Golf Events from the Weekend 29th September 2012

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours from around the world. This week both the European Tour and USPGA Tour along with the PGA of America held the 39th Ryder Cup Matches which are a bi – annual teams event played between Team USA and Team Europe and this year it was Team USA’s turn to stage them as in 2010 they were played in Wales giving the home advantage to the European Team. Each team has home advantage every four years. This year they were played at the Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois.

The United States Team was: Davis Love III – Captain; Keegan Bradley; Jason Dunfer, Jim Furyk; Dustin Johnson; Zach Johnson; Matt Kuchar; Phil Mickelson; Brandt Snedeker; Webb Simpson; Steve Stricker; Bubba Watson; Tiger Woods; Fred Couples – Assistant Captain; Mike Hulbert – Assistant Captain; Jeff Sluman – Assistant Captain; Scott Verplank – Assistant Captain.

The European Team was: Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) – Captain; Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium); Luke Donald (England); Sergio Garcia (Spain); Peter Hanson (Sweden); Martin Kaymer (Germany); Paul Lawrie (Scotland); Graeme McDowell (NIR); Rory McILroy (NIR); Francesco Molinari (Italy); Ian Poulter (England); Justin Rose (England); Lee Westwood (England); Thomas Bjorn (Denmark) – Vice Captain; Darren Clarke (NIR) – Vice Captain; Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) – Vice Captain; Paul McGinley (Ireland) – Vice Captain. 

All twelve playing Members of the 39th European Ryder Cup Team plus their Team Captain - Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) poses with the Ryder Cup Trophy!!

The Open Ceremony was on Thursday Morning with Davis Love III (USA) – USA Team Captain and Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) – European Team Captain giving great opening speeches and introducing their teams. Justin Timberlake the famous America Singer performed the master of ceremonies. Then it was all on Friday Morning for the opening first day foursomes matches. Rory McIlroy (NIR)/Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe defeated Jim Furyk (USA)/Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA 1up; Phil Mickelson (USA)/Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA defeated Luke Donald (England)/Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe 4&3; Jason Dufner (USA)/Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA defeated Lee Westwood (England)/Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe 3&2 and in the final match in the Friday Morning foursomes, Ian Poulter (England)/Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe defeated Steve Stricker (USA)/Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA 2&1. So Team Europe and Team USA had had two points apiece heading into the Friday afternoon Four ball Matches.

The first match in the Friday Afternoon Four ball matches was Bubba Watson (USA)/Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA verse Paul Lawrie (Scotland)/Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe. Bubba Watson (USA)/Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA set a nine hole four ball record when they scored 29-7 for the front nine and were 6 up after nine holes eventually winning the match 5&4; Phil Mickelson (USA)/Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA defeated Rory McILroy (NIR)/Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe 2&1; Dustin Johnson (USA)/Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA defeated Justin Rose (England)/Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe 3&2 and the final Four Ball match was extremely close with Lee Westwood (England)/ Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe defeating Tiger Woods (USA)/ Steve Stricker (USA) 1up. Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe scored a brilliant round of 63-9 on his own ball to have a fantastic Ryder Cup debut. But Team USA won the Friday Afternoon Four Ball Matches 3-1 over Team Europe and that meant after day one they took a 5-3 lead heading into the day two.

So to Day Two and the Saturday Morning Foursomes Matches. Bubba Watson (USA)/Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA verse Ian Poulter (England)/Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe. Bubba Watson (USA) encouraged the crowd to keep cheering while they teed off on the first tee which was a first in the Ryder Cup. Ian Poulter (England)/Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe eventually ended up winning the match 1up. Phil Mickelson (USA)/Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA kept their winning record intact thrashing Lee Westwood (England)/Luke Donald (England) 7&6. Jason Dufner (USA)/Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA defeated Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium)/Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe 2&1 and in the last match of the Saturday Morning Foursomes Matches, Jim Furyk (USA)/ Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA defeated Rory McILroy (NIR)/Graeme McDowell (NIR) 1up. Team USA now had 8 points to Team Europe’s 4 points.

