Stars of the 2010 Ryder Cup

Who were the stars of the Ryder Cup, no matter who won? There’s no doubt that some had a better week than others.

Man of the Match

Graeme McDowell has to be The Star, because he had the winning point in the last match, thereby proving that his victory at the U.S. Open was definitely not a fluke. He played like a major champion. He was also 2-1-1 for the contest.

Man of the Match Part 2

Luke Donald, like Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker, accounted for three points for his team.

Man of the Match Part Tweet

Ian Poulter won three points for Europe without ever wearing pink. He said before, during, and after that he just loves Ryder Cup and even slept outside in a tent as a youngster before one of the matches at The Belfry. He and Ross Fisher did lose to Woods and Stricker in the opening fourball.

Comeback Player

Tiger Woods: After an indifferent season, Woods finally brought his game at the Ryder Cup, going 3-1-0 for the matches.

Rock Solid Players

Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson for the US: After a two-victory season and a chance to win the FedEx Cup, Stricker partnered with a not quite perfect yet Tiger Woods to secure three important points for the US.

Zach Johnson made putt after putt and with his accuracy was important for foursomes matches.  He closed out Padraig Harrington on Sunday for a full point. He was clutch when it counted.

Rookies of the Matches

Tie: Jeff Overton and Rickie Fowler for the US and Ross Fisher and Martin Kaymer for the Euros. Overton won his singles match and holed out from the fairway in a fourball match. Overton was the third highest point getter for the US, after some pretty lofty company, Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker. Kaymer and Fisher each partnered for two fourball victories. 

Without Overton’s singles victory on Monday, the US team would not have had a chance for victory. He won three of the last four holes, coming back from two down at the ninth. 

Fowler made some important putts and scored two half-points, the most important one of which was on Monday. The Monday halve with Edoardo Molinari allowed Hunter Mahan to have a chance to tie with Europe. Had Mahan succeeded, it would have kept the trophy in American hands. That’s how close things were. Fowler made a strong comeback too. He had to birdie the last four holes to secure the halve.

Super Captain

Colin Montgomerie: He was gracious, so far as we have been able to determine, start to finish. He was crying at the end.