Ryder Cup Collapse: USA Loses Cup to Europe
By Jason Lisk
Furyk and Mickelson were both one up with two holes to play. Both lost their matches.
By the time Jason Dufner held on to win his match, the USA was still staring at a 13-13 scoreboard with only two players left: Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods. Stricker and Woods were playing partners and the only team to not gain a point during the first two days.
Tiger Woods didn’t even matter. Stricker missed a putt on #17 to be able to halve the hole. He was in the fairway on #18 while Martin Kaymer was in the bunker, but it didn’t matter. He hit long, then hit a dreadful 40 foot punt that didn’t even have a chance. His 8 foot par putt went in, but Kaymer stepped up and made his as well.
It set up for improbable drama with Woods closing the match when the USA entered with a huge lead. In the end, It didn’t even get there. Europe would retain the cup regardless of whether it was 14-14 or 14.5-13.5. Tiger’s friend and playing partner, Steve Stricker, finished 0 for 4, and his putting let him down all week.
[photo via US Presswire]