SKIPPER AND EUROPE GIVE AMERICA THE BUM’S RUSH
FROM BACK PAGE notion with a devastating performance, taking 7.5 points out of the final-day singles to slap down an early American charge – and reclaim the cup they lost at Hazeltine two years ago.
On a day when record points scorer Sergio Garcia and five-out-offive winning Francesco Molinari carved their names in the history books Bjorn admitted he’ll be having something permanently etched too. He said: “Let me put it this way, it’s going to go on a part that only Grace (his partner) will see.
“I might have to send the players a picture – then you’ll all see it as well, I guess. It’s the worst decision I made all week.”
Ian Poulter revealed the pact Bjorn had made with his players. He said: “I don’t know when it’s going to get done but we had some extra motivation this week to make sure we put our hands on that trophy.
“As little or big as that number is going to be it will be a very interesting number to see.”
Bjorn, who in 1997 became the first Dane to play in the Ryder Cup, said: “I felt all along that this was a good group of guys.”
Europe had trailed 3-1 after Friday’s fourballs but they swept the afternoon foursomes. By Saturday evening they were 10-6 ahead. Jim Furyk’s US side did not throw in the towel though and when Europe’s heavyweights Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose lost in early singles matches there were anxious moments.
Bjorn said: “There was a little moment in the middle of it all where I was getting a bit worried but then everybody stood up and did their bit. We got it right this week.”