Throwback Thursday: McDowell makes history with Ryder Cup winning putt
The Background
The European team, captained by Colin Montgomerie, held a three point lead heading into the final day singles at Celtic Manor.
For the first time in the history of the competition the final day had to be played out on the Monday due to torrential rain that left running water on the fairways.
The Scene
The United States team fought back early thanks to victories from Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Jeff Overton, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Zach Johnson’s 3&2 victory over Padraig Harrington then brought the scores level and left all eyes on the anchor match between Graeme McDowell and Hunter Mahan.
With the 16th green packed with fans, all eyes were on the Northern Irishman who rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt to take the tie to dormie with two to play.
Mahan then fatted a chip from the side of a packed 17th green and conceded the hole with McDowell taking a 3&1 victory as Europe secured the Ryder Cup.
The Legacy
The victory meant that Europe had won the competition six times since the United States’ victory at the Belfry in 1993.
That run would be extended to eight times as Jose Maria Olazabel’s team pulled off the “Miracle of Medinah” and Paul McGinley guided Europe to victory at Gleneagles.
Quiz: St Andrews Open champions
Played by NCG: Royal Lytham & St Annes
Reasons to be cheerful for Europe’s Ryder Cup cause
Matthew Beedle
Matthew has been playing golf since he was around 13 and took up the game at a local nine-hole municipal course with his friends before joining Pontefract & District Golf Club just over the hedge.
Still a member of Pontefract with a handicap of 3, he currently sits on the board of directors to help with digital and marketing initiatives in order to improve membership and visitor income.
Matthew graduated university with a First Class in Sports Journalism from Leeds Trinity University and has been working in the golf industry since graduating.
NCG’s social media & marketing manager, Matthew’s main job role is to increase website traffic to the National Club Golfer website via our email and social media channels as well as driving entries to grow our NCG Top 100s Tour events amongst other tasks.
Not one to change his equipment too often, Matthew currently plays the TaylorMade M2 driver which has lasted the test of time in his bag. Elsewhere, you’ll find him using the TaylorMade Stealth 2 three-wood with a Ping G425 Crossover 2-iron to aid his long game.
Through his 4-iron to Gap Wedge, Matthew uses the Ping i500 irons accompanied by Ping’s Glide 3.0 56-degree and 60-degree wedges.
Another club that has stood the test of time in his bag is a Nike Method Core MC-3i putter which has had to have the SuperStroke grip changed at least three times. Ball of choice is the Titleist ProV1.
