Ryder Cup folklore is replete with stories of heroic efforts, left ingrained in the sands of time, to be told time and again. Special column by Anand Datla
Justin Rose & Henrik Stenson produce a memorable magic potion – Ryder Cup folklore is replete with stories of heroic efforts, left ingrained in the sands of time, to be told time and again. The Europeans caught fire midway through their match against Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar.
Once they did, they turned into a juggernaut – an unstoppable force that swamped the Americans, even as they sent European hopes soaring into the Scottish skies. Rose got on a birdie streak at the 8th hole on Saturday morning and shot four of them through the 13th hole to underline his team’s surging aspirations.
Together, Rose and Stenson made as many as 12 birdies to not just clinch a valuable point, but score an invaluable psychological blow over the visitors. This is one match that is certain to decorate the gilted pages of Ryder Cup tales.
A halved point that felt like a victory – Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia had been out and about the park without too much to show for it through Friday and much of Saturday. The duo surrendered meekly over the final stretch on Saturday morning to suffer a defeat at the hands of Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley.
In the afternoon again, McIlroy and Garcia were almost down and out against Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler. But in a sudden moment of inspiration, the Northern Irishman sank a putt from 40 feet out to energise the team and push the fourball into the 18th.
But again, McIlroy drove into the rough and it appeared that the Americans only had to sit tight to turn the point red. This time, Garcia pulled out a five wood from 200 yards away to set up an easy birdie and out of nowhere the Europeans halved the point.
It was a drawn match that felt blue at the end and one that finally vitalized McIlroy into the force he was meant to be.
Remember, the Americans had a rousing start – Though the score might suggest, it was Europe all the way, that was far from the case. The team from across the Atlantic was forceful in their morning outings. On the first day, all eyes were on the match Mickelson and Bradley were playing against McIlroy and Garcia. Going into the 16th it appeared the Americans were set to suffer a crushing blow in the marquee match.
Amidst cheers of “Keegan, Keegan”, Bradley unleashed a wood that flew like an eagle. It was an eagle that stunned their opponents and swung the momentum right back for the American duo. Eventually, Bradley used that immense shot of energy to snatch the point away with a fine effort for birdie at the final hole.
Garcia’s expression defines the Ryder Cup experience – Sergio Garcia is one of those elite golfers who spend a lifetime waiting to win their first major. Always there, but never near enough. But offer him a scent of the Ryder Cup and the Spaniard turns into a simmering bull waiting to go on a rampage.
Garcia was largely dormant for the first four sessions, before taking a life of his own in the singles. The eternal bridesmaid turned chaplain in a sudden burst of prolific shot making over the final stretch of his match on Sunday.
He finished with a brilliant flourish, three birdies and an eagle to clinch a point for his team. More poignantly, he found a minute on the 17th to let out his love and passion for the team event with a sudden burst of tears to commemorate yet another European victory. Moments such as those go to make this event so special.
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