October 4 -- The 2010 Ryder Cup had drama, tension, monsoons, emotion, an unprecedented Monday finish, and, finally, a winner and a loser. Here, then, a recap of the 2010 Ryder Cup:
Graeme McDowell. He may have been the last man standing at the U.S.Open, but the eight-year veteran from Northern Ireland showed he has serious game and that Pebble Beach was no fluke.
Hunter Mahan. For sure, the No.16 golfer in the world crumbled under the weight of the Ryder Cup riding on his shoulders. But, golf fans can pin the U.S. defeat on any number of lost opportunities among the 28 matches (see: Sunday’s drubbing in foursomes matches), not just on Mahan’s flubbed 17th hole on Monday. Anyone still doubting how much the Ryder Cup means to the Americans need look no further than Mahan’s emotional post-match press conference.
Phil Mickelson. Winless until his 4&2 singles victory over Peter Hanson Monday, Lefty stepped in to comfort an inconsolable Mahan during the presser. Classy move.
Colin Montgomerie. Who knew that Monty would morph from Mrs. Doubtfire into a strategic genius over the course of a rainy week in Wales? Of course, had the Americans staged a complete comeback, observers might be cracking wise about the sight of the 2010 Euro captain running down the fairway, man-boobs flapping in the sunshine. But no one would do that now, right?
Celtic Manor. This is really about Monty and the way he set up the Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor Resort. The thick rough, narrow fairways, and slow greens tempered the long-hitting bombers on the U.S. team and played to the Euros’ strength.
Corey Pavin. Say what you will about little “Borey” and his control-freakiness, but Mrs. Pavin’s husband did captain the U.S. team to within a half point of victory over a heavily favored Euro team. On the other hand, he lost. And while he may have been an inspiration in the team room, no one outside those four walls will ever know. One more tedious interview with little “Borey” might have sent an entire nation ‘round the twist. In Pavin’s defense, on yet another hand, captain’s picks Rickie Fowler turned out to be clutch down the stretch Monday, and the Tiger Woods of yore showed up for singles play
Stewart Cink. Speaking of captain’s picks, Cink’s sandwich ploy on Saturday was a cagey veteran’s brilliant move. While it was one of those “don’t try this at home” moments (hello, six-hour rounds!), Cink ambled down the fairway chewing on his PB&J, strolled around the green surveying the landscape, sipped some water, looked at his long putt some more, and after three minutes and 12 seconds, finally drained it, icing Rory McIlroy in the process. Looking like the proverbial deer in the headlights, McIlroy missed his short putt and may have also missed the Cink-driven bus that rolled over him.
Tiger Woods. Who was that guy, smiling and playing like the No. 1 golfer in the world? After a 4-up win and firing 9-under through 15 in Monday’s singles, is it safe to say, he’s back?
Sean Foley. Woods’ swing looked better than ever this week. Foley, however, also coaches Mahan, who, it would appear, could use some more “reps” (as Tiger might say) with his short game.
Lee Westwood. Looking fit and healthy after seven weeks of no alcohol, strenuous workouts, and rest for his balky calf muscle, Westwood appeared to be the heart and soul of the Euro team. He celebrated supplanting Mickelson as the world’s No. 2-ranked golfer with a 2&1 singles loss to Steve Stricker Monday, but no matter. The watch is on for him to overtake Woods at the top of the world rankings before the year is over.
Tiger Woods shanked a shot that turned into one of the most amazing golf photos ever. Read and watch how a Ryder Cup photographer took one for the team when he captured Woods’ errant stroke with his camera.
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