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https://scmp.com/sport/golf/article/2024391/ryder-cup-redemption-sight-team-usa-hoping-avenge-miracle-medinah
Sport/ Golf

Ryder Cup redemption in sight: Team USA hoping to avenge the ‘Miracle at Medinah’

The Americans will be looking for redemption at Hazeltine after their heartbreaking loss four years ago at Medinah

Team US captain Davis Love III was also captain in 2012 when his team lost out to Europe in what has come to be known as ‘The Miracle of Medinah’. Photo: Reuters

The Americans will be looking for redemption at the Ryder Cup on Sunday after their heartbreaking loss four years ago at Medinah, the last time the biennial event was played on US soil.

USA captain Davis Love knows what it’s like to win two Ryder Cups but he also remembers standing on the green in 2012 in Chicago and watching Europe beat Team USA by matching the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history.

The 52-year-old Love served as USA team captain when Europe rallied to win 14 1/2-13 1/2 in the so-called “Miracle at Medinah”.

“I will never forget the conversation Darren Clarke and I had Sunday night at Medinah on the back porch of the hotel,” Love said. “He and I will have another conversation about this lineup, no matter what the outcome is.”

The Americans won three of four points in the afternoon four-ball matches Saturday, giving them a thee-point lead heading into Sunday singles.

Love has played on six US Ryder Cup teams, winning the trophy in 1992 and 1999 and losing four times in 1995, 1997, 2002 and 2004.

But it was the Medinah meltdown that stands out most in peoples’ minds as German Martin Kaymer defeated Steve Stricker 1-up to cap Europe’s record-equalling comeback from a 10-6 deficit.
Members of Team Europe hold the Ryder Cup after the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club in 2012. Photo: AFP
Members of Team Europe hold the Ryder Cup after the final day of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club in 2012. Photo: AFP

Europe team captain Clarke said Saturday he remembers talking to Love on the porch of that Chicago hotel back in 2012.

“I felt for Davis that day,” Clarke said without going into details of their conversation.

Europe is seeking an unprecedented fourth win in a row over the Americans in what would be a seventh in eight tries and the ninth in 11 outings.

Love’s Sunday challenge is to end the misery and reclaim the trophy for the first time since 2008.

“I have confidence in all 12 guys,” Love said. “They have done what we have asked.

“It is nice to go in on a high. But as I said all but two of us have been on teams before and we know the deal.
Europe’s players pour champagne over captain Paul McGinley as they celebrate winning the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Photo: AP
Europe’s players pour champagne over captain Paul McGinley as they celebrate winning the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Photo: AP

“You just can’t get off the game plan. We have to just keep grinding it out for one more day,” said Love, who won the 1997 PGA Championship and 20 other US PGA Tour events in his playing career.

Clarke said his players can draw on inspiration from what the 2012 squad accomplished.

“In Medinah they were four points behind, one point worse than what we are now,” Clarke said. “Teams have come back from that deficit. So it is still game on.

“There’s 12 points to play for tomorrow. We are currently three points behind. Those guys fully believe that they have the talent and the desire to put a result in tomorrow.”