2016 RYDER CUP

THE Yanks lost at home for the first time in 60 years at Muirfield Village. Captain Tony Jacklin’s decision to pair his warrior king Seve Ballesteros with rookie Jose Maria Olazabal was decisive as the Spaniards milked three points out of four. America were outplayed for two days before launching a dramatic fightback by kaking the opening seven singles. But the tide was turned, Eamonn Darcy closed out the winning point and off went Ollie shaking those hips. WHEN Europe’s captain Ian Woosnam rang to ask Darren Clarke if he would consider playing as a wild card at The K Club, he asked for some time to think about it. He had buried his wife Heather only six weeks earlier. A day later he rang Woosnam back. He was in. Just turning up was an achievement, playing the part he did in Europe’s crushing victory was beyond words. He won three out of three before breaking down after beating Zach Johnson in the Sunday singles. When it came to the closing ceremony Amy Mickelson held Clarke’s hand as well as that of her husband. IT was rowdy, ill-tempered and at times downright nasty but no one could argue with the quality of the sporting drama. Four points down heading into the Sunday singles, America staged one of the great comebacks to win by a point. Fittingly the conclusion was coated in controversy with a green invasion from the US team after Justin Leonard holed a monster putt at the 17th – even though Jose Maria Olazabal had still to putt from distance. He missed. THE flip side of 1999. This time it was Europe staring down the barrel four points adrift heading into the final day. Lifted by an incredible run from Ian Poulter in a Saturday afternoon fourball rescue act alongside Rory McIlroy, they produced a Sunday bluewash to stun Davis Love’s side. Justin Rose beat Phil Mickelson in remarkable fashion and it was left to Martin Kaymer to close out the tie with a putt from 5ft. Astonishing!