Perfect Day. The 2012 Ryder Cup 13

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1 Perfect Day 12 The 2012 Ryder Cup 13

When Lou Reed penned the lyrics to his classic Perfect Day, the great American singer/songwriter was most definitely not writing about golf or indeed The Ryder Cup.

The Junior Ryder Cup was played at nearby Olympia Fields on the Monday and Tuesday of Ryder Cup week, the Americans winning 14 ½ - 9 ½.

This was perfection as well as the ultimate sporting example of a welding of ambition, spirit, determination and focus.

And yet, as we sat in the giant media centre halfway through Saturday afternoon it appeared, to those of us who pay close attention to these things, that this Ryder Cup was heading towards a

Despite the best efforts of some in European blue in the preceding three sessions Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy s gutsy win in the opening foursomes match; Ian Poulter and Justin Rose s perfect

2 When Lou Reed penned the lyrics to his classic Perfect Day, the great American singer/songwriter was most definitely not writing about golf or indeed The Ryder Cup. But the ironic thing is, he could have been. The United States and European Junior Ryder Cup teams met with Captains Love and Olazábal at Medinah. The Junior Ryder Cup was played at nearby Olympia Fields on the Monday and Tuesday of Ryder Cup week, the Americans winning 14 ½ - 9 ½. Because, has there ever been a more perfect day for the beautiful old game in general or for a European team in particular? Silly question, really. No. This was it. This was perfection as well as the ultimate sporting example of a welding of ambition, spirit, determination and focus. This final Sunday at Medinah Country Club on the outskirts of Chicago was quite simply as good as it gets. Never, ever, will it be better. And yet, as we sat in the giant media centre halfway through Saturday afternoon it appeared, to those of us who pay close attention to these things, that this Ryder Cup was heading towards a different summation. Despite the best efforts of some in European blue in the preceding three sessions Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy s gutsy win in the opening foursomes match; Ian Poulter and Justin Rose s perfect return of two out of two; and Nicolas Colsaerts unbelievable fourball debut where eight birdies and an eagle bemused not only opponents Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, but also partner Lee Westwood José María Olazábal s side was, to put it bluntly, deep in the mire. Captains Davis Love III and José María Olazábal at the Opening Ceremony Philip Weaver, Chairman of the Professional Golfers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, addresses the Opening Ceremony Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia at the Opening Ceremony flanked by European Tour Chief Executive George O Grady and Sandy Jones, Chief Executive of the Professional Golfers Association of Great Britain and Ireland 14 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 15

We re on course to make the turn after a great front nine. What great club selection.

Scottish winning Ryder Cup captains Sam Torrance, Bernard Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie at an

spectacle of this unique golf event unfolds.

for the next Ryder Cup back on European soil at Gleneagles, Scotland in 2014.

3 We re on course to make the turn after a great front nine. What great club selection. José María Olazábal at the Opening Ceremony Scotland s First Minister Alex Salmond (second from left) with Scottish winning Ryder Cup captains Sam Torrance, Bernard Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie at an EventScotland reception Ryder Cup Travel Services have been the Official Travel Services Operator for The Ryder Cup since Over the years we have ensured over 55,000 people have been in the thick of the action as the drama and spectacle of this unique golf event unfolds. Now, after Team Europe s stunning victory at Medinah, we have put together some great travel programmes for the next Ryder Cup back on European soil at Gleneagles, Scotland in All details of these value travel opportunities can be found on our website. So, why not book yourself a greenside seat to cheer on the very best golfers in the world as they battle head to head for that precious Team victory. The European Team s wives and partners Team Europe The 2012 Ryder Cup 17

So deep in fact that only four European heads remained clearly visible above the surface during the latter stages of that fourball session Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, McIlroy and Poulter.

Back in the media centre, some American journalists were asking their European counterparts what we all fancied doing on Sunday afternoon because this Ryder Cup was going to be over shortly after

Olazábal may have brought his usual impressive intensity to the occasion but the undeniable fact was that, up to this point, his side had been outplayed by a United States team high on adrenaline and

Clearly, Davis Love III s gracious and intelligent leadership was working well, his soft-spoken articulacy merely underlining his players cohesion.

