Keegan Bradley’s US side need a miracle on Sunday at Bethpage Black, with Europe 11.5-4.5 up after two days.
History tells us that final-day comebacks are quite rare in the Ryder Cup, when 12 singles matches decide the winner of the famous trophy.
That said, there have been a couple of crackers.
It’s all about momentum in the Ryder Cup, and it’s amazing what a change of color on the leaderboard can do.
BROOKLINE, 1999, USA WIN 14.5-13.5
Justin Leonard tries to clear the celebrating American team off the green after sinking a huge birdie putt on the 17th at Brookline Country Club
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The “Battle of Brookline” in 1999 saw Team USA rally from a 10-6 behind to snatch the trophy, when it had looked destined to be heading back to Europe.
Captain Ben Crenshaw challenged his troops to believe it was possible the night before, when he said: “I’m a big believer in fate. I have a good feeling about this.”
His team delivered. Roared on by the home fans, they won the first six singles matches to seize control.
The match between Justin Leonard and Jose Maria Olazabal will be remembered for years to come, but not necessarily for the right reasons.
The American trailed Olazabal by four holes with seven to play, but took the lead on the 17th, which sparked wild celebrations that spilled onto the green.
Olazabal, to his credit, made an 18-foot birdie on the final hole to earn the halve, but the Ryder Cup would not be going back across the pond to Europe.
It had been a long wait for Team USA. In winning 8.5 of a possible 12 points, the US team got their hands on the Ryder Cup for the first time since 1993.
- Tom Lehman bt Lee Westwood 3&2
- Hal Sutton bt Darren Clarke 4&2
- Phil Mickelson bt Jarmo Sandelin 4&3
- Davis Love III bt Jean Van De Velde 6&5
- Tiger Woods bt Andrew Coltart 3&2
- David Duval bt Jesper Parnevik 5&4
- Padraig Harrington bt Mark O’Meara 1 Up
- Steve Pate bt Miguel Angel Jimenez 2&1
- Justin Leonard, Jose María Olazabal Tied
- Colin Montgomerie bt Payne Stewart 1 Up
- Jim Furyk bt Sergio Garcia 4&3
- Paul Lawrie bt Jeff Maggert 4&3
MEDINAH COUNTRY CLUB, 2012, EUROPE WIN 14.5-13.5
Martin Kaymer completes a remarkable comeback for Europe at Medinah in 2012
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Europeans wore the image of the late Seve Ballesteros on their sleeves, and…
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