Quick 9: Golf’s greatest comebacks
Justice?
In a heated contest centred around the infamous ‘gimmegate’, the 2015 Solheim Cup should also be remembered for a gutsy comeback by Team USA. The Americans trailed Europe 10-6 heading into the singles and needed eight and a half points to win the cup back. They did just that. The nine-time champions swept the Europeans aside to claim a 14.5-13.5 victory and it must have felt like sweet justice.
Watson denied by a record-breaking Mahaffey
John Mahaffey probably falls under the category of lesser known major winners. But his impressive comeback at the 1978 PGA Championship still holds two records. His first round score of 75 is the highest start by a winner of the PGA and his seven-shot turnaround on the final day is the greatest final round comeback in the tournament’s history. His score of 68 on day four forced leader Tom Watson and Jerry Pate into a sudden death play-off. A 12-foot putt on the second play-off hole at Oakmont clinched Mahaffey the title. It also proved to be the closest Watson would come to landing that elusive PGA crown.
Kaymer seals sensational Europe win
Dubbed the ‘Miracle of Medinah’. Europe looked dead and buried on the Saturday evening at the 2012 Ryder Cup before Ian Poulter birdied the last five holes to leave the score at 10-6 going into the final day. With the spirit of Seve high in the Europe locker room they came out all guns blazing leaving the Americans shocked. Martin Kaymer eventually rolled in the putt to win the event on the 18th in the penultimate match. Jose Maria Olazabal looked up to heavens as Kaymer holed the put in memory of his best friend Seve as Europe walked away from Medinah with a 14.5 to 13.5 victory.
