Europe’s heavy Ryder Cup defeat, the return of Tiger Woods and the passing of legend Arnold Palmer – here’s the golf review of the year
Henrik Stenson's dramatic battle with Phil Mickelson was also a standout highlight
MAYBE we shouldn’t be too surprised Donald Trump was elected US president — their golfers had already shown anything was possible by winning the Ryder Cup!
The home team did not just claim victory for only the second time this century, they also registered their most emphatic triumph for 35 years with a thumping 17-11 success.
European supporters recognised their team — containing six rookies — were underdogs, especially on a wide open Hazeltine course that allowed the American big-hitters to spray the ball to all corners without finding any trouble.
But who saw that hiding coming?
European players still had plenty to celebrate, though, providing two of 2016’s four first-time Major champions, as well as the Olympic gold medallist.
So here is the scorecard for another glorious year on the golf course.
63
MAGICAL 63s were posted by both Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson at one of the most memorable Opens ever.
Five months after Mickelson’s stunning opening-round 63, it is still hard to believe his putt for the first 62 in any Major defied gravity and stayed out.
But Stenson’s sensational finale — on a day when Lefty closed with a 65 that would have been more than good
enough to win pretty much any other Major — raised the status of their Sunday shootout to rival 1977’s Turnberry
‘Duel in the Sun’ with Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.
7
THE number of shots Jordan Spieth took at Augusta’s 155-yard 12th hole in the final round, as his hopes of retaining the Masters disappeared into a watery grave.
After hitting a second ball into Rae’s Creek with a duffed chip that barely rose above ankle height, the young American turned to caddie Michael Greller and confessed: “Buddy, it seems like we’re collapsing.”
He was. His quadruple bogey — after also dropping shots at the tenth and 11th holes — meant the five-stroke lead Spieth took into the back nine had suddenly evaporated.
England’s Danny Willett seized his unexpected opportunity and birdies at 13, 14, and 16 propelled him to an unexpected three-shot victory.
8.8 million
A MASSIVE 8.8million Americans watched the final round of the Olympic golf tournament as the sport overcame the absence of so many big names.
USA’s leading player Matt Kuchar was a distant third as Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson battled it out. Rose clinched the gold and US viewing figures were bettered only by the Masters and Ryder Cup.
24
BIRDIES by Tiger Woods at the Hero Challenge this month, the most in the 18-man field.
He only finished 15th, but it was good to see the American legend back after 16 months out injured.
87
ARNOLD PALMER’S age when he plunged golf into mourning following his death the week before the Ryder Cup.
The King had huge flair and charisma and revolutionised the game. He started an era of big prize money and huge TV coverage — today’s pros are in his debt.
0
THE number of points won by Europe in the opening Ryder Cup foursomes session.
There would be no Medinah-style miracles this time as the US rammed home their superiority — Lee Westwood putted like a man wearing a blindfold and Danny Willett wilted in the face of the backlash caused by his brother’s anti-American rant.