garcia fires european dreams
Garcia - European inspiration.
By Harry Emanuel
It has been a fantastic performance by the European Team over the first two days. They have dominated every session for the first time in history wining each one by 2 ½ -1 ½. So complete has been their domination of this Ryder Cup that if anything they should have more than a four-point lead. Europe's successful start is the result of a team effort. The entire team have played at least two matches and contributed to the score line in some manner. Yet it is impossible not to single out the efforts of Sergio Garcia. He has been nothing short of inspirational. Teaming up with first Jose Maria Olazabal and then Luke Donald he has scored maximum points. He has taken big American scalps in the process beating Woods once and Mickelson twice making his tally even more impressive. The Ryder Cup is all about momentum from session to session and day to day. At the beginning of the week Tom Lehman said: "The first five holes are the most important." The European team started strongly in each session and built a momentum that the Americans have found impossible to counteract. Every time the Americans have looked like gaining any ground they have been cut off in their tracks and kept firmly on the back foot. Many people will remember Brookline in 1999 when the Americans came back from the same deficit to win. This is no Brookline this is a home event at the K Club. Woosnam admitted to having doubts about Sunday and Lehman believes his team can play "inspirational golf tomorrow". It is imperative that the American team get ahead quickly in the singles if they are to have any chance. Tom Lehman has put out a strong line up in the first five places and then his four rookies hoping any early momentum will rub off and inspire them. Even if the Americans did get off to a great start Woosnam has built a team high on confidence. Most of the players are in excellent form and they will be strong enough to resist any American charge. Lehman has failed to get the best out of his top players and under utilised the lesser names like JJ Henry, who have been in better form. The American team are simply not playing well enough to make a comeback of this nature. Darren Clarke has already got the Cohiba's out. It is too early to celebrate as they still need four and a half points but with Irishmen involved in matches six and seven I wouldn't bet against one of them holing the winning putt.
