RYDER CUP 2008 2006 REVIEW It’s done a lot to show that they cared about Heather, and that means everything.” The team had definitely become a lot closer as a result of the competition, and the international friendships had been significantly strengthened. As Darren Clarke articulated, “To be here all week my team have been unbelievable. The American guys have just been… the support they have shown me, and their wives, has just been incredible. The crowd on Friday morning will be something I cherish forever.” By the crowd’s deafening response to Clarke’s victory, it may have seemed like the perfect ending to the competition, however there were still four more matches to be completed. Paul McGinley halved with JJ Henry, and then Phil Mickelson was defeated by José Maria Olazábal, an inauspicious end to yet another poor Ryder Cup for the world no. 2. Verplank showed some fight to beat Harrington, 4 & 3, but the final match between DiMarco and Westwood went Europe’s way on the 18th as the American twice found water. The European team – never afraid to have a party – began their raucous champagne and Guinness-fuelled celebrations, with the final result reading a startling 18.5 to 9.5. Montgomerie said he had been fortunate to be part of “the best European team ever assembled” while Woosnam was understandably overwhelmed by the amazing win: “I have won a major tournament, I’ve been Number One in the world, but I’ve got to say, this is the proudest moment of my life.” Lehman reflected: “So many matches went down to the wire and it was tight for the most part. But I guess, at the end of the day, the European team just played better.” Woods concurred: ‘We went out there, we played, and they just outplayed us. They made more putts than we did. When it comes down to it, in all these cups that I’ve been a part of, it’s whoever plays 18 the best and whoever makes the most putts for the week. If you look at the way the matches went for the entire week, the Europeans did better on both those occasions.” ■ ■ EUROPE 18.5 UNITED STATES 9.5 and Tyrone, 5, courageously played and his 3 & 2 win over rookie Johnson, which gave Clarke a flawless 3-0 mark for the match, induced a huge eruption from the Irish crowd which could be heard all over the Palmer Course, as Clarke dissolved into tears, which were met by a series of hugs from both team captains, and Tiger Woods to name a few. It was an intensely emotional moment, and when Woosnam lifted Clarke’s arm into the air, tears streaming down his face, it was clear that he was not only one of the world’s best golfers, but an incredibly strong, loved and valued member of the European team. Clarke told his team members that the competition meant a lot to him. “It’s done a lot for me. It’s done a lot for people to show me how much they care and how much they care about me. Friday Fourballs: Harrington/Montgomerie lost to Woods/Furyk (1 hole) Garcia/Olazabal beat Wetterich/Toms (3&2) Casey/Karlsson halved with Henry/Cink Clarke/Lee Westwood bt Mickelson/DiMarco (1 hole) Friday Foursomes: Harrington/Paul McGinley halved with Campbell/Johnson Donald/Garcia bt Woods/Jim Furyk (2 holes) Howell/Stenson halved with Cink/Toms Montgomerie/Westwood halved with Mickelson/DiMarco Saturday Fourballs: Garcia/Olazabal bt Mickelson/DiMarco (3&2) Westwood/Clarke bt Woods/Furyk (3&2) Casey/Karlsson halved with Cink/Henry Stenson/Harrington lost to Verplank/Johnson (2&1) Saturday Foursomes: Garcia/Donald bt Mickelson/Toms (2&1) Casey/Howell bt Cink/Johnson (5&4) Montgomerie/Westwood halved with Campbell/Taylor Harrington/McGinley lost to Furyk/Woods (3&2) Sunday Singles: Garcia lost to Cink (4&3) Montgomerie bt Toms (1 hole) Karlsson lost to Woods (3&2) Casey bt Furyk (2&1) Howell bt Wetterich (5&4) Donald bt Campbell (2&1) Stenson bt Taylor (4&3) Clarke bt Johnson (3&2) McGinley halved with Henry Harrington lost to Verplank (4&3) Olazabal bt Mickelson (2&1) Westwood bt DiMarco (2 holes) CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES 193