It's hard to imagine a more one-sided contest; although I have to concede the history books point to even more staggering margins in terms of the scoreline (before GB & I became Europe), and in favour of the USA.But the nature of this 36th Ryder Cup was one of absolute European dominance from the first session of fourballs, when, with the second shot of the event, the usually flawless Tiger Woods clawed his drive into the water and never really recovered. His jittery start seemed to be contagious and the American team, containing the top 3 players in the world, (Woods, Furyk and Mickelson), were like lambs to the slaughter.
Neither Europe nor GB & I before them, managed to win all 5 sessions (2 sets of fourballs matches, 2 sets of foursomes and the series of 12 singles on Sunday), and the manner of the singles series was demonstrative of a European team brimming with confidence, inspired by each other and determined to win an unprecedented third consecutive Ryder Cup. Five times out of six now the USA have returned home to their individualistic PGA Tour schedules with their tails between their legs and this time more than any other time.
Despite the best efforts of Captain Lehman his team never looked anything other than twelve individuals. Woosie's dozen looked like brothers who cared about each other. Woods has never looked comfortable playing for anyone other than himself and Mickelson just appears to be gutless in this environment. In short, he doesn't care enough. If only Lehman could pick a Payne Stewart, a Lanny Wadkins, a Ray Floyd or a Trevino. These were guys who cared about winning more than their own individual records or egos. The beauty of the European team of 2006 is that you could put the names in a hat and pull out the pairings and any one of them would be happy to play with anyone else. This would never be case with the egos of Mickelson and Woods in the team room.
A word for each of the winning team.
Henrik Stenson: a quiet series for the ever-promising Swede but his place in history is guaranteed as the first Swede to hit the winning putt in a Ryder Cup.
Luke Donald: used sparingly, but won 3 out 3 , renewing his deadly partnership with Sergio
Sergio Garcia: becoming the talisman of the Ryder Cup that once was Seve; 4 points this year to go with his 4.5 of 2004.
David Howell: did well and seemed to regain his putting touch in his singles victory
Colin Montgomerie: was this his last Ryder Cup? Let's hope not. He led from the front magnificently as usual. He retained his unbeaten singles record and his name on the team sheet at Valhalla in two years may be worth a couple of points in terms of th effect it will have in the American locker room
Paul Casey: His Ryder Cup image took a battering after his comments last time out; this time he let his golf do the talking. Can anyone ever have finished a match 5&4 with a hole-in-one before?
Robert Karlsson: the big Swede did nothing wrong and played well with Casey on days 1 and 2 before succumbing to Tiger in the singles
Padraig Harrington: a disappointing personal performance but will never forget the day he won the Ryder Cup in his own country
Paul McGinley: good to see him recover form and one must admire his sporting gesture on the last green to JJ Henry. Well done Paul
Jose Maria Olazabal: a perfect partner for Sergio; role reversal to his old pairing with Seve. He looked delighted to see off Mickelson
Lee Westwood: along with Sergio, againthe biggest points collector on the Euro side. Played 5, won 3, halved 2. Slaughtered DiMarco on the front nine despite a temperature of over 100 degrees. And what a pairing with DC
Darren Clarke: the most amazing Ryder Cup story of recent times. Only a few short weeks since he tragically lost his wife Heather, that Clarke was able to play at all was astonishing. That he played 3 won 3 and played mesmeric golf along the way says everything you need to know. Now let's get a major in 2007 Darren.
Ian Woosnam: not eloquent, polished or erudite. But Woosie has been there, done that. And his experience of what was needed was enough to secure this landslide. He united his team and his captain's picks proved inspired. He'll be relieved it's all over but can be very proud.
One final thing. The only downside of this most emphatic victory was not the weather, but the incessant ramblings of Nick Faldo on Sky's presentations. Yes, he is Britain's greatest post war golfer with six majors. He is the Ryder Cup's most prolific points accumulator. A commentator he is not. Commentators know when to speak and when to let the pictures tell the story. How many errors did he make? He didn't know the golf course, the players or the state of the matches. I lost count of how many times we were forced to listen to him turn the events of 2006 into the events of yesteryear a la Faldo. At least in 2008 he'll be too busy to commentate. I only hope his 'the way I used to do it' speeches are left behind and that people around him speak sense, to counteract his egotistical indulgences.
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