The European team have beaten the United States by three points to claim success in the 34th Ryder Cup at the Belfry. The mount-watering contest was won after Irishman Paul McGinley finished all-square with Jim Furyk on the 18th hole to give Europe victory after three years of wait.
The European team produced some excellent golf during the final single matches and victories from Colin Montgomerie, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Thomas Bjorn and Philip Price were crucial as Sam Torrance's team beat the Americans by 15½ points to 12½ points.
The European captain's decision to play his strongest players at the start of the final day's singles paid off as they took an early advantage by winning three of the first four matches. Even though David Toms secured a point back against Sergio Garcia for the visitors the Americans never really looked like crawling back the European lead.
American captain Curtis Strange took the opposite approach to Torrance by playing his best players in the closing matches. But that strategy did not pay off as left-hander Phil Mickleson lost 3&2 to Philip Price and Jim Furyk finished all-square with cup winner Paul McGinley.
It was an amazing victory for the Europeans as they only lost two out of their final twelve singles. Europe got off to a flying start when Iron-man Colin Montgomerie produced some excellent putting and approach shots to give them their first point of the day by beaten Scott Hoch 5&4.
Dubliner Padraig Harrington led in the same fashion as the Scot by beaten Mark Calcavecchia by the same score to increase the European advantage before German Bernhard Langer beat Hal Sutton by 4&3. David Toms got America's first point of the afternoon after he took Sergio Garcia all the way to the 18th hole and won by one.
Another match which went all the way was Darren Clarke's encounter with David Duval and that finished all-square. The crowd had to wait for a little while before the next point went on the scoreboard. This time America gained a point as Scott Verplank beat Lee Westwood 2&1.
Europe could have won the cup with Niclas Fasth leading Paul Azinger by one playing the final hole. But the American chipped in for birdie and managed to half the hole with the Swede to finish all-square. Another rookie in Pierre Fulke produced a strong performance when needed by securing another half for Europe against Davis Love III. World number one Tiger Woods finished his match with Swede Jesper Parevik all-square but the celebrations were well underway in the European camp.
Final Day Single Results:
Europe 15½-12½USA
Colin Montgomerie beat Scott Hoch 5&4
Padraig Harrington beat Mark Calcavecchia 5&4
Bernhard Langer beat Hal Sutton 4&3
Sergio Garcia lost to David Toms by 1 hole
Darren Clarke finished All/Square with David Duval
Thomas Bjorn beat Stewart Cink 2&1
Lee Westwood lost to Scott Verplank by 2&1
Philip Price beat Phil Mickelson 3&2
Niclas Fasth finished All/Square with Paul Azinger
Paul McGinely finished All/Square with Jim Furyk
Pierre Fulke finished All/Square with Davis Love III
Jesper Parnevik finished All/Square with Tiger Woods
Filed by James Shortt