So to the Saturday Afternoon Four Ball matches. In the first match Dustin Johnson (USA)/Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA defeat Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium)/Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe 1up; Bubba Watson (USA)/Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA easily accounted for Justin Rose (England)/Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe 5&4. Tiger Woods (USA)/Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA lost narrowly lost to Sergio Garcia (Spain)/Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe 1down. In the final match of the Saturday Afternoon Four Ball matches Rory McILroy (NIR)/Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe prevailed in a very close match over Jason Dufner (USA)/Zach Johnson for Team Europe 1up. Ian Poulter (England) birdied the final 5 holes and had to hole a left to right breaking birdie putt from 15feet to win the match which he did and he showed lots of emotion in doing it. So heading into the 12 Sunday Singles Matches, Team USA had 10 points and Team Europe had 6 points. If Team Europe were to win tomorrow they would have to create history because no team has ever come back from 4 points down heading into the Sunday Singles Matches on opposition soil.

 So to the 12 Sunday Singles matches. Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) the European Team Captain had called a Team meeting the night before and told his team that he “Believes” they can still win the 39th Ryder Cup Matches. The crowd did it’s usual loud cheering as they waited for the first match to arrive on the first tee. The first match was Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe verse Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA. The first hole was halved in birdie 3’s on the short par 4; Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe goes 1up on the second hole with a par on the difficult par 3 to a Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA bogey 4. They both halve the Par4, 3rd hole in pars. Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe extends his lead on the Par 4, 4th hole where he makes a birdie 3 that can’t be matched Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA. So Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe is now 2up. They then have six consecutive halved holes in a row from holes 5 to 10. Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe goes 3up on the Par 4, 11th hole with a birdie to a Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA par. Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe went 4up on the Par 4, 12th hole with a Par 4 to a Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA bogey 5. They halved holes 13 and 14 and that meant Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe was now dormie 4up over Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA. But Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA wins the short par 4, 15th hole with a birdie 3 and is now dormie 3down. Now onto the difficult Par 4, 16th hole and Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe looks certain to close out the match here being on the green with a 20 foot putt for birdie and Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA short of the green in the front rough. Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA then chips in for his birdie 3 and Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe is unable to hole his birdie putt. So Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA was now only dormie 2 down. But Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe finished the match off on the Par 3, 17th hole when he played a fine bunker shot from the back of the green to a foot from the cup. Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA hit his tee shot well over the back of the green and was faced with a very difficult chip shot that he had to hole. This time he couldn’t pull the Rabbit out of the hat like he did on the previous hole and came up just short of the green on the fringe. Bubba Watson (USA) for Team USA concedes the Match to Luke Donald (England) for Team Europe; the final result is 3&1. Team USA now lead 10 points to 7 points over Team Europe.

The second Sunday Singles Match was Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe verse Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA. They halved the short Par 4, 1st hole in birdie 3’s. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA makes a solid par on the Par 3, 2nd hole which couldn’t be matched by Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe. So Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA went 1up. They halved the Par 4, 3rd hole in Par 4’s so Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA was still 1up. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA birdied the Par 4, 4th hole that couldn’t be matched by Ian Poulter (England), so Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA goes 2up after 4 holes. Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe came back on the Par 5, 5th hole with a birdie which couldn’t be matched by Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA and Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe was now only 1 down after 5 holes. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA won the Par 4, 6th hole to go back to 2 up over Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe who could only manage a bogey 5. Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe won the Par 5, 7th hole with a birdie and went back to 1 down over Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA who could only manage a bogey on that same hole. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA hit the one dreaded shot in golf which is a shank off the short par 3, 8th tee and eventually made a bogey four, Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe made a par 3 and squared up the Match after 8 holes. They halved the Par 4, 9th hole in pars so at the turned they were still all square. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA won the Par 5, 10th hole with a birdie 4 to Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe bogey 5. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA was now back to 1 up. They halved the Par 4, 11th hole in Par 4’s. Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe won the Par 4, 12th hole with a birdie 3 to a Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA par 4 and suddenly the match was all square again. They halved holes 13 to 16 and came to the very difficult Par 3, 17th hole still all square. Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe hit a fine tee shot and landed it just on the back fringe. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA landed his ball in the green side bunker, he splashes his second shot out to 12 feet. Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe hits a brilliant putt from the back fringe that stops inches short of the cup and he was conceded his par 3. Then Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA just misses his 12 footer for par on the right hand side. Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe takes a dormie 1 up lead to the last hole and is up in the Match for the first time. Both Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe and Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA reached the 18th green in two shots. Webb Simpson (USA) for Team USA putts first from 45 feet and missed the putt well to the right. He conceded Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe his 13 foot birdie putt. So the final result in the match was Ian Poulter (England) for Team Europe won 2up. Team USA now lead 10 points to 8 points over Team Europe.

