Europe achieved its eleventh victory in the Ryder Cup with a clear victory (16.5-11.5) in the 40th edition held at The Gleneagles (Scotland), where the United States could not trouble the host team, which dominated the scoreboard since the first day. The final day was relatively uneventful for Europe, as the expected US barrage did not materialize. Four points were enough for Europe to retain the title, and the victories of Graeme McDowell over Jordan Spieth (2/1) and Rory Mcilroy over Ricky Fowler (5/4) left the mission on track.
Justin Rose scored another half point against Hunter Mahan and Martin Kaymer clearly beat (4/2) a Bubba Watson who has not had his best week. On that stage, Jamie Donaldson became a hero by beating Keegan Bradley (4/3) and certifying the European victory, the eighth in ten editions .
In the middle of the festival, Sergio Garcia joined the celebration with a long-suffering victory over Jim Furyk (1up) that tastes like glory after a difficult few days. Once again, as usual in the Ryder Cup, the player from Castellón has proved to be a tremendously useful player for the captain of any team. A new success on Sergio’s resume.
The second day, key in the future of the RyderThe second day was decisive in the future of the Ryder. Europe delivered a resounding blow to the table with a plethoric afternoon session at The Gleneagles, after which it took the lead in the second day of the Ryder.
an important advantage for Sunday’s singles. Europe dominated by 10-6.
The afternoon’s foursomes were a recital of the team from the Old Continent. Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell’s clear victory over Jimmy Walker and Ricky Fowler (25/4) was followed by Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood’s victory over Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar (2/1), and Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy’s victory over Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan (3/2).
With this extremely difficult scenario for the Americans, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose rescued half a point on the last hole against the debutants Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. Thus, 3.5-0.5 for Europe and 10-6 on the scoreboard.
And this despite the fact that the United States started the day with a fantastic performance in the fourballs, in which they scored two and a half points out of a possible four. All this, with Sergio Garcia out of the matches.
Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood succumbed clearly to Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan (4/3); at the same time, Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer gave in with similar forcefulness againstJordan Spieth and Patrick Reed (5/3).
To captain Paul McGinley’s relief, Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson had previously beaten Bubba Watson and Matt Kuchar (3/2). The match between Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter, and Jimmy Walker and Ricky Fowler, which ended with half a point for each side after the Americans let slip a minimum income in the 16th.
Europe led 5-3 after the first day
On the first day, the European team saved a difficult situation by coming from behind in the afternoon session. The fourballs went to the United States (2.5-1.5), while the fousomes went to Europe (3.5-0.5), leaving a provisional score of 5-3 in favor of the hosts.
The morning fourballs ended in advantage for the United States (2.5-1.5). Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson scored the first European point (5/4) at the expense of unknown Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson, but Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed tied after getting rid of Ian Poulter and Stephen Gallacher by the same score.
The other two matches were a different story. Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy lost (1up) to Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson in a match full of alternatives in which the Europeans missed crucial moments.
On the other hand, Americans Jimmy Walker and Ricky Fowler scored a good half point against Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer in a duel in which the Europeans were in the lead. lead from the first hole to the 18th. The difference was as much as three holes.
In the afternoon, in the foursomes, Europe came from behind thanks to victories by Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood (2up); Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson (2/1); and Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell (3/2).
The other half point came from Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy against Jimmy Walker and Ricky Fowler in a tremendously exciting game in which the Europeans went to the wire to win. tow from the 11th to the last hole. An unearned putt by Fowler gave Europe half a point.
RESULTS
First day
Europe, 5 – USA, 3
Second day
Europe, 5 – USA, 3
Third day
Europe, 6.5 – USA, 4.5
TOTAL
Europe, 16.5 – USA, 11.5
Team composition
The European team, led by captain Paul McGinley, consisted of Thomas Björn, Sergio Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and rookies Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher.
The vice-captains, apart from Miguel Ángel Jiménez and José María Olazábal, are Padraig Harrington, Des Smyth and Sam Torrance.
For its part, the U.S. field, led by captain Tom Watson, includes Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan, Webb Simpson, and rookies Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reid and Jimmy Walker.
His three vice-captains are Raymond Floyd, Andy North, Steve Stricker.
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