4 So deep in fact that only four European heads remained clearly visible above the surface during the latter stages of that fourball session Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, McIlroy and Poulter. With the two earlier matches already decided in America s favour, Europe were now 10-4 down and heading for a bad place. Back in the media centre, some American journalists were asking their European counterparts what we all fancied doing on Sunday afternoon because this Ryder Cup was going to be over shortly after lunch. It was difficult to argue with this projection. No team has ever come from 10-4 behind in the modern matches. Olazábal may have brought his usual impressive intensity to the occasion but the undeniable fact was that, up to this point, his side had been outplayed by a United States team high on adrenaline and driven on by a typically enthusiastic Chicago sports crowd. Clearly, Davis Love III s gracious and intelligent leadership was working well, his soft-spoken articulacy merely underlining his players cohesion. With early deadlines back in Europe demanding expert analysis on a still fluid situation, the words webbing their way over the Atlantic were beginning to make the harsh but apparently inescapable point that this weekend was turning into a bit of a disaster and that the captain was struggling. Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley Jason Dufner Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell It was hard to say otherwise even if premature and simplistic analysis is almost always wrong. The truth appeared to be that Europe were strangely muted and labouring as a unit. Olazábal, meanwhile, appeared to have thin strands of desperation hanging from his face every time a television camera picked him out from the crowd. But, as we have seen before, the time difference between continents can make fools out of those who toil in the old print trade. By the time those early newspapers were dropping through letterboxes, the tectonic plates of this Ryder Cup had shifted. Not a lot admittedly, but just enough to nudge things round and therefore to suggest that some momentum was going Europe s way at last. This move came as dusk approached and Donald metaphorically squared up to Woods, matching the great one s birdie two on the 17th green to keep he and Garcia one up against Woods and Stricker. A par at the final hole brought a big point into the European camp: Some relief, but not yet enough. Behind this group the players left out on the course were McIlroy and Poulter against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson. Two down with six to play, McIlroy crucially birdied the 13th to half the deficit. But it was then that Poulter unleashed the most significant run of defiant birdies ever seen in these matches. In so doing, he changed everything. Most of all, he made Sunday s astonishing narrative possible. 18 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 19

5 Nicolas Colsaerts Lee Westwood 20 The 2012 Ryder Cup

We all know the Englishman s back story an astonishing act of single-minded by now, how he had become an assistant bravado, of determination over high Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson professional

champion golfer. naturally with his familiar fist-pumping, chest-expanding, staring-eyed howl of Poulter s ambition, however, was deadly triumph.

slightly scary stares. One McIlroy could only watch and learn, an astonished grin etched across the young Ulsterman s disbelieving face. reduce labor costs and improve your bottom line.

Now here he was in Illinois, an acknowledged top golfer, a multimillionaire, and a man who gets into The Ryder Cup like no-one since Seve Ballesteros and, of course, Olazábal himself.

6 We all know the Englishman s back story an astonishing act of single-minded by now, how he had become an assistant bravado, of determination over high Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson professional playing off a five handicap probability and each putt was greeted Deliver Experience Increase Revenues Manage Assets Reduce Expenses and how he amused everyone by saying that one day he d be a champion golfer. naturally with his familiar fist-pumping, chest-expanding, staring-eyed howl of Poulter s ambition, however, was deadly triumph. Beside him, World Number Our Visage TM Mobile Golf Information System can speed up pace of play, serious and he absorbed any smiling condescension that came his way with one of those familiar, slightly scary stares. One McIlroy could only watch and learn, an astonished grin etched across the young Ulsterman s disbelieving face. reduce labor costs and improve your bottom line. The driven get there in Club Car. Learn more at clubcar.com/driven. Now here he was in Illinois, an acknowledged top golfer, a multimillionaire, and a man who gets into The Ryder Cup like no-one since Seve Ballesteros and, of course, Olazábal himself. Poulter does not have a Major Championship to his name and indeed he Suddenly the heavily outnumbered European supporters found their voice and their confidence again. Suddenly the American fans turned down their own volume, replacing it with resigned applause for what may never have one. But if so, it doesn t they were watching. matter a damn. This final hour at Medinah was his time, his Major performance, and Poulter s final birdie putt to match he will never better it. Dufner s on the last green meant the unlikeliest of victories. Olazábal While the American duo birdied three of now knew he had something the last five holes, Poulter went on the and someone to take with him rampage with birdies at them all. It was that evening into a team room Vice Captain Darren Clarke congratulates Nicolas Colsaerts D R I V E N info.eu@clubcar.com The 2012 Ryder Cup 23

