The U.S. team won the 37th Ryder Cup in convincing fashion Sunday 16½–11½ at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. It was the first win for the Yanks since 1999, and it came after suffering two humiliating nine-point defeats.
The contest was won before all 12 matches were concluded. After the eighth match, the U.S. reached the winning score of 14 ½ points when American Jim Furyk defeated Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez by 2 and 1.
Kim Fires up USA
A U.S. contingent of six rookies and six veterans was energized by rookie Anthony Kim’s pinpoint accuracy and his early domination of Sergio Garcia in the first singles match on Sunday.It was a complete upset, as Garcia had the best Ryder Cup winning record and it was assumed that Kim would be beaten for his lack of experience. The American hope was that Kim’s youthful exuberance would overcome Garcia.
But, as it turned out, the 23-year-old Kim, also known as “AK” came out firing on all cylinders and it was another incredible story of David defeating Goliath.
Kim’s triumph set the emotions and expectations for Team USA’s win and the challenge was met successfully.
“Sergio is a friend of mine, a great player, and I’ve looked up to him for a long time, so I have a tremendous amount of respect. I wanted to come out here and give the fans what they wanted to see,” said Kim.
“I got chills up my spine the whole day today. I wouldn’t trade this for $10 million. This has been an experience of a lifetime. I’m going to draw back on things that happened this week and the friendships I’ve made. This is the most exciting day I’ve ever had. I’m so excited to be here in Kentucky and winning the Ryder Cup.”
Boo
Boo Weekley was another rookie that had a positive impact on the crowds and his teammates. He gave the galleries a lot to cheer about, including holing out from a sand trap to eagle the par-five seventh on his way to a 4 and 2 victory against England’s Oliver Wilson.“It’s just so unreal, the feeling that you get. Your arm hairs stand up and you get chills when they start hollering your name and USA,” said Weekley.
Also adding frenzy to the loud crowds were two native Kentuckians, Kenny Perry and long-hitting JB Holmes. Perry defeated the highly regarded Swede Henrik Stenson 3 and 2, and Holmes defeated the Dane Soren Hansen 2 and 1.
“I figured this was going to define my career, but you know what, it made my career. You know, I made seven birdies. I birdied four holes in a row right out of the gate, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and my putter was magical.
“I mean, I had great touch, great feel, had great confidence and had a great calm about me today. The fans here are awesome. It’s a week I’ll never forget. It’s the greatest experience of my life, and I’m just fortunate enough to put it all together today,” said Perry.
Amazingly, or perhaps not so amazingly, the U.S. won without Tiger Woods. Captain Paul Azinger commented that Tiger kept text messaging him during the matches and that he missed him.
The next Ryder Cup will take place at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales in 2010. If the U.S. can win the next one on European territory then it would mark a new turning point in the ongoing rivalry between the two sides. With a healthy Tiger Woods and Anthony Kim, that could be a reality.