So to the third match of the day in the Sunday Singles and it was between Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe verse Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe got to the course only 10 minutes before his tee time due to a confusion with time zones and what time he thought he was teeing off according to the Golf Channel. But the Golf Channel were showing the tee times in only eastern American time and Illinois where the 39th Ryder Cup was being played is on central time which is an hour different. But the main thing was he got to the first tee on time. It didn’t affect his play though as they both halved the first three holes. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe made a birdie 3 on the Par 4, 4th hole and Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA could only manage a bogey 5. Rory McILroy (NIR) went to 1 up. They both halved the Par 5, 5th hole in birdie 4’s so Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe was still 1 up. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe birdied the Par 4, 6th hole and Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA could only manage a par 4 so Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe went to 2up. They halved the Par 5, 7th hole in par 5’s. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA won the Par 3, 8th hole with a birdie 2 to a Rory McILroy (NIR) par 3. So Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe was now only 1up after 8 holes. Rory McILroy (NIR) birdied the Par 4, 9th hole and Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA could only manage a par 4. So Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe headed into the back nine 2up. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA won the Par 5, 10th hole with a birdie 4 to a Rory McILroy (NIR) par 5. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe lead was now only 1up. They halved the Par 4, 11th hole in Par 4’s. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA won the Par 5, 12th hole with a birdie to a Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe par. And suddenly the match was all square after 12 holes. They halved the Par 3, 13th hole in Par 3’s. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe birdied the Par 5, 14th hole and Keegan Bradley could only manage a Par 5 so Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe went 1up with four holes to play. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe made birdie at the short Par 4, 15th hole and Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA could only manage a par 4. So Rory McILroy (NIR) was now 2up with three holes to play. They halved the long Par 4, 16th hole in pars. So Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe was now dormie 2up. They both hit the very difficult Par 3, 17th hole green in regulation with Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA slightly closer than Rory McILroy (England) for Team Europe. Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe rolls his birdie putt up stone dead and is conceded his Par 3. Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA now knows he must hole his birdie putt from 20feet to take the match down the 18th hole. He strikes a good putt but it just misses on the right hand side and Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe wins the Match 2&1. Team USA now lead 10 points to 9 points over Team Europe.

Rory McILroy (NIR) for Team Europe celebrates after winning his match over Keegan Bradley (USA) for Team USA 2&1