Ian Poulter and Justin Rose that otherwise would have been a quiet and dejected place.

Zach Johnson However, it was still a huge ask. Only the Americans had overcome a four point deficit going into the singles and that was at Brookline in 1999.

It meant also that for the European Captain there was no Plan B for the singles. Olazábal had to front load with his form players.

First though he had to get McIlroy to the tee on time. Or rather a local policeman had to fire up his sirens and hurtle Rory to the course. Luck? That was it, right there.

7 Ian Poulter and Justin Rose that otherwise would have been a quiet and dejected place. The skipper could now point to Poulter and tell the rest that they could still win from 10-6 if they, too, replicated the Englishman s passion and desire. Zach Johnson However, it was still a huge ask. Only the Americans had overcome a four point deficit going into the singles and that was at Brookline in No team had ever done it on foreign soil. Not just the smart money but the stupid stuff as well was still on Love s men to win. It meant also that for the European Captain there was no Plan B for the singles. Olazábal had to front load with his form players. He had to rely on their games holding up under intense pressure and he had also to hope that whatever strands of luck were around that Sunday fell his way. First though he had to get McIlroy to the tee on time. Or rather a local policeman had to fire up his sirens and hurtle Rory to the course. Luck? That was it, right there. L-R: Dustin Johnson, former US President George W Bush and Matt Kuchar It is wonderfully ironic that it was in Chicago in 1883 that the current North American Time Zones were adopted during a convention of railway managers. It means that this mid-west city is an hour ahead of the eastern seaboard but it was this latter time zone that McIlroy was watching scroll along the bottom of his hotel TV set. Bradley v. McIlroy at it said, but at Medinah that meant Bubba Watson 24 The 2012 Ryder Cup 25

One captain. Four vice-captains. Twelve players. One remarkable achievement. At Ernst & Young, we understand that in sport, as in business, you succeed by getting talent to work together.

In the event he arrived with a jittery ten minutes to spare. If he had been late on the tee he would have forfeited the first hole. Over five minutes late and he would have forfeited the match.

8 One captain. Four vice-captains. Twelve players. One remarkable achievement. At Ernst & Young, we understand that in sport, as in business, you succeed by getting talent to work together. That s why we were proud to be an Official Partner of The 2012 European Ryder Cup Team and will be in Scotland as an Official Partner of The 2014 Ryder Cup. Job done in Medinah. Now for Gleneagles. Find out more at ey.com/rydercup. When a panicked McIlroy finally realised his error he was rescued from the deepest ignominy by deputy police chief Pat Rollins who used all his driving skills to get the player to the course on time. In the event he arrived with a jittery ten minutes to spare. If he had been late on the tee he would have forfeited the first hole. Over five minutes late and he would have forfeited the match. It was close, but in the end it all worked out. McIlroy shrugged it off with a guilty grin and the Captain laughed with relief when his player walked on to the practice putting green. Officer Rollins, meanwhile, simply said: We did the right thing. And we would have done it for either team. Expect Rollins to be on Rory s extraspecial Christmas list this year. That panic over it was down to business. Olazabal s singles order saw Donald lead the way followed by Poulter, a slightly dishevelled McIlroy, Rose and Paul Lawrie. These were the men entrusted with the task of bringing Europe back into this Ryder Cup and my, how brilliantly did they respond. The singles matches are a serious contrast to the fourballs and foursomes that precede them. Suddenly there isn t an understanding shoulder to lean on, no partner to talk you through a bad patch. Singles golf is a lonely place. Some it inspires; others it drives down under the pressure. The Europeans on this extraordinary day were very much the former. See More Teamwork Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia 2012 EYGM Limited. All Rights Reserved. ED 1214 The 2012 Ryder Cup 27

