Australian Senior Golfer

COLIN MONTGOMERIE’S Europe squad has snatched the 2010 Ryder Cup in a scintillating victory over the US in Wales.

In the end it all came down to a crucial birdie putt on the 16th by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell that helped him defeat world number 16 Hunter Mahan.

The US Open winner held is nerve to hang on and win 3&1 and secure the 14 ½ to 13 ½ win for Europe amid raucous and joyous scenes at Celtic Manor.

 “Graeme McDowell was put there for a good reason,” an elated Montgomerie said. “He’s full of confidence, and that showed. That birdie on 16 was just quite unbelievable, quite unbelievable.”

The victory, on the first Monday finish in the history of the competition, avenged Europe’s defeat to the Americans at Valhalla two years ago.

The Europeans were always in the box seat after a powerful third session performance but a gutsy US fightback took it down to the wire.

“I’m very proud. It’s a very proud moment for us all here in Europe,” captain Montgomerie said.

“They all played, to a man, magnificently. They all gave 110 percent and that’s all you can ask.

“All credit to the American team. You played magnificently today. The three-point deficit [at the start of Monday play] was the reason why we won.”

US captain Corey Pavin was proud of his team’s performance.

“I was very proud of how hard they fought all week,” he said. “We would win as a team and lose as a team. That’s the way it was and the way it is. I’m proud of every single one of them and their caddies and everybody that’s part of Team USA.”

TIGER WOODS has been shunted down the order and there won’t be the anticipated opening grudge match with Rory McIlroy when the Ryder Cup tees off in Wales this afternoon EST.

Woods has said he was keen to play McIlroy after the young Northern Ireland cup rookie said he wanted to face the troubled superstar.

Instead, McIlroy and fellow Ulsterman Graeme McDowell were drawn to play Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

Unlike previous Ryder Cup challenges when Woods has led the US charge, he has been placed in the third group, reunited with Steve Stricker in a match against English duo Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher, who formed a successful partnership in the 2009 World Cup.

United States captain Corey Pavin said that Woods was happy to play in the penultimate game of the first session.

“He was fine,” Pavin said. “He’s been saying the same thing that he’s been saying since I asked him if he wanted to play on the team as a pick: ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do.’”

Europe captain Colin Montgomerie, was pondering the move. No doubt aware as everyone is that Wood’s performance could have a big effect on the outcome.

“Tiger being hidden is a different move,” Montgomerie said.

Montgomerie turned to Lee Westwood, playing in his seventh Ryder Cup, to get the home side off to a winning start.

The Englishman will partner US PGA champion Martin Kaymer against world No.2 Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in match one.

Montgomerie is delighted the waiting is finally over and is predicting the matches will be very close..

“It’s been a long road and it’s great we’re here now,” he said.

The fourth match will see US cup rookies Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton take on England’s Luke Donald and Irish wildcard Padraig Harrington.

The Cup will be broadcast Live on ONE HD.

Ryder Cup Telecast Monday Evening Debacle Update

Channel 10/ONE HD has taken the unfortunate decision – or non decision – not to cover the delayed Ryder Cup singles matches live but to instead continue their simultaneous Commonwealth Games coverage on both channels.

There will apparently now be a delayed coverage beginning at midnight and going through to 6am.

You would think this situation would be the perfect opportunity for the network to use its new digital capabilities to cover both events.

Instead, they have severely let down the Australian golfing viewing public and ONE HD has damaged it’s fledgling sporting broadcaster reputation.

Plently of people are making a noise about this on the Channel 10 Forums and complaining to Channel 10 directly would also be a good idea.

Why the hell have two channels (or three in many locations with 10, ONE HD and ONE SD) broadcasting the same event when there is another would class event taking place in prime time.

ONE HD shows so much repeating crap and here they had such a good opportunity to exhibit their sporting nouse and credibility.

THE 2010 Ryder Cup is shaping as a compelling contest and as an added bonus for many the event will be broadcast live on Australian free to air television.

Much of the cup, a biennial international match play tournament contested between the best golfers from the United States and Europe, will also be taking place at more viewer friendly times than Australians are often faced with.

The 2010 Ryder Cup, the 38th in history, will be held between 1 – 3 October, at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales.

Two wily old competitors, Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin will respectively captain the European and US sides.

Australian television coverage will be live on Channel Ten’s ONE HD and there will also be delayed coverage on Foxtel.

ONE HD 2010 Ryder Cup Television Coverage

Friday Day 1: ONE HD LIVE coverage will begin with the Day 1 Fourball matches from  5.30pm – 9.30pm on Friday October 1 and then the Foursomes from 10pm – 3.30am

Saturday Day 2: LIVE 4.30pm – 10pm Fourballs; 10pm – 4.30am Foursomes.

Sunday Day 3: LIVE 9.30pm – 4am Final Day Singles

FOXSPORTS 2010 Ryder Cup Television Coverage

Jim Furyk hugs Justin Leonard after defeating Spain’s Miquel Angel Jimenez to secure the Ryder Cup for the US after three successive European victories.

The United States have won The Ryder Cup for the first time since 1999, ending a run of three successive victories for Europe.

Jim Furyk secured the winning point, defeating Miguel Angel Jiménez on the 17th green to take the US total to an insurmountable 14 ½ points.

Victory in the top singles match by Anthony Kim over Sergio Garcia set the tone for the day at the Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky.

While Paul Casey secured a battling half with Hunter Mahan and Robert Karlsson and Justin Rose both delivered for Europe, defeating Justin Leonard and Phil Mickelson, the next four matches all went to the US.

The two home town Kentuckians played their part, Kenny Perry getting the better of Henrik Stenson 3 & 2 and J B Holmes holding off Soren Hansen 2&1. Boo Weekley was also sensational in beating Oliver Wilson 4&2.

The end came when Furyk safely parred the 17th hole after Jiménez failed a 25 foot birdie chance that would have extended the the match for another hole.