So to the fourth match of the day in the Sunday Singles and it was Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe verse Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe made a birdie 3 at the Par 4, 1st hole and Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA could only manage a Par 4. So Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe goes 1up after the first hole. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe hits a brilliant tee shot in to the Par 3, 2nd hole that comes to rest 3 feet from the flag stick. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA hits a weak tee shot and it lands up in the water short of the green. He plays his 3rd shot from the drop zone and realistically has to hole it but doesn’t and concedes to Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe. Justin Rose (England) is now 2up after 2 holes. They both make Par 4’s on the Par 4, 3rd hole. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA pars the Par 4, 4th hole to a Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe bogey. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe is now only 1up. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA birdies the Par 5, 5th hole and Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe can only manage a par. So the Match is back to All Square after 5 holes. They halve the Par 4, 6th hole in par 4’s. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe then makes a fine eagle 3 on the Par 5, 7th hole and Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 5. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe is back to 1up. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA hit his tee shot inside 10 feet on the Par 3, 8th hole. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe hits his tee shot just outside it. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe putts for his birdie 2 but it just misses on the right hand side and is conceded his par. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA then knocks his 10 foot right to left breaking birdie putt right in the centre of the cup for his birdie 2 and the match is all square again. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe then makes a birdie on the Par 4, 9th hole and Phil Mickelson (USA) can only manage a par 4. So after nine holes Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe is 1up. They halve the Par 5, 10th hole in Par 5’s. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA then birdies the Par 4, 11th hole and Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe can only manage a Par 4. So the match becomes all square again after 11 holes. They halve the holes 12 and 13 so the match is still all square after 13 holes. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA makes birdie on the Par 5, 14th hole and it can’t be matched by Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA is now 1up with four holes to play. They halve the 15th and 16th holes. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA displayed great sportsmanship on the 16th green when he himself holed a 10 foot putt for a par first and that left Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe a putt for par of the same length to remain only 1 down. He rolled it right in the middle of the cup and Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA gave him a clap and said “Well done Justin”. So Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA was 1up with 2 holes to play. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA hits his tee shot just over the Par 3, 17th hole leaving himself a delicate chip shot. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe put his ball safely on the putting surface at the back of the green. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA strikes a stunning chip shot and almost holes it. He is conceded his par 3. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe now has his long birdie putt to square the match and he strikes a perfect putt that rattles into the back of the cup!! The match is all square with only the 18th hole to play. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA hit the Par 4, 18th fairway. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe drive just rolls into the right hand rough. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA plays his second shot first and he over shoots the green with his short iron leaving a difficult chip for his third shot. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe strikes an awesome second shot within 12 feet of the hole. Phil Mickelson (USA) for Team USA plays a good chip for his third shot under the circumstances and leaves a putt under 10 feet for his par. Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe now has his 12 foot birdie to win the match, he steady’s  himself and then hits the perfect putt and it rolls right in the centre of the cup!!  He punches the air with his fist to celebrate!! Justin Rose (England) for Team Europe wins the match 1up. Team USA are now all square with Team Europe at 10 points all!!

The fifth match of the Sunday Singles was between Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe verse Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA. They halved the first three holes. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe holes an amazing chip shot from over the back of the Par 4, 4th green for a birdie 3. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 4. So Paul Lawie (Scotland) for Team Europe is 1up after four holes. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe makes a brilliant eagle on the Par 5, 5th hole. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA can only manage a birdie 4. So Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe is 2up after 5 holes. They halved holes 6-8. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe birdied the Par 4, 9th hole and Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA couldn’t match it. So Paul Lawire (Scotland) for Team Europe is 3up after nine holes. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA birdies the Par 5, 10th and the best Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe can do is a Par 5. So Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe is now only 2up. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe makes a par 4 on the 11th hole and Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. So Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe moves to 3up with 7 holes to play. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe hit a great second shot into the Par 4, 12th hole. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA has really struggle on this hole and has a longer putt for par than Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe has for birdie. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA misses his par putt and concedes the hole to Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe is now 4up with six holes to play. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) makes a solid par 3 on the difficult 13th hole and best Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA can do is a bogey four. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe is now dormie 5up. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA makes a birdie 4 on the par 5, 14th hole and Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe can only manage a par 5. So Paul Lawrie (Scotland) is now only dormie 4up. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe lays up on the short par 4, 15th hole leaving a short wedge shot for his second. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA tries to drive the green and comes up just short. Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe hits a brilliant wedge shot into 4 feet from the pin. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team Europe now must hole his chip shot for eagle to keep the match going. He strikes a poor chip shot that comes up 10 feet short. Brandt Snedeker (USA) for Team USA putts for his birdie 3 for any chance to keep the match going but misses on the left hand side. He concedes Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe his putt and Paul Lawrie (Scotland) for Team Europe wins the match 5&3. Team Europe now leads 11 points to 10 points over Team USA.