9 Europe celebrate Ian Poulter (insert) and Rory McIlroy s fourball triumph on Saturday afternoon 28 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 29

Ian Poulter Peter Hanson Paul Lawrie Luke Donald They didn t so much rise to the occasion as grab it by the throat

In the process they all but silenced the galleries who had come to acclaim an American victory.

there was now hope. As European chins lifted, so American heads dropped.

No-one on this day played better than Rose.

10 Ian Poulter Peter Hanson Paul Lawrie Luke Donald They didn t so much rise to the occasion as grab it by the throat and wrestle it to the ground. In the process they all but silenced the galleries who had come to acclaim an American victory. Suddenly, where there had been red on the huge scoreboards there now was blue, where there had been despondency there was now hope. As European chins lifted, so American heads dropped. Those first five matches were all won by Europe and, amazingly, the visitors were back in the game. No-one on this day played better than Rose. Poulter s best friend, the younger Englishman cuts a contrasting figure with his quiet, studied and understated approach to golf and life in general. His match against Phil Mickelson was a classic. One down with two to play, he holed a long, viciously curling downhill putt on the 17th green to square the match, Mickelson grinning The 2012 Ryder Cup 31

11 Luke Donald Justin Rose The 2012 Ryder Cup 33

Lee Westwood and throwing back a sporting thumbsup to acknowledge its brilliance.

immediately calmed himself out of respect for an American opponent as gracious as he is talented.

beat Steve Stricker and took Europe to 14 points, ensuring the retention of the trophy they had won so dramatically at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales two years earlier.

12 Lee Westwood and throwing back a sporting thumbsup to acknowledge its brilliance. When Rose then birdied the last to win, the tension within was finally released, his body arcing as he released a scream of delight before he turned to see Mickelson s outstretched hand and immediately calmed himself out of respect for an American opponent as gracious as he is talented. A mini American revival was halted by victories for Garcia over Jim Furyk and Westwood over Matt Kuchar before, in the end, it fell to Martin Kaymer in the penultimate match to hole the putt that beat Steve Stricker and took Europe to 14 points, ensuring the retention of the trophy they had won so dramatically at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales two years earlier. For Kaymer, 2012 had been an odd year, a season when his prodigious ability appeared muted and his spirit at times dulled. He had even felt strangely disconnected from the emotion of The Ryder Cup and sought out his hero and mentor Bernhard Langer during the weekend to talk things over. Whatever the older German said, it worked. Kaymer reignited his inner fire and drilled home that final six foot putt before leaping into the arms of his waiting team-mates. Before taking his stance, American television showed Langer s miss from the same distance on the final green at Kiawah Island which handed The 1991 Ryder Cup to the United States. Kaymer admitted later the thought of that putt had gone through his mind as well, making him even more determined to find the bottom of the cup. Martin Kaymer Tiger Woods and Francesco Molinari 34 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 35

13 Paul Lawrie (right) with wife Marian and caddie David Kenny Sergio Garcia defeats Jim Furyk Rory McIlroy 36 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 37

14 38 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 39

15 Justin Rose and Ian Poulter Please enjoy responsibly. Sergio Garcia José María Olazábal The 2012 Ryder Cup 41

Back down the final fairway a dejected Tiger Woods watched the euphoria with the sort of weary expression that suggested he wanted to be anywhere else.

trophy, they had won it outright. José María Olazábal at the Closing Ceremony Cue a wonderful outbreak of pandemonium.

