan made a hash of his chip shot to gift McDowell the hole, later conceding the putt, but this was hardly the straightforward victory that some fans had been expecting after Europe won five of their six matches in yesterday's session.
The scoreline showed what a close-fought battle this was; earlier Rickier Fowler had vindicated his captain Corey Pavin's decision to take him as a wildcard pick earlier on, the Californian halving his match with Edoardo Molinari after the Italian had been 3up with three to play.
There was some irony in the style of that collapse, given the manner of Molinari's ascension to the team - the 2009 world cup winner had made three birdies at the Johnnie Walker Championship in August, a performance that saw him force his way onto Colin Montgomerie's team via a wildcard pick.
Zach Johnson had earlier beaten Padraig Harrington comfortably 3&2 to give the USA a crucial point, and world No. 3 Phil Mickelson had earlier saw off the challenge of Sweden's Peter Hanson, winning 4&2 to secure a point for the USA today that kept Corey Pavin's team in the hunt.
Earlier on, Lee Westwood had unnerved European captain Colin Montgomerie by losing his match with Steve Stricker, while Germany's Martin Kaymer had a poor showing for Europe, losing 6&4 to Dustin Johnson. Indeed, the USA team showed a lot of strength to come so close to getting back into the match, Phil Mickelson overcoming Sweden's Peter Hanson to win 4&2 while Tiger Woods showed some of the talent that has seen him enjoy a status as golf's predominant figure for the past 15 years, the world No. 1 seeing off Francesco Molinari 4&3 with some fine putts and an eagle from the fairway on the 12th.
But of course, the day belonged to Europe's golfers, and Colin Montgomerie must take some credit for that. The Scot risked criticism for his wildcard selection of Padraig Harrington, but even if that choice wasn't exactly Monty's finest hour, the captain clearly galvanised his team at various times over the weekend when it had looked like the US were seizing the initiative.
So then, thanks to Monty's leadership and Mcdowell's presence of mind, Europe are the 2010 Ryder Cup winners. G-mac a good shout for Sports Personality of the Year? Sounds like a good bet...
How the singles finished:
Westwood v Stricker USA WIN 2&1
McIlroy v Cink MATCH HALVED
Donald v Furyk EUROPE WIN 1 UP
Kaymer v Dustin Johnson USA WIN 6&4
Poulter v Kuchar EUROPE WIN 5&4
Fisher v Overton USA WINS 3&2
Jimenez v Bubba EUROPE WINS 4&3
F Molinari v Tiger USA WINS 4&3
E Molinari v Fowler MATCH HALVED
Hanson v Mickelson USA WINS 4&2
Harrington v Zach Johnson USA WINS 3&2
McDowell v Mahan WINS 3&1
EUROPE 14½-13½ USA
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