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 Closer Look Anatomy of a comeback
Posted: Sunday September 26, 1999 06:15 PM
By Albert Lin, CNN/SI BROOKLINE, Mass. -- Think this is more what U.S. captain Ben Crenshaw -- not to mention the country's golf fans -- had in mind when he saw the members of both Ryder Cup teams? All week long people have cracked that Crenshaw should have convinced European captain Mark James to contest these matches on paper, in which case Samuel Ryder's trophy would be returning stateside. After all, the Americans boasted 10 of the top 16 players in the World Rankings while the Euros countered with just three. Sunday's singles matches have always been the U.S. trump card, and Crenshaw knew that much when, despite trailing 10-6, he paused before leaving the interview room Saturday night and uttered these prophetic heartfelt words: "I'm a big believer in fate ... and I have a good feeling about this. That's all I'm going to tell you." Whether it's some warped sense of pride that doesn't allow the Americans to count on each other; the inability to relax under the pressure of expectations; a preference for the me-first play to which they are accustomed; or something more subtle, the U.S. finally emerged from its slumber Sunday. With a top-heavy lineup to get off to a hot start, Crenshaw's charges ran away with the opening six matches. The pieces were falling into place. A victory began to look possible. At 1:52 p.m. Eastern Time, Davis Love III completed his 6-and-5 rout of beleagured Frenchman Jean Van de Velde. Europe 10, U.S. 7. Every five minutes, somewhere on The Country Club layout, a huge roar would sound. The Americans were sticking their approaches, holing out chips and, most importantly, draining long putts. They seemed to be making up not only for the last two days, but perhaps the last two Ryder Cups. At 1:58, Tom Lehman, the American the most sincere in his affection for this competition, finished off Lee Westwood 3 and 2. Europe 10, U.S. 8. "It's so special when you pour your heart and soul into something like this," Lehman said. "This is just a surreal day. I just pray to God that we can pull this thing off." At 2:07, Phil Mickelson beat Jarmo Sandelin, who played his first match of the weekend in a haze, 5 and 3. Europe 10, U.S. 9. There have been only five Sunday comebacks in 32 previous Ryder Cups, the biggest a two-point margin when the Europeans stunned the U.S. at Oak Hill in 1995. Would this team make history? At 2:09, Hal Sutton, the American's top scorer with 3 1/2 points, closed out Darren Clarke 4 and 2. Europe 10, U.S. 10. "I've been fighting tears all day," an emotional Sutton said. "This feels like a family. We've played like a team but we didn't get it done before. I thought we could get it done, we just didn't, but now I think we can pull it out." At 2:39, in a complete reversal from their play the first two days, David Duval dominated Jesper Parnevik 5 and 4. U.S. 11, Europe 10. The normally reserved Duval, criticized for calling the matches "an exhibition" and for his outspokenness on player compensation, celebrated by marching around the green pumping both arms overhead; he even played to the crowd by putting his hand to his ear a la Hulk Hogan. "I won't retract my comments about charity revenues, but I've changed my mind on a lot of the other stuff," Duval said. At 2:55, Tiger Woods finally fought off the tougher-than-expected Andrew Coltart, 3 and 2. U.S. 12, Europe 10. If the remaining six matches held up as they stood, the U.S. would reclaim the Ryder Cup. With Steve Pate 2-up and Jim Furyk 3-up, Mark O'Meara's match began to look like the pivotal one. The oldest member of the U.S. team, O'Meara was all square with Padraig Harrington, and the Americans would need an extra half point. O'Meara would stay even all the way until 18 before stumbling and dropping the match. In the meantime, however, Justin Leonard -- after being written off -- was taking four straight holes against Jose Maria Olazabal to even his match, and Payne Stewart was winning back-to-back holes on Colin Montgomerie to go all square in his. The U.S. wasn't dead yet. At 3:48, Pate scored the Americans' seventh point of the day, 2 and 1 over Miguel Angel Jimenez. U.S. 13, Europe 11. At 3:56, Furyk polished off Sergio Garcia 4 and 3. U.S. 14, Europe 11. The end, it turns out, came unexpectedly. With both players on the 17th green, Leonard putted first, stepping up to stroke a 35-footer. Miraculously, it found the bottom of the hole. The U.S. entourage stormed the green and began celebrating -- assuming Olazabal missed his 25-footer, Leonard would take a 1-up lead into 18, assuring the half point the U.S. still needed. After clearing the putting surface, Olazabal took his time reading and addressing his putt. It was well off, and at 4:05, with Crenshaw planting kisses on the green, the U.S. had regained the Ryder Cup. "I never stopped believing in these guys, I'm not kidding you," Crenshaw said emphatically minutes later. "These are the greatest guys I've ever seen in my life. Seeing the day unfurl like this is absolutely something." All that was left was a triumphant march up 18 for Leonard. Olazabal drained a 20-foot putt to win the hole, but Leonard and the U.S. had their half point. What did it all add up to? U.S. 14 1/2, Europe 13 1/2. The most dominating day in Ryder Cup history. And the improbable return of the trophy to the United States.
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