Golf · 2012 · Medinah, USA
The Miracle at Medinah
Trailing by four points overnight, Europe wins eight and a half of the twelve singles matches on the final day to complete the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.
Europe 14½-13½ USA
Final result
10-6
Overnight deficit
8½ of 12
Singles points won by Europe
Team USA led 10-6 heading into the final day's twelve singles matches at Medinah Country Club, a lead so commanding that a European win looked close to mathematically remote. Only once before in Ryder Cup history had a team recovered from that far behind on the final day.
Ian Poulter's five straight birdies to close out Saturday's session had already given Europe momentum and belief heading into Sunday, and it carried through the singles: Justin Rose, Luke Donald, and Rory McIlroy, who nearly missed his tee time after mixing up the time zone, all won key points as the board turned blue. Martin Kaymer holed the putt that retained the trophy outright, before Tiger Woods conceded the final match to Francesco Molinari to confirm the overall win, 14½ points to 13½.
European players wore wristbands that week bearing the silhouette of Seve Ballesteros, the inspirational former captain who had died the previous year, and many of the team credited his memory as part of what carried them through Sunday. The comeback is still widely regarded as the greatest in the competition's history.
Watch the Moment
