My throat is scratchy, and I’m all choked up. What an incredible display of guts, courage, sportsmanship and golf!
##What a display!
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I’ve been a fan of sports in general, and golf in particular for most of my life. I remember vividly the Miracle on Ice in 1980 when Team USA won the gold medal at the Olympics. I remember Jack Nicklaus winning his sixth Master’s title in 1986. I remember Hank Aaron hitting his 713th home run. Who will ever forget the home run derby last year! And this Ryder Cup ranks right up there.
##Justin time!
[[leonard*multi*990926]]
Have you ever seen such a clutch performance in your life? I sure haven’t. Down 4 with 7 to play then birdying 5 to ensure a US victory. Not only that, but the last hole won, the 17th, with a 50 foot double breaking steep uphill put through the shade of the trees is just so incredibly ballsy that I have no other words to describe it. That moment ranks as one of the greatest moments in sport in the 20th century, perhaps of all time.
##Leave Monty Alone!
OK guys. You know who you are. Let’s just give Monty a break.
I love to hate him as much as the rest of you (to me he represents everything “British” about the British, if that makes any sense), but that’s no call for the sort of behavior displayed by the gallery during the event. Sure, I was at home willing him to miss key putts. Sure, I applauded and taunted him from my livingroom. But I would never dream in a million years of doing such a thing on the course, during the event.
[[monty*fist*990925]]
To put it bluntly, as proud as I am to be an American with the way our boys sucked it up and bulldozed the Euros, I’m just as ashamed to be an American with the lack of class of my fellow countrymen.
Colin… if you ever read this (I know, you probably never will), look me up some time (the email address is at the bottom of the page) and I’ll buy you a pint of Newcastle Brown and apologize for the low class jerks at The Country Club (maybe I’ll even throw a game of darts with you just for kicks :-). You showed an incredible amount of self control and class and let your game speak for you. And it spoke volumes. I think we need to get a “Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf” type match between you and Tiger. You have the game for the number one spot in the world, without a doubt.
##Captain Comeback
You called it Ben!!!! That “I believe in fate, and I have a good feeling about this” comment was akin to Magic Johnson guaranteeing a repeat NBA championship victory. Or Muhammed Ali guaranteeing a victory. Or Babe Ruth calling his shot. Unbelievable.
The reality is, that team USA had no chance. But no chance was good enough and they pulled through and did it. You believed when no one else did.
If someone out in Hollywood had pitched this story as an idea for a movie it would have been turned down as too improbable. But it happened, and in spectacular fashion.
I have to admit that I questioned you picks with friends of mine over beers at the local pub. Boy was I wrong! I had no problem with Lehman, but Pate was a mystery to me. Not anymore (and who do I think I am anyway, trying to outguess someone whose job it is to know these things :-).
##Sergi-oh-my-God!
If there’s an MVP for the Ryder Cup 1999, it’s gotta be Sergio Garcia. Sure, Hal Sutton is the MVP for the US team, but I truly believe that what kept the Euros close was the contagious joy and energy of Garcia. I believe that he pumped his team up so much that for the first two days he had the US team shell shocked.
If Seve wasn’t still alive, I’d call Sergio absolute evidence of reincarnation.
##Euros… Take a Chill Pill!
I seem to remember some pretty enthusiastic celebrations from you guys at Oak Hill and Valderama. And I don’t remember anyone from the US accusing you of lacking respect for our guys (nor would we). You deserved the celebrations, just as we did after Justin’s once-in-a-century putt for victory. Sure, I know that victory had not yet been achieved. Olazabel still had his putt. But the chances of him actually making it were slim and none.
Any putt from that distance is 5% skill and 95% luck, I don’t care who you are (I just finished reading Dave Pelz’s book on the short game, and he has the stats to prove it). Justin had just done the impossible, and lightening just doesn’t strike twice like that. OK, maybe there was a 1 in 100 chance that Jose could have pulled it off, but that’s about it. The celebration had no effect on the outcome. Period.
Also, as far as I’m concerned, it didn’t show any lack of respect for Olazabel. Just ask the players. Or the fans. I personally think he’s one of the class acts and most entertaining golfers to watch.
##Play for Pay??
This is really the only blemish on an otherwise perfect Ryder Cup.
CarneyWeb 