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| DIARY
//
37TH RYDER CUP
// 25th
September 2008 |
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Well the result wasn't what we wanted
at this past weeks Ryder Cup in Louisville,
Kentucky. 16 1/2 to 11 1/2 suggests
it wasn't that close but I think anyone
watching knows that it was a lot closer
than that. Regardless of the result
it was amazing to be a part of and
there were many moments that I will
never forget.
It was disappointing not to play the
first day but after an extra day of
practice and soaking up some of the
atmosphere out and around the course
I was more than ready to go come Saturday
morning. I was partnering Henrik Stenson
which I was very happy with seeing
as he had told me the day before he
wanted to play with me. It was a great
draw when we saw the team sheet going
against Mickelson and Kim, I have
never shied away from matches like
that and what better stage to test
yourself than against the top American
pairing in the Ryder Cup. I wanted
to hit the first tee shot and fortunately
Henrik had played the even numbered
holes the day before so when it came
time to tee off it was the most amazing
experience having your name chanted
whilst stood on the first tee, something
we as golfers rarely get to experience.
I was prepared for it and found myself
very relaxed and loving the moment,
I was thinking that it's not as bad
as everyone says; until I teed the
ball up and my name was announced,
the roars that went up sent a chill
through me and I had gone from calm
and collected to shaking with the
most incredible sensation taking over.
I happily annihilated my tee shot
and went off to the side where I smiled
to Rich and carried on shaking. Six
holes later we were four down and
my debut match wasn't turning out
how I had planned. We stayed patient
and kept the pressure on them and
they started to crumble, we didn't
give them any chances to get the momentum
back and by the 16th hole we were
1 up and feeling good about things.
We played seventeen solidly and we
both had putts from about 30 feet
and 25 feet respectively. I felt Mickelson
would hole so I needed mine and after
finally getting the read right I hit
a perfect putt into the middle of
the hole, definitely the highlight
of my career to date as Mickelson's
putt slid by, Europe win 2/1!
We had a good chance to retain the
cup after the strong finish we had
on Saturday night and we had some
momentum going into Sunday. The line
up looked good to us and we were all
happy with our perspective opponents.
I was especially happy tackling Boo
who was in form with a large and loud
following out on the course. Again
the first tee shot was incredible
and after two holes I was 1 up feeling
good about things. Eight holes later
I was four down and it wasn't looking
good. Boo had just completed the front
nine in 29 shots. I was playing well
though and tried to do the same things
we did the day before but from that
many holes down you always need a
little help from your opponent. I
managed to birdie the 15th to get
him down 16 but he then finished me
off in style on the sixteenth with
birdie and ruined my short lived 100%
record.
The Americans never really faltered
coming down the stretch, there were
a few key matches but they always
had 1 match two many over us and disappointment
set in. In the end we were outplayed,
or more outputted. However, results
aside it was the most amazing week
and easily the most fun I have ever
had on a golf course. There were many
special memories through the week
but one of the most impressive things
was the camaraderie in the team room.
I used to think it was slightly over
rated until I actually experienced
it. We play against each other 30
weeks a year yet it was like playing
with your brothers for a week. For
me I was playing on a team that has
two guys who I have grown up watching
win majors as my captains and then
another half a dozen guys who I have
watched on TV win tournaments who
spurred me on to get on tour to play
against them, I never really thought
about playing on the same team as
them. I am proud of every member of
the team, but I think the rookies
deserve a mention as they all did
fantastically well and especially
Ian Poulter who went into the week
with a lot of pressure on him. He
had been criticized for being picked
which was no fault of his own, he
is ranked 25th in the world for a
reason, and after a memorable week
for him being top points scorer on
both sides with 4 I think he has certainly
answered his critics.
It's a shame that we have to wait
another two years to hopefully experience
it again but I guess that's what makes
it so special.
I would like to thank everyone who
has supported us throughout the week,
especially those who travelled. The
fans on the first tee made the memories
for us so much better and certainly
helped me on the first tee knowing
that we had much better supporters
on our side, we certainly didn't win
in numbers but the volume of the chants
and the originality of them made us
all smile on the tee's.
To return to the main News page click
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(Photo by David Cannon/Getty
Images)
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