16 Back down the final fairway a dejected Tiger Woods watched the euphoria with the sort of weary expression that suggested he wanted to be anywhere else. A few moments later he missed a short putt for par and sportingly picked up Francesco Molinari s marker to offer a half to the Italian which meant Europe had not just retained the glittering old trophy, they had won it outright. José María Olazábal at the Closing Ceremony Cue a wonderful outbreak of pandemonium. This was a madcap victory and the relief, mixed with excitement showed in every face as the champagne sprayed, the fans chanted Olé-Olé-Olé- Olé and the startled American supporters streamed away in confused silence from what was supposed to have been their field of dreams. An hour or so later at the closing ceremony, Olazábal was back in control. This was a Ryder Cup he had always planned to dedicate to his dear friend Seve Ballesteros and not just by featuring the great man s silhouette on the team s final day clothing. Olazábal knew Seve would have loved the way his team fought and fought and never gave up. It was the way he played the game and nowhere more so than in The Ryder Cup. Looking across at his European team Olazábal said: All men die, but not all men live. You made me feel alive again this week. Thank you. It was perfect. Just perfect. Bill Elliott Golf Monthly 42 The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 43

James Corrigan (The Daily Telegraph) On the green Olazábal cried and thought of his old compadré. How Seve would have loved to have been there.

3 Course), Medinah, Illinois September 28 30, 2012 FINAL RESULTS EUROPE UNITED STATES INDIVIDUAL PLAYER PERFORMANCES Núria Pastor (La Vanguardia) The United States needed only 4 ½ points to win.

Sarah Compton (The Daily Telegraph) The dream of greatness is what makes sport so compelling.

It was as gripping as any movie, any piece of theatre. Unfolding live in front of our eyes, it was one of the most inspirational dramas of our time.

In a few years time it will be written and remembered that on the last day of September 2012, a group of fearless, clear minded golfers, dressed in blue and white in honour of Europe s greatest ever

