Media playback is not supported on this device Ryder Cup: Ryan Moore and Matt Kuchar’s ‘Deliverance’
Ryder Cup, 10-11 October, Le Golf National, Paris Coverage: Score updates, BBC Radio 5 live and sports extra
New golfing heroes emerged as Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas delivered Team USA’s comeback to win the Ryder Cup.
But for the Americans it was history maker Dustin Johnson who ignited the early comeback.
“It was Dustin who got us going,” said Nick Faldo after he was beaten 5&4 by Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.
“We rallied around him as a team with him looking so focused and ready to go at the start of the fourballs. He is very calm, he was awesome.”
Johnson – a father of two daughters and with a wife having given birth only days before – was one of just eight players who were selected by outgoing captain Jim Furyk.
He is now an iconic figure at the Ryder Cup, having defeated Garcia twice and Spieth and Thomas on a day that included four birdies in the opening four holes of the fourballs and three in the fourballs.
The day had begun so differently for the Americans.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Englishman Justin Rose brought the home fans to their feet with a stunning comeback from four points down to beat Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 4&3 in the morning fourballs.
“That’s what it was all about, waiting for the day where we could come back,” Thomas, who made his Ryder Cup debut, told the BBC.
“The first point was key and to set the tone and the momentum was the biggest thing. Then we gave them one point back with two birdies but five points was still great. We knew we had to go out there and match their energy.”
Johnson did the same, inspiring Spieth and Reed to defeat England’s Paul Casey and Tyrrell Hatton 3&2.
“Dustin is the sweetest competitor,” Spieth said. “If you saw him with his daughters he’s an awesome guy. He has been the heartbeat of this team for a long time and today was our day to win.”
