US Captain Davis Love III’s reaction in the aftermath of an amazing Ryder Cup summed it up for all of us, players and onlookers alike: "We're all kind of stunned.”
Stunned is indeed the word for it, awestruck may be another, given the magnitude of the task the European Team achieved on the final day to retain the Cup. In a reversal of fortunes from past events on American soil, the irrepressible European team matched the greatest comeback in history at Medinah after trailing the United States 10 – 6 heading into the final day singles.
“We know what it feels like now from the `99 Ryder Cup.” Love said “It's a little bit shocking. We were playing so well …”
The circumstances on the final day matched those in 1999 at Brookline when the American Team, which included Love, roared back from the same margin to clinch victory. It was also the event remembered for a controversial team invasion of the 17th green when Justin Leonard sunk a monster putt against José Maria Olazábal.The Spaniard had to wait an eternity for the green to clear before failing in his attempt to prolong the match. However revenge was the last thing on Olazábal's mind when Europe's improbable victory this time around was secured.
An emotional Olazábal could barely keep his emotions in check as the hitherto out-of-sorts Martin Kaymer holed a nerve jangling six-footer on the final green to defeat Steve Stricker and provide Europe with the point it needed. Olazábal looked skywards as if to acknowledge the presence of the late Seve Ballesteros, although the European Team had ensured the inspirational Spaniard was never far from their thoughts all week with their golf bags and shirt sleeves emblazoned with his logo.
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