"All the distractions before that were a lot media-based," Love said. "This team is really together."
But when the singles matches began, the U.S. team was also really behind. It was not an unusual position for the U.S. however. At Valderrama in 1997, the U.S. was behind 10 1/2-5 1/2, won eight of the 12 points and lost by a point. At Oak Hill in 1995, the U.S. trailed, 9-7, after two days, won 7 1/2 of the 12 points and lost by a point.
Add the Country Club to that list, but change the outcome.
"They beat us up the first two days," Stewart said. "It would be kind of nice not to have to win every single match on Sunday."
Maybe, but at least this time, it was kind of nice for the U.S. team that it happened just that way.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
UNITED STATES TURNS A 10-6 DEFICIT INTO A 14 1/2 - 13 1/2 RYDER CUP VICTORY
United States: Lehman defeats Westwood, 3 and 2
United States: Love defeats Van de Velde, 6 and 5
United States: Mickelson defeats Sandelin, 5 and 3
United States: Sutton defeats Clarke, 4 and 2
United States: Duval defeats Parnevik, 5 and 4 (U.S. takes lead)
United States: Woods defeats Coltart, 3 and 2
Europe: Harrington defeats O'Meara, 1 up
United States: Pate defeats Jimenez, 2 and 1
United States: Furyk defeats Garcia, 4 and 3
Europe: Lawrie defeats Maggert, 4 and 3
United States / Europe: Leonard halves with Olazabal
Europe: Montgomerie defeats Stewart, 1 up
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
RYDER CUP / THE COUNTRY CLUB
BIGGEST FINAL-DAY COMEBACKS
1999--U.S., 4 points
(Trailed 10-6; won 14 1/2-13 1/2)
1949--U.S., 2 points
(Trailed 3-1; won 7-5)
1957--Britain, 2 points
(Trailed 3-1; won 7 1/2-4 1/2)
1995--Europe, 2 points
(Trailed 9-7; won 14 1/2-13 1/2)
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JUSTIN LEONARD
Captain Ben Crenshaw's faith in Texas golfer is rewarded with the key putt in U.S. victory.
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TRACKING THE LEAD
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