17 James Corrigan (The Daily Telegraph) On the green Olazábal cried and thought of his old compadré. How Seve would have loved to have been there. But in the chutzpah and the complete audaciousness of the comeback, his presence could be felt here. The spirit of Seve lives on and on. THE 2012 RYDER CUP Medinah Country Club (No. 3 Course), Medinah, Illinois September 28 30, 2012 FINAL RESULTS EUROPE UNITED STATES INDIVIDUAL PLAYER PERFORMANCES Núria Pastor (La Vanguardia) The United States needed only 4 ½ points to win. Europe needed eight points to retain the trophy. But Olazábal enthused: This is not over. That is what I learned from Seve and that is what I instilled in my team for the final day. Sarah Compton (The Daily Telegraph) The dream of greatness is what makes sport so compelling. That s what kept me watching The Ryder Cup all weekend the knowledge that embedded in every drive, chip and putt there was a tale of psychological warfare and a will to succeed. It was as gripping as any movie, any piece of theatre. Unfolding live in front of our eyes, it was one of the most inspirational dramas of our time. Gerardo Riquelme (Marca) The world of sport has another episode to add to its golden book. In a few years time it will be written and remembered that on the last day of September 2012, a group of fearless, clear minded golfers, dressed in blue and white in honour of Europe s greatest ever player, Seve Ballesteros, staged the biggest comeback in the history of our 300 year old sport. Derek Lawrenson (The Daily Mail) The story of Medinah and the final day of The Ryder Cup was a day fit to compare with any in even the rich and dramatic history of this unrivalled contest. When it was over, the recriminations for the American team began. But this was more about the team who had lived up to their mentor Seve Ballesteros maxim never to give in, rather than the side who did not get the job done. Luis Buxeres (La Razón) José María Olazábal appealed to the spirit of Seve Ballesteros in the build-up. Emblazoned on the golf bags and polo shirt sleeves, the man from Cantabria was everywhere. And there is no doubt that Seve was the very first one to punch the air in celebration and cry with joy after what happened in Medinah. Jim White (The Daily Telegraph) It is the unpredictability of top-level competition, the way that nothing is decided until the final whistle, that makes it so addictive. This disparate collection of Europeans, bound by nothing more than a flag of convenience, entered a wider folklore. Their achievement can now be numbered among the finest comebacks of all time. Miguel Ángel Barbero (ABC) Miracles do exist, particularly when there is someone in heaven pushing for them. With the great captain José María Olazábal at the helm, Miguel Angel Jimenez by his side and with Sergio Garcia winning his two last matches, Europe made the miracle happen. Thanks also go to the fourth Spaniard who never let them down on such an important day the great Seve Ballesteros. James Lawton (The Independent) He (Ian Poulter) did more to conspicuously honour the memory of Seve, one of the greatest golfers the world had ever seen. He said that he had accepted a duty to fight until all hope had gone. That brought a famous victory and ennobled an entire sport. Isabel Trillo (Colpisa) The feat achieved on Sunday by the European Team, coming back from four points down on US soil, will no doubt go down in the annals of sporting history as a defining moment in The Ryder Cup. Steven Howard (The Sun) They saved the best to last. After a summer unsurpassed in the annals of sporting history, Europe s Ryder Cup Team went and rewrote it here in Medinah. And I can tell you one thing for nothing: The Windy City looks mighty pretty this morning. Day 1 - Foursomes R McIlroy & G McDowell (1 hole) 1 J Furyk & B Snedeker 0 L Donald & S Garcia 0 P Mickelson & K Bradley (4 & 3) 1 L Westwood & F Molinari 0 J Dufner & Z Johnson (3 & 2) 1 I Poulter & J Rose (2 & 1) 1 S Stricker & T Woods Day 1 - Fourballs P Lawrie & P Hanson 0 B Watson & W Simpson (5 & 4) 1 R McIlroy & G McDowell 0 P Mickelson & K Bradley (2 & 1) 1 L Westwood & N Colsaerts (1 hole) 1 T Woods & S Stricker 0 J Rose & M Kaymer 0 D Johnson & M Kuchar (3 & 2) Day 2 - Foursomes I Poulter & J Rose (1 hole) 1 B Watson & W Simpson 0 L Westwood & L Donald 0 K Bradley & P Mickelson (7 & 6) 1 N Colsaerts & S Garcia 0 J Dufner & Z Johnson (2 & 1) 1 R McIlroy & G McDowell 0 J Furyk & B Snedeker (1 hole) Day 2 - Fourballs J Rose & F Molinari 0 W Simpson & B Watson (5 & 4) 1 N Colsaerts & P Lawrie 0 D Johnson & M Kuchar (1 hole) 1 S Garcia & L Donald (1 hole) 1 T Woods & S Stricker 0 R Mcllroy & I Poulter (1 hole) 1 J Dufner & Z Johnson Day 3 - Singles L Donald (2 & 1) 1 B Watson 0 I Poulter (2 holes) 1 W Simpson 0 R McIlroy (2 & 1) 1 K Bradley 0 J Rose (1 hole) 1 P Mickelson 0 P Lawrie (5 & 3) 1 B Snedeker 0 N Colsaerts 0 D Johnson (3 & 2) 1 G McDowell 0 Z Johnson (2 & 1) 1 S Garcia (1 hole) 1 J Furyk 0 P Hanson 0 J Dufner (2 holes) 1 L Westwood (3 & 2) 1 M Kuchar 0 M Kaymer (1 hole) 1 S Stricker 0 F Molinari (halved) ½ T Woods (halved) ½ 8½ 3½ EUROPE 14½ UNITED STATES 13½ EUROPE PLD W L H PTS Ian Poulter Rory McIlroy Justin Rose Luke Donald Sergio Garcia Lee Westwood Nicolas Colsaerts Martin Kaymer Paul Lawrie Graeme McDowell Francesco Molinari ½ Peter Hanson UNITED STATES PLD W L H PTS Keegan Bradley Jason Dufner Dustin Johnson Zach Johnson Phil Mickelson Matt Kuchar Webb Simpson Bubba Watson Jim Furyk Brandt Snedeker Tiger Woods ½ Steve Stricker The 2012 Ryder Cup The 2012 Ryder Cup 45

Volume XV, Advanced Edition 5 n2y.com RYDER CUP GOLF. In 2010, the Ryder Cup was played at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

news-2-you Volume XV, Advanced Edition 5 n2y.com September 24, 2012 RYDER CUP GOLF In 2010, the Ryder Cup was played at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. The Ryder Cup is a famous golf tournament. It is