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 'We gave it our best shot' Europeans hold heads high in defeat
Posted: Sunday September 26, 1999 11:46 PM
BROOKLINE, Mass. (Reuters) -- It was only later that European captain Mark James conceived a stratagem on how he might have slowed the steamrolling U.S. side that Sunday beat Europe in the greatest Ryder Cup comeback ever. "I could have rang in a bomb scare, I suppose," James said in his trademark deadpan. "That might have been a good plan." Europe, which had stunned the heavily-favored U.S. team by building an impressive four-point lead after the first two days of team matches, carried a 10-6 advantage into Sunday's last 12 singles. No team had ever recovered from a deficit of more than two points to win the Cup on the final day, but the Americans, who have traditionally fared better in singles, made Ryder history by winning eight matches -- including the first seven -- and halving another to claim a 14 1/2-13 1/2 triumph. "They came out screeching," said James. "It was quite remarkable. That's what you have to do in this game, ride the streak. And they rode the streak tremendously well today." Jesper Parnevik of Sweden, who had teamed with Spanish 19-year-old wonder Sergio Garcia to win 3 1/2 of a possible 4 points over the first two days, said the U.S. charge was impressive. "The momentum was definitely building. You could tell by the first few matches. They were just not even close. They pretty much ran us over,' he said. "And when they got the first six matches that easily, the crowd is going to get more involved. They just got a huge momentum going." Europe entered the Ryder Cup as huge underdogs against the Americans, counting seven rookies on their squad and suffering a lopsided disparity from rankings comparisons. Despite the obvious disappointment in not retaining the Cup after winning the last two at Valderrama (1997) and Oak Hill (1995), James was proud of his players. "They've given me more than 100 percent, really. And we came up just short," he said. "But we gave it absolutely everything. I felt nothing was left to chance. And I think we gave it our best shot." James gambled by leaning on his best players during the first two days of play and leaving three of his men out of the lineup until Sunday's singles, which feature all members of each 12-man team. The three who played for the first time Sunday fared poorly. Jarmo Sandelin lost 4 and 3 to Phil Mickelson, Jean Van de Velde was beaten 6 and 5 by Davis Love, and Andrew Coltart, one of James's captain's picks, lost 5 and 4 to Tiger Woods. James would not second guess his game plan. "I think we were outplayed. I don't think we were outmaneuvered," he said. "I think the way they [Americans] played and the stuff that was flowing into the hole from all angles, I don't think tactics would have made much difference." Colin Montgomerie, who compiled 3 1/2 points to share the European team lead with Parnevik, Garcia and British Open champion Paul Lawrie, held his head high about his team's showing. "We came in here as massive underdogs at the start of the week, massive underdogs. I think what we did the first two days was unbelievable," he said. "And we should take great heart in that performance as a team to get four points ahead. "It just wasn't enough at the end of the day. The Americans played very well today. But we should take great heart in what we achieved here today, and we gave America a hell of a fright."
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