On this day in 2002: Europe beat the United States in the Ryder Cup

Europe regained the Ryder Cup by beating the United States at The Belfry after Paul McGinley sank a dramatic 10-foot putt, on this day in 2002.
Sam Torrance’s hosts went into the head-to-head clashes needing six and a half points for overall victory after the two teams were tied at 8-8 overnight.
Irishman McGinley held his nerve to secure a decisive half point against America’s Jim Furyk, sparking wild celebrations among spectators and the team, before he jubilantly leapt into the lake at the Warwickshire course.

Emotional Europe captain Torrance said: “It’s just fantastic. Tremendous. It was always going to be close, but we’ve won it.
“It had nothing to do with me. I led the boys to water, and they drank copiously.”
Torrance’s bold tactics of putting his strong men out first paid off handsomely.
Wins for Colin Montgomerie, Bernhard Langer – each unbeaten all week – Padraig Harrington and Thomas Bjorn contributing significantly to the 15½-12½ success.
Welshman Phillip Price beat world number two Phil Mickelson 3&2 with an incredible 25-foot pressure putt on the 16th to bring Europe within touching distance of avenging the 14 1⁄2–13 1⁄2 loss suffered in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1999.
And McGinley – who later captained Europe to success at Gleneagles in 2014 -subsequently seized his chance for a place in cup folklore, having trailed Furyk from the second hole onwards.
Defeated US captain Curtis Strange said: “Sam snookered me. I think he gambled a bit and it paid off. The fans seemed to carry the second half of their team.”
Latest
-
News
Patrick Reed makes impressive start after floods cause delay in Dubai
Reed was able to complete 16 holes on a truncated day at Emirates Golf Club.
-
PGA Tour
England’s Aaron Rai shares lead after first round of Farmers Insurance Open
The 27-year-old started on the more forgiving North Course of Torrey Pines.
-
The Masters
‘Unfortunate’ if Masters is no longer shown on terrestrial TV, says Rory McIlroy
According to a report, the BBC is set to not renew its deal to show highlights of the event.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy hits back at Patrick Reed as tensions rise at Dubai Desert Classic
‘I’m living in reality, I don’t know where he’s living,’ McIlroy said.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy has ‘unfinished business’ as rankings race with Jon Rahm heats up
Rahm has won four of his last six events and could replace McIlroy at the top of the world this weekend.
-
PGA Tour
Jon Rahm to begin bid for hat-trick of PGA Tour wins with ‘very high hopes’
Rahm has fond memories of Torrey Pines, venue of this week’s Farmers Insurance Open.
-
News
Jon Rahm outlasts rookie Davis Thompson to win American Express by one stroke
The Spaniard will now move up one spot in the world rankings to number three.
-
PGA Tour
Victor Perez survives late scare to win in Abu Dhabi after brilliant bunker shot
Perez produced a sensational birdie from the sand on the 17th to clinch his first Rolex Series title.
-
PGA Tour
Shane Lowry, Francesco Molinari and Min Woo Lee tied at the top in Abu Dhabi
The trio head into Sunday’s final round on 13 under par with a three-strong group one shot back.
-
PGA Tour
Francesco Molinari rediscovers form to claim share of lead in Abu Dhabi
The Italian has not had a top-three finish in a strokeplay event since March 2019.