Final Numbers from the 2012 Ryder Cup

Justin Rose (3-2) and Rory McIlroy (3-2) were the only two Europeans who played in all five sessions at Medinah.

Nearly every Team USA member played in four matches except for Jim Furyk (1-2), Dustin Johnson (3-0), Matt Kuchar (2-1) and Brandt Snedeker (1-2), who all played in just three sessions.

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal's pick, Nicolas Colsaerts, only won one match (1-3) but was brilliant in making eight birdies and an eagle in the Friday four-ball with partner Lee Westwood against Team USA's Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker.

Olazabal’s other captain’s pick, Ian Poulter, led both teams with a 4-0 record and incited Europe’s Sunday charge by making five consecutive birdies in his Saturday four-ball match to win a full point for Europe.

Captain Davis Love III had four picks—Furyk (1-2), Stricker (0-4), Johnson (3-0) and Snedeker (1-2).  Stricker, who teamed with Woods in the team matches, could never get comfortable on Medinah’s slick greens. 

Medinah appeared to be just a little too long for Furyk, and he was not able to hole any meaningful putts. In all fairness, he had a great 2012 and remember, he was 5-0 just one year ago in the 2011 Presidents Cup. 

Johnson (3-0), in hindsight, probably should have played in more matches, possibly paired with Tiger Woods in four-ball and Brandt Snedeker in foursomes.

There were five first-time Ryder Cup players. Team USA had Jason Dufner (3-1), Keegan Bradley (3-1) and Webb Simpson (2-2) qualify on points.  Love chose Snedeker (1-2) as a captain’s pick due to his outstanding play in the first two FedEx Cup Playoff events.

The Ryder Cup being scheduled one week after Snedeker won the FedEx Cup may have been a factor in his performance.

Colsaerts (1-3) was the only Ryder Cup rookie on the European team, and as mentioned earlier, had just one good match against Woods.

European veterans Rose (3-2), Poulter (4-0) and McIlroy (3-2) all had winning records at Medinah.  Luke Donald (2-2), Westwood (2-2) and Sergio Garcia (2-2) also contributed. 

Veterans Martin Kaymer (1-1), Paul Lawrie (1-2) and Graeme McDowell (1-3) lost more than they won. 

Francesco Molinari (0-2-1) got his half point after the cup was decided. Only Peter Hanson (0-2) came up empty for the Europeans.

Team USA veterans who performed well were Dustin Johnson (3-0), Zach Johnson (3-1) and Phil Mickelson (3-1). Mickelson’s points all came when paired with Bradley.  Zach Johnson and Dustin Johnson were the only veterans to win their singles match.

Kuchar (2-1) and Bubba Watson (2-2) performed well in the team competition but lost in singles.

Furyk (1-2) earned his point in the Friday foursomes when paired with Snedeker.

Woods (0-3-1) did not win a full point and collected the only half point of the Ryder Cup when he split his singles match with Molinari after the cup was decided.    

Stricker (0-4) was the only player on the American side to be shut out.  

Woods was the No. 1 qualifier for Team USA, but only Stricker (0-4) won fewer Ryder Cup points for the American team.

Poulter (4-0) was No. 17 on the Europe's qualifying points list and a captain's pick, but he was the leading point-winner for both sides.  

When you add it all up, the Europeans outplayed the Americans and won for the seventh time in the last nine Ryder Cups.

What appeared to be a rout ended up to be one of the most exciting golf competitions ever witnessed and continues to add to the rich history of the Ryder Cup.