Fantasy Favorite

How did the underdogs win? They didn't. The Europeans were the favorites, even in singles. Like a by-the-book baseball manager, Hal Sutton's lineup went straight down the qualifying list, highlighting the weakness of the American team: four major talents on top--and then what?

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

�

Stat

12 Europeans to win at least one match. The only other time they have done so was in '95.

The End Game

David Toms was 2 down at the turn, but he won the 11th and 12th holes to pull even against Colin Montgomerie. The Americans were still in a position to pull off the comeback to end all comebacks, but Toms had to win. On the par3 13th he stiffed his tee shot. Monty knocked his to within eight feet, then drained the putt for a birdie. When Toms missed his, Montgomerie took the lead for good. Fittingly, the European stalwart--he has a 19-8-5 record in seven Ryder Cups--holed the putt at 18 that secured his win and his team's.

TIGER ENTHUS-O-METER

Facing Paul Casey in the leadoff match, Woods never trailed and even gave a circa-1997 fist pump when he eagled 12. When the day was over, he hung with Elin but looked alone, as if the U.S. loss hurt.

That's What I'm Talking About! [check]