Monday, September 27, 1999
'Best day of golf ever'
Leonard's putt wins Cup for U.S.
Bloomberg news service
BROOKLINE, Mass. — The United States won the Ryder Cup from two-time defending champion Europe in the greatest comeback in the history of the international team golf event.
Justin Leonard clinched the win with a 45-foot putt on the 17th hole of his match with Jose Maria Olazabal. His putt completed the Americans' comeback from a four-point
deficit.
No team had ever come back from more than a two-point deficit on the final day in the 32 previous Ryder Cups. The U.S. won this year's match 141/2-131/2 at The Country Club.
Tom Lehman, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson, Davis Love III, Tiger Woods, David Duval, Steve Pate and Jim Furyk all won their singles matches for the U.S. Leonard came back from four holes down to Olazabal, this year's Masters Tournament champion, with seven to play to clinch a tie and earn at least a half-point.
“We kept telling each other we thought we could do it, we thought we could do it,” Love said. “But until it happens, you're just talking. It's a miracle, that's what it was. It's the best day of golf ever.”
Leonard's birdie putt won the event for the U.S. when Olazabal failed to make his long putt following a wild celebration.
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