The Sixth Match of the Sunday Singles was between Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe who was making his Ryder Cup debut verse Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA won the first hole with a birdie 3 that couldn’t be matched by Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe. So Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA when 1up. They halved holes 2-3. Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe made a solid par 4 on the Par 4, 4th hole and Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA couldn’t match it, so the match is now all square after four holes. They halve the Par 5, 5th hole in birdie 4’s. Dustin Johnson (USA) makes a long putt for a birdie 3 on the par 4, 6th hole and it can’t be matched by Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA moves back to 1up. They halve holes 7-8. Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe birdies the Par 4, 9th hole and Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA can only manage par so the match is all square after nine holes. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA made a Par 5, on the 10th hole and Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe could only manage a bogey 6. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA now is 1up with 8 holes to play. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA makes a solid par on the par 4, 11th hole and it can’t be matched by Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe who could only manage a bogey 5. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA is now 2up with 7 holes to play. Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe makes a birdie 4 on the Par 5, 12th hole and it can’t be matched by Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA who makes a par 5. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA is now only 1up with 6 holes to play. Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe makes a solid par on the par 3, 13th hole and it can’t be matched by Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA who makes a bogey 4. Match is all square with 5 holes to play. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA birdies the Par 5, 14th hole and Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe can only manage a par 5. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA is back to 1up with four holes to play. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA makes a birdie 3 on the short par 3, 15th hole and it can’t be matched by Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe who can only manage a Par 4. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA is now 2up with three holes to play. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA makes a solid par 4 on the difficult Par 4, 16th hole and it can’t be matched by Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) for Team Europe who makes a bogey 5. Dustin Johnson (USA) for Team USA wins match 3&2. Team USA are now all square with Team Europe at 11 points all!!

The seventh match of the Sunday Singles was Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe verse Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA makes a solid par 4 on the first hole and it can’t be matched by Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe who makes a bogey 5. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA is 1up after the first hole. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA birdies the Par 4, 3rd hole and it can’t be matched by Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe who can only manage par. So Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA is 2up after 3 holes. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA pars the Par 4, 4th hole and Graeme McDowell (NIR) can only get a bogey 5. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA is now 3up after 4 holes. Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe makes a birdie on the Par 5, 5th hole and Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 5. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA is now only 2up after 5 holes. They halve the sixth hole in par 4’s. Zach Johnson (USA) Team USA makes a par on the par 5, 7th hole and Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe can only manage a bogey 6. Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA is back to 3up after 7 holes. They halve the par 3, 8th hole with par 3’s. Graeme McDowell (NIR) for Team Europe birdies the Par 4, 9th hole and the best Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA can do is a par. So Zach Johnson (USA) for Team USA is 2up after nine holes. They halve the next eight holes (10-17) in a row and that means the Zach Johnson (USA) Team USA wins the match 2&1. Team USA 12 points lead Team Europe 11 points.

