Ryder Cup: Players reflect on ‘unbelievable’ comeback

EUROPE staged a remarkable comeback to retain the Ryder Cup last night, battling from 10-6 down overnight - having trailed 10-4 - to beat the United States 14 1/2-13 1/2 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

This is what some of the key figures had to say:

“There was a buzz in the team room last night that didn’t feel like we had a four-point deficit. For some reason, everyone was calm. Everyone was cracking jokes. We just felt we had that tiny little chance and the boys have proved it today and made history. It has been unbelievable” - European hero Ian Poulter, who won four points out of four.

“We have actually revised the qualification for next time. It’s nine (qualifying) spots, two picks and Poults. It’s the Poults clause” - Lee Westwood reflects on Poulter’s remarkable performance.

“I’m officially taking two years off and I’ll see you at the next one” - Poulter again.

“The start of the week was a tough one. Nothing went our way, but these guys kept on believing, and I’m sure that not just the silhouette, but the phone call Seve made last time at Celtic Manor in 2010 and all the images of Seve around the clubhouse, the locker room and things like that, kept that spirit alive. So it’s not just me. I think these guys did it also for him” - Europe captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

“I have no doubt in my mind that he was with me today all day, because there’s no chance I would have won my match if he wasn’t there” - Sergio Garcia, who won the last two holes to claim a crucial win over Jim Furyk, on the influence of the late Seve Ballesteros.

“All men die but not all men live and you made me feel alive again this week” - an emotional Olazabal thanks his team, referencing his great friend Ballesteros.

“That is something that I will remember probably for the rest of my life and hopefully I can talk about when I have some grandchildren one day” - Martin Kaymer, who holed the putt that ensured Europe would retain the trophy.

“I read the tee times on my phone and they are obviously on Eastern time and it’s Central time here. I was just casually strolling out of my hotel room when I got a phone call saying you have 25 minutes” - Rory McIlroy explains the timing blunder which saw him arrive at the course 10 minutes before the start of his singles match against Keegan Bradley.

“It was already over. We came here as a team - this is a team event. And the cup had already been retained by Europe, so it was already over. You come here as a team and you win or lose as a team, and it’s pointless to even finish. So 18 was just, hey, get this over with” - Tiger Woods, who conceded the 18th hole to Francesco Molinari ending any chance of the United States at least claiming a 14-14 tie.

“I wouldn’t have done anything different. They played great. They did everything we asked them to do, and I can honestly say that I’ve been a part of a lot of teams and I’ve never seen a team of golfers like this, and I’m proud of them” - US captain Davis Love.