GMac: ‘I’ve never been so nervous’

As if they did not have enough Ryder Cup heroes already, Ireland have come up with another – Graeme McDowell.
As if they did not have enough Ryder Cup heroes already, Ireland came up with another amid the amazing scenes at Celtic Manor during this historic, first-time Monday finish.
And yes, it had to be Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, the reigning US Open Champion and the man who was thrown the onerous task of cealing Europe’s thrilling, last-gasp victory.
Following in the famous footsteps of Eamonn Darcy, Christy O’Connor, Philip Walton and Paul McGinley, the 31-year-old from Portrush won back the trophy for Europe when everything depended on him.
If McDowell thought he had faced the ultimate test of character when he won his first major in June, he was made to think again.
“I have never felt as nervous in my life,” he admitted.
Yet under such enormous pressure – this was the first match to go to the final game since 1991 – McDowell, back at the course where he won the Wales Open four months ago, beat Hunter Mahan at the 17th.
And he did so thanks to a dramatic 20-foot birdie putt at the 16th and then a par on the short 17th when Mahan fluffed a chip and eventually conceded the hole.
Colin Montgomerie’s side lost the singles 7-5, but having taken a three-point lead into singles day – the first Monday in Ryder Cup history because of all the rain – they triumphed by a slim 14½ -13½ margin.
“This is crazy,” added McDowell. “I was trying to do it for 11 team-mates, for all the fans, for the caddies, for Europe and for Monty – and we were all trying to win it for Seve (Ballesteros) too.
“The back nine at Pebble Beach felt like a back nine playing with my dad at Royal Portrush.
“It’s so much pressure and this is a special feeling – there’s nothing quite like it.
“Monty was amazing. For the last two years he has been up for this.”
Yet the Scot immediately pushed all the praise back to his team and backroom staff.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
Lucas Glover edges past Patrick Cantlay to claim back-to-back Tour wins
Glover, 43, ultimately claimed victory with a par on the 18th hole playoff after Cantlay found water off the tee.
-
Lilia Vu wins second major as Charley Hull comes up short despite stunning eagle
American Vu added the Women’s Open title to her Chevron Championship.
-
Lucas Glover holds onto lead in Memphis with Tommy Fleetwood two strokes behind
Glover said it was a scrappy day but he got ‘a lot out of’ what he had.
-
Charley Hull shares lead with Lilia Vu heading into final day of Women’s Open
The pair are nine under for the tournament.
-
On This Day in 2007 – Tiger Woods claims 13th major with victory in Oklahoma
The world number one successfully defended his US PGA Championship title.
-
Ally Ewing out to emulate Brian Harman with Open win
The pair share their southern roots, passion for hunting and college teams named the Bulldogs.
-
Ally Ewing storms clear during second round of AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath
At 10 under par Ewing enjoyed a five-shot lead over compatriot Andrea Lee and Japan’s Minami Katsu.
-
Jordan Spieth leads by one after first round of FedEx St Jude Championship
England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.
-
Rory McIlroy delighted with Tiger Woods’ role on PGA Tour’s policy board
Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward.