American Victory

Filed in archive Golf News on September 21, 2008

Courtesy: PGA.com

"Faldo comes up short but says he has no regrets". "Dismantling of Garcia by Kim the Magnificent...". "New Breed carries Americans to victory".

Just some of the headlines to stories in the world media following today's convincing win by the Americans in the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Yet, be sure of one thing. When the morning papers hit the streets of towns and cities in the U.K. this morning, they will decry Nick Faldo's captaincy and pin the blame on him for the loss.

There's a time to bemoan a loss and there's a time to recognize a victory. Today's American win was most assuredly the latter.

Not a single European golfer played poorly either today or at any time during the tournament.

There were times when a few of the American players DID play poorly but when it came to the singles competition, they shone. I think of Ben Curtis and Chad Campbell in particular.

Did Faldo's strategy of starting Garcia for a shot of aggression against an equally aggressive Anthony Kim backfire? No. Garcia was up to his old tricks again, I'm afraid. Missing two and a half foot putts for birdie to win holes is what cost him the British Open two years ago, losing to Padraig Harrington.

Ironically, he lost to Padraig Harrington for the second time this year, too, but at least Garcia played well. Harrington played better.

And it was that experience in a pressure cooker that Faldo counted on when he sent Harrington out last to battle Chad Campbell.

Was Faldo wrong there? No. How could he have anticipated that Harrington's swing would fall apart when it counted?

The Europeans will soul search for a while and come up with the only answer one could come up with: they were beaten by a better team.

Plain and simple.

Look at the unlikely stars for the U.S. team. Boo Weekley and J.B. Holmes - the American gorillas. Kenny Perry, aged 48 and every bit as long as his competition and just as deadly with a short iron or a putter. Ben Curtis and Chad Campbell who took down no less than Lee Westwood and Paddy Harrington.

Yes, it was going to happen sometime. The law of averages dictated that. But it happened thanks to heroics from the oddest places.

Paul Azinger should be proud of the job he did. Faldo, likewise.

All the players can hold their heads high. The Americans, a little higher of course. And deservedly so.