Golf Betting - Team Europe wins Ryder Cup

Europes’s Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell admitted that he endured the worst nerves of his career at Celtic Manor.The defeat was more than Hunter Mahan could handle.The US Open champion’s 3 & 1 success against Hunter Mahan ended a fearless United States fightback.The tournament ended with Europe leading the charge and finishing off team USA in one of the longest Ryder Cup and one of the most thrilling matches in its history.Not since 1991 at Kiawah Island had the Ryder Cup been decided by the final singles match, revealing the rawest emotions found in golf and delivering a moment that defines a career — even for a US Open champion.But that was the scenario McDowell faced, knowing he had to beat Mahan or Europe’s victory hopes would lie in shreds.Clinging to a 1-up lead with three holes to play, with Europe needing his match to reclaim the precious gold trophy, McDowell gently sent his 15-foot putt toward the cup and set off a ground-shaking roar when it dropped for birdie.“The best putt I’ve hit in my life,” McDowell said.One hole later, Mahan was well short on a par-3 17th, botched a chip and handed over a par to McDowell that gave Europe the 14 1/2 points it needed to take back the cup.A distraught Mahan could barely speak to reporters after, but McDowell added, “Hunter played great today.”“It was very flat for 12 or 13 holes, then all of a sudden it was obvious our match was going to count.  He shouldn’t feel too disappointed.“I am sure he felt like he had a chance to do it for the USA.  It just so happened it came down to me.  I didn’t want it to come down to me.“That birdie on 16 was huge,” Mahan said, fighting back tears.  “He beat me.”After everything that has been said and done, the tournament was ultimately about team play – and Europe was the best again.The Americans have not won the Ryder Cup away from home since 1993, although this was their best effort since then.  For the longest time, it didn’t look as though it would come down to McDowell and Mahan, the anchors of this singles session.“Graeme McDowell was put there for a good reason — he’s full of confidence and that showed,” European captain Colin Montgomerie said.  “That birdie on 16 was just quite unbelievable.  Quite unbelievable.”European talisman Lee Westwood, newly-installed as world number two behind Tiger Woods, offered an insight into what McDowell had gone through.“I don’t know how people watch – it’s awful watching,” Westwood said, as he witnessed every moment of McDowell’s battle from the sidelines.”“You can’t do anything about it.  It is much easier playing, because you are in control.  It was horrible.”“When you are a player you understand what someone like Graeme was going through today.  You know how nervous he is going to be, but you can’t do anything about it.”“At that moment in time, Graeme had the team’s whole success or failure in his hands – and that’s a lot of pressure.”The United States took the singles battle 7-5, but Europe’s four winners – McDowell, Ian Poulter, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Luke Donald – held their nerve, and there were also critical halves gained by Ryder Cup rookies Rory McIlroy and Edoardo Molinari.Woods had his best Ryder Cup, winning his opening two matches with Stricker and bouncing back from his worst defeat to overwhelm Francesco Molinari on the back nine for a 4-and-3 victory.The Americans put up a bigger fight than expected, but left Europe with a familiar feeling — and without the cup.For more of the lastest sports news go to Wikisportsbook today. And to bet on your favorite team go to Sportsbook now! Higher payous, great bonuses and bigger chances to win.