The Spirit of Seve

Well, the Ryder Cup of 2012 has already been dubbed the 'Miracle at Medinah'. Despite looking down and out on Saturday afternoon, the Europeans roared back from 10-4 down to win 7 points on the trot before Martin Kaymer edged out the 14th point to ensure the Ryder Cup was retained. Franceso Molinari's half vs Tiger in the final match was the icing on the cake as Europe finished the series 14.5 - 13.5.

This really was the greatest sporting come back of living memory. The American's were in imperious form all week winning games on the 15th and 16th greens, while it seems that all of Europe's opening 6 points were squeezed out clinging on down the last with pressure putts.

While the American's came back from 10-6 down to win the Cup at Brookline in 1999, this European victory was all the more impressive given they were away from home. Indeed all week it seems the American's had the pace of the greens, holing many more putts than the Europeans and using home advantage to build their, seemingly, unassailable lead.

However should the Miracle at Medinah be renamed the Spirit of Seve? This was the 1st Ryder Cup since Seve's death last year and the team, led by Seve's friend & countryman Jose Maria Olazabal, honoured Seve with his image on their bags and by wearing his familiar navy blue and white for Sunday's singles. It seemed that all European players had mentioned Seve's name in the run up to the event and it was certain he was never far from European thoughts.

But could the improbable come back be down to Seve's spirit actually helping Europe overcome the deficit and win the cup? When you think of the chain of events that had to happen for Europe to win from 10-4 down, it seems likely that a higher power must have been at work;

•  Poulter making 5 birdies in the final 5 holes to ensure he and McIrloy won the final match on Saturday and cut the defecit to 10-6. 
• Poulter then again turning his match round from 2 down on Sunday to win his point in the singles. 
• Rory McIlroy confusing his Sunday tee time and only making it to the course with 10 minutes to spare, yet still winning his match against Keegan Bradley. 
• Justin Rose, 1 down with 2 to play, holing 'that' putt on 17 to square the match, then beating in form Mickelson down the last to win a point from his match that seemed most improbable. 
• Sergio Garcia turning his match around winning holes 17 & 18 against Jim Furyk to gain yet another European point. 
• America's top 5 players losing their singles. Both teams were front loaded, but US form players, Bradley, Mickelson, Simpson, Watson and Snedeker were all out 1st to seemingly 'ensure' victory and all lost!
• Out of form Kaymer winning his match to retain the cup. While his oppononet Steve Stricker wasn't in the best of form either, Kaymer almost considered pulling out of the event so worried was he about his form. He then only played 1 match in the 1st two days as he and Rose lost a fourball on Friday evening. But the big German found some inspiration to win his match down the last and ensure the cup was retained. 
• Tiger playing that badly. I know the Ryder Cup is hardly his favourite event, but for Tiger to get only half a point from 4 matches seems poor even for him. At one stage, his match looked to be crucial, but by the time he teed off on 18, Kaymer had already gained Europe's 14th point. Tiger then admitted he didn't give the 18th hiw full attention as it didn't matter by then. 

While there were obviously a host of other close matches and points won on the final day, any of these on their own are possible, and a combination of any two, no more than 'improbable'. But when you put all of the events together, such a chain reaction was surely close to impossible. This brings me to the question again, was the Spirit of Seve responsible for the turnaround?

Now, even though I don't really believe in ghosts, I have to say YES! The Spirit of the late Spanish golfer, Seve Ballesteros, was responsible for Europe's Ryder Cup victory. Of course, no one can prove of disprove this and people will have their own theories as to whether spirits exist, but the fact that Captain Olazabal convinced 12 guys playing golf in Chigago on the final Sunday of September,  2012 that Seve was really there watching over them, well this was enough to make his spirit real and guide Europe to victory.

Whatever was the cause, it was pure theatre and sporting drama at its best. In short, it was the reason we watch sport!