The eighth match of the Sunday Singles was between Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe verse Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA. They halve the par 4, first hole with par 4’s. Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe makes a great birdie 2 on the Par 3, 2nd hole and Jim Furyk (USA) can only get a par 3. Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe is now 1 up after 2 holes. Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA makes a par 4, at the third hole and the best Sergio Garcia (Spain) can do is a bogey 5. The match is all square after three holes. They halve holes 4-7. Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA wins the par 3, 8th hole with a par which can’t be matched by Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe who makes a bogey 4. Jim Furyk (USA) is 1up after 8 holes. They halve the Par 4, 9th hole in par 4’s.  Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe eagles the Par 5, 10th hole and it can’t be match by Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA who can only manage a birdie. The Match is all square again after 10 holes. They halve the par 4, 11th hole. Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA birdies the Par 4, 12th and it can’t be matched by Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe who makes par.  Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA is 1up with six holes to play. Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe makes a par 3, on the 13th and Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 4. Match all square again. Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA makes a birdie 4 on the Par 5, 14th hole and Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe can only manage a Par 5. Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA is 1up with four holes to play. They halve the holes 15-16. So Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA remains 1up with two holes to play. Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe pars the difficult par 3, 17th hole and Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey. Match is all square playing the 18th hole.  Jim Furyk (USA) for Team USA 3 putts the Par 4, 18th green for a bogey 5; Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe makes a solid par 4. Sergio Garcia (Spain) for Team Europe wins the Match 1up.  Team USA are now all square with Team Europe 12 points all!!

The ninth match of the Sunday Singles was between Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe verse Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA. They halve the first two holes. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes a par 4, at the third hole and Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe makes a bogey 5. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is 1up after 3 holes. They halve the 4th hole. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA eagles the Par 5, 5th hole and Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe can only make a birdie. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is 2up after 5 holes. They halve the sixth hole. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes his second eagle of the day on the Par 5, 7th hole and the best Peter Hanson (Sweden) can do for Team Europe is a Par 5.  Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now 3up after 7 holes. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes a birdie on the Par 3, 8th hole and it can’t be matched by Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe who can only manage a par 3. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is 4up after 8 holes. They halve the par 4, 9th hole. Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe birdies the Par 5, 10th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes a par 5. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now only 3up with eight holes to play. Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe makes a Par 4, on the Par 4, 11th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5.  Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now only 2up with 7 holes to play. Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe makes a par on the Par 4, 12th hole and the best Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA can do is a bogey 5. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now only 1up with six holes to play. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes a brilliant birdie 2 on the Par 3, 13th hole. Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe can only manage a par 3. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now 2up with five holes to play. Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe birdies the Par 5, 14th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) only makes a par 5.  Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now only 1up with four holes to play. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA birdies the short par 4, 15th hole and Peter Hanson (USA) for Team Europe can only manage a par 4. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team Europe is now 2up with three holes to play. They halve the difficult par 4, 16th hole with par 4’s. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA goes dormie 2up.  Peter Hanson (Sweden) for Team Europe makes a great par 3 at the difficult par 3, 17th hole and Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 4.  Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA is now dormie 1up playing the last hole. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA manages a par 4 on the last hole and Peter Hanson (Europe) for Team Europe makes a bogey 5. Jason Dufner (USA) for Team USA wins the Match 2up. Team USA now lead Team Europe 13 points to 12 points.               

The tenth match of the Sunday Singles was between Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe verse Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA. They halve the first 3 holes. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe pars the Par 4, 4th hole and Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe is 1up after four holes. They halve the par 5, fifth hole with birdie 4’s. Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA pars the par 4, 6th hole and Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe makes a bogey 5. Match back to all square. They halve holes 7-8. Lee Westwood (England) pars the par 4, 9th hole and Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. Lee Westwood (England) for Team USA is 1up with nine holes to play. Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA birdies the par 5, 10th hole and Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe can only manage a par. So the match is all square with eight holes to play. They halve the Par 4, 11th hole with par 4’s. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe pars the par 4, 12th hole and Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe is 1up with six holes to play. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe pars the par 3, 13th hole and Matt Kuchar (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe is 2up with 5 holes to play. They halve the par 5, 14th hole with birdie 4’s. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe birdies the short par 4, 15th hole and Peter Hanson (Sweden) only can manage a par 4. Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe is now dormie 3 up. They both par the difficult par 4, 16th hole and that means that Lee Westwood (England) for Team Europe wins the match 3&2. Team Europe and Team USA are now tied up at 13 points all!!

