2012 Ryder Cup recap

We look back at Europe's scintillating singles comeback in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club

Martin Kaymer
Martin Kaymer after holing the winning putt in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah
(Image credit: Getty Images)

We look back at Europe's scintillating singles comeback in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club

The 2012 Ryder Cup will go down as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sport.

After a positive start, Europe - captained by Jose Maria Olazabal - struggled for three consecutive sessions to head into the Sunday singles 10-6 down.

But it could have been worse. Ian Poulter birdied his final five holes in the Saturday afternoon fourballs - including a 12-footer on the 18th green - to provide some much-needed momentum and galvanise his on-looking teammates.

Ian Poulter: top 10 Ryder Cup facial expressions

And when the singles pairings were announced later that evening, there was sense of optimism from within the European camp that the impossible could be achieved.

On Sunday, Europe won the first five matches - notable victories coming from Poulter, Rory McIlroy and Paul Lawrie - and when Sergio Garcia fought back to defeat Jim Furyk and Lee Westwood saw off Matt Kuchar, the dream was very much alive.

All it required was a point from either Martin Kaymer or Francesco Molinari, and the German - going through a career slump at the time, a fact many seem to forget - would deliver.

He went back to all square on the 17th green and, with opponent Steve Stricker in trouble on the 18th, needed two putts to close out the match and secure a famous Ryder Cup victory.

He rushed his first putt some five feet past, but composed himself to knock in the return, sparking scenes of European euphoria in Chicago.

Below, we take a look at some of the best images from the 2012 Ryder Cup (all images = Getty Images).

Ian Poulter

Poulter celebrates victory in the Saturday fourballs - a win that rejuvinated Europe

Justin Rose

Justin Rose celebrates holing a 40-footer against Phil Mickelson on the 17th hole on Sunday

Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood defeated Matt Kuchar 3&2 to take Europe to 13 points

Martin Kaymer

Kaymer celebrates after holing a five-footer to win the Ryder Cup

Martin Kaymer

One of the most iconic images of the 2012 Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy and Westwood celebrate

2012 Ryder Cup

Sergio Garcia with the European fans

2012 Ryder Cup

Rose is drenched with champagne

Martin Kaymer

Kaymer reflects on the enormity of what he's just achieved

Graeme McDowell

G-Mac with Ryder Cup debutant Nicolas Colsaerts, the 'Belgian Bomber'

2012 Ryder Cup

Team Europe celebrates a remarkable victory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x