1999 - torrance fumes as americans reign
Sam Torrance feels the pain of defeat.
Following the first contest on European soil at Valderrama, the American team were determined to regain the trophy at Brookline. In front of a hostile crowd - whose