The eleventh match of the Sunday Singles was between Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe verse Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA. They halve the par 4, first hole. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA birdies the Par 3, second hole and Martin Kaymer (Germany) can only manage a par 3. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA is 1up after 2 holes. They halve holes 3-5. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe makes a par on the par 4, 6th hole and Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. Match is all square after six holes. They halve holes 7 and 8. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe makes a birdie 3 on the Par 4, 9th hole and Steve Sticker (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 4. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe is now 1up after nine holes. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team Europe makes a birdie on the Par 5, 10th hole and Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe makes a par 5. Match is all square again. They halve the Par 4, 11th hole in bogeys. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe makes a par 4 on the 12th hole and Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA makes a bogey 5. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe is now 1up with seven holes to play. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA makes a par 3 on the difficult par 3, 13th hole and Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe makes a double bogey 5. Match is all square again with 5 holes to play. Martin Kaymer (Germany) makes a birdie 4 on the Par 5, 14th hole and Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 5. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe is now 1up with four holes to play. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA makes a par 4, on the 15th hole and Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe makes a bogey 5. Match all square with three holes to play. They both hole good par putts from about 8 feet on the Par 4, 16th green. Match all square with two holes to play. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA hits a good tee shot on the difficult par 3, 17th hole and it lands on the back fringe. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe hit his tee shot on the green pin high but 45 feet from the hole. He putts for birdie and it rolls 4 feet past the hole. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA chips from the back fringe and rolls it 10 feet past the cup. He putts for his par and it lips out on the right hand side and has to settle for bogey 4. Martin Kaymer (USA) for Team Europe now has his 4 foot par putt to go dormie 1up. He strikes a perfect putt and it drops right in the centre of the cup. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe is dormie 1up with one hole to play. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe hits on the Par 4, 18th green about 20feet left off the hole just above pin high. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team Europe lands his ball on the green but it comes to rest 40feet beyond the cup leaving and extremely difficult putt down the slope. Steve Stricker (USA) for Team USA putts for his birdie from 40feet and it rolls 8feet past the hole on the left hand side. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe now knows he has 2putts to retain the Ryder Cup for Team Europe. He hits a good putt from 20 feet and it rolls 4feet past the cup. Steve Stricker (USA) now has to hole his 8 foot par putt to give Team USA any chance of winning the 39th Ryder Cup for Team USA. He strikes the perfect putt that rolls right in the centre of the cup for his par 4. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe now knows if he holes his 4footer for par he will retain the 39th Ryder Cup for Team Europe. The Huge Crowd surrounding the 18th Green fall silent after the Team USA fans stop chanting “USA, USA, USA!!”. Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe steadies himself and hits a brilliant putt under extreme pressure and it goes right in the centre of the cup for his par 4. He punches the air in celebration!! And hugs his caddie as a lot of Team Europe players come to congratulate him!! Martin Kaymer (Germany) for Team Europe wins the match 1up. Team Europe now leads Team USA 14 – 13 points and under Ryder Cup rules if the match is tied the holders of the Ryder Cup retain it. So Team Europe has at least retained the 39th Ryder Cup for another two years. 

Martin Kaymer (Germany) celebrates after winning his singles match 1up over Steve Stricker for Team USA and retain the Ryder Cup for Team Europe

