Europe wins Ryder Cup at Gleneagles
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Europe strolled to victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles to secure its fifth win in the last six editions of golf's biggest event
Europe strolled to victory in the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles to secure its fifth win in the last six editions of golf's biggest event.
Paul McGinley's men entered the Sunday singles with a commanding 10-6 lead - the exact deficit they faced two years ago at Medinah.
But, despite a relatively strong start from the Americans, a USA comeback never really looked on the cards.
Jordan Spieth and Hunter Mahan got off to excellent starts in the first and fourth matches, and a pumped up Patrick Reed edged ahead against Henrik Stenson in the second, but Rory McIlroy and Martin Kaymer weren't following the American script.
McIlroy went 4up on Rickie Fowler through the first five holes and Kaymer led by the same margin heading into the back nine with both looking in imperious form.
To have any chance, the USA needed red on the board early on, but Spieth dropped three shots in five holes in the top match to open the door for McDowell.
And the Ulsterman took full advantage, moving two clear on the 15th and shutting out the contest with a six-footer on the 17, moments after compatriot McIlroy completed a comprehensive 5&4 victory over Fowler to make the overall score 12-6.
Stenson missed a four-footer on the 18th to lose out to Reed - who didn't endear himself to the home crowds with hushing gestures and Poulter-esque displays of emotion - but his victory was of little consequence.
Kaymer had been dormi with Watson since the 14th and closed out the contest in style with a chip-in eagle at the par-5 16th, shortly after Rose - who was 4 down on the front nine - won the 18th to secure a half with Mahan.
And after a short wait, the Ryder Cup was Europe's once more as Jamie Donaldson - hugely impressive en debut - stiffed his approach on the 15th to see off Keegan Bradley and take the European tally to 14.5.
The 2014 Ryder Cup finished 16.5-11.5 after further victories from Sergio Garcia and halves from Ian Poulter and Victor Dubuisson.
In truth, the final day lacked the drama and excitement of years gone by, but that was just a reflection of Europe's dominance - particularly in both foursomes sessions - over the three days.
Europe has now won eight of the last 10 Ryder Cups.
Jeremy Ellwood has worked in the golf industry since 1993 and for Golf Monthly since 2002 when he started out as equipment editor. He is now a freelance journalist writing mainly for Golf Monthly across the whole spectrum from courses and Rules to equipment and instruction. He also edits The Golf Club Secretary Newsletter, a highly regarded trade publication for golf club secretaries and managers, and has authored or co-authored three books and written for a number of national papers including The Telegraph and The Independent. He is a senior panelist for Golf Monthly's Top 100 UK & Ireland Course Rankings and has played all of the Top 100 plus 91 of the Next 100, making him well-qualified when it comes to assessing and comparing our premier golf courses. He has now played well over 950 golf courses worldwide in 35 countries, right across the spectrum from the humblest of nine-holers in the Scottish Highlands to the very grandest of international golf resorts, but put him on a links course anywhere and he will be blissfully content.
Jezz can be contacted via Twitter - @JezzEllwoodGolf
Jeremy is currently playing...
Driver: Ping G425 LST 10.5˚ (draw setting), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 55 S shaft
3 wood: Ping G425 Max 15˚ (set to flat +1), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 65 S shaft
Hybrid: Ping G425 17˚, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 S shaft
Irons 3-PW: Ping i525, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts
Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 50˚ and 54˚, 12˚ bounce, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts
Putter: Ping Fetch 2021 model, 33in shaft (set flat 2)
Ball: Varies but mostly now TaylorMade Tour Response
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