World number one Rory McIlroy had a relatively quiet first two days during the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, but when push came to shove during the final day singles, he really turned up the heat.
Drawn against American Ricky Fowler, McIlroy birdied five of the first six holes to go 5-up. Fowler gallanty held on, but was buried in the early birdie barrage before going down 5 and 4.
In the end Team Europe retained the coveted Cup 16.5 to 11.5 for their eighth success in the last 10 series.
Europe needed just 4 of a possible 12 points to retain the coveted Cup, and they made sure of it by the top order doing the business.
Graeme McDowell teed off first, and was 3-down to 21-year-old American rookie Jordan Spieth, the youngest in the field, in the first five holes.
Spieth was playing inspired golf, but McDowell’s made of stern stuff, fighting his way back on the inward nine with five birdies in six holes to win 2 and 1.
Henrik Stenson was second cab off the rank against American rookie Patrick Reed, but the Swede lost the 18th to a birdie after a superb display by both golfers.
Then it was McIlroy’s turn, and after his win Europe need just two more points.
Martin Kaymer provided one of them thanks to a five-birdie blitz in six holes on the outward nine to beat Bubba Watson 4 and 2, winning with a chip from off the green for eagle.
The clincher came from an unlikely source, 38-year-old rookie Jamie Donaldson, the only Welshman in Team Europe, who lives just 36 miles up the road from Gleneagles, a course he knows like the back of his hand.
His bogey-free four birdies to one eagle by Keegan Bradley gave Donaldson a 4 and 3 victory, and Ryder Cup victory.
From the moment Donaldson’s putt found the bottom of the cup, the massive crowd around the green, estimated at 20,000 of the 45,000 on course, erupted.
And they kept erupting until all 12 matches were completed.
All up, over 150,000 went though the Gleneagles turnstiles in the three days, adding a raucous atmosphere to the tournament. But the crowd was never unruly, which was a relief to the 2,000 volunteers, ranging in age from 16 to 85.
It’s been estimated the 41st Ryder Cup generated over 100 million pounds into the Scottish economy. It’s been a huge success from everyone’s point of view except the Americans.
But the superb standard of golf on the final day surfaced with the stats.
In the 12 singles matches there were 2 eagles, 141 birdies, just 36 bogies, and 2 doubles.
The incredible crowds, and massive television audiences around the world, were treated to champagne golf, the very beverage Team Europe devoured at will during the presentation.
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