The Twelve and final Sunday Singles match was between Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA verse Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe. The first hole was halved in par 4’s. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe won the second hole with a Par 3 and Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA could only manage a bogey 4. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe is 1up after two holes. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe wins the third hole with birdie 3 and Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 4. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe is 2up after 3 holes. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA pars the Par 4, 4th hole and Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe can only manage a bogey 5. Francesco Molinari (Italy) is now 1up after 4 holes. They halve the par 5, 5th hole in par 5’s. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA pars the par 4, 6th hole and Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe can only manage a bogey 5. Match is all square after 6 holes. They halve holes 7-9 so the match is all square at the turn. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe birdies the Par 5, 10th hole and Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA can only manage a par 5. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe is 1up after 10 holes. They halve the Par 4, 11th hole. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA pars the par 4, 12th hole and Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe makes a bogey 5. Match is all square after 12 holes. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA makes a par 3, on the 13th hole and Francesco Molinari (Italy) makes a bogey 5. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA is 1up for the first time in the match. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe makes a birdie 4 on the Par 5, 14th hole and Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA can only manage a Par 5. Match is all square with 4 holes to play. They halve holes 15-16. Match all square with two holes to play. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA is conceded his 3 foot par putt on the Par 3, 17th hole and Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe miss his par attempt from 12 feet on the right hand side. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA goes dormie 1up. Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) – European Team Captain informs Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe that Team Europe has reached the all important 14 points and has retained the Ryder Cup!! With the crowd now really excited and making lots of noise it is very hard for both players to concentrate playing the last hole. Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe hits a brilliant shot from the right hand fairway bunker to land on the green 15 feet from the cup. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA misses the green to the right pin high. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA chips his third shot 6 feet past the hole. Francesco Molinari (Italy) putts for his birdie from 15 feet and rolls it 3 feet past the cup. Tiger Woods (USA) for Team USA putts from 6 feet to win his match and square the match score at 14 points all. He misses on the left hand side. He concedes Francesco Molinari (Italy) for Team Europe his 3 foot par putt. Match finishes all square. Team Europe wins the 39th Ryder Cup Matches 14.5 to 13.5 over Team USA.

Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) the European Team Ryder Cup Captain pose with the Ryder Cup Trophy his team won!!

The Team European fans are now celebrating with the chant “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole!!” It is the biggest comeback ever by Team Europe being 10-6 down to Team USA heading into the Sunday Singles. They eventually won them 8.5 to 3.5!! At the closing ceremony both captains praise there Teams on the way they play the matches in such Great Spirit with Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) – European Team Captain dedicating the win to his late friend and legendary Spanish Golfer, Seve Ballesteros who pasted away last year. Davis Love – USA Team Captain spoke well and congratulated Team Europe on there come from behind win that will go down in Ryder Cup folk lore. The next 40th Ryder Cup will be played in early October 2014 at Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland.

Next week the European Tour and Race to Dubai resumes in Scotland for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and it is played on three courses which are Old Course St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, Scotland. It involves Amateur and Professional in much the same way as the USPGA Tour stage the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro – Am. All professionals have an Amateur partner which is usually a famous sports person from another sport or a TV or Movies celebrity. It has a huge prize purse of € 5,000,000 for the taking. Michael Hoey (NIR) is the defending champion and will be keen to defend his title. It starts on Thursday 4th October. I will report back who won the trophy next week. And on the USPGA Tour it has its first event of four in the Fall Series. It is the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and is played on the TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada. It has a smaller prize purse of $US 4,500,000 for the taking. It is a real chance for players outside the 125 position on the USPGA Tour Money list to earn some money to keep their playing status for 2013 USPGA Tour Season. Kevin Na (USA) is the defending Champion and will be keen for back to back titles. It starts on Thursday 4th October and I will report back who won the Trophy next week.

So to the Top 5 on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list this week and coming in at Number One Position for the 8th week of a 4th spell of his career and the 15th week of his career in total is the 94th PGA Champion, Rory McILroy (NIR) with 12.54 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Two is Tiger Woods (USA) with 9.58 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Three is Luke Donald (England) with 9.26 Official Golf World Ranking Points; coming in at Number Four is Lee Westwood (England) with 7.11 Official Golf World Ranking Points and rounding out the top 5 on the Official Golf World Ranking Points list is Justin Rose (England) with 6.43 Official Golf World Ranking Points. Danny Lee (NZL) is still the highest ranked New Zealand Golfer in the World. This week he slips 4 places to be at 201st position on the Official World Golf Rankings Points list with 0.91 Official World Golf Ranking Points on the list.

Remember when putting to always have a smooth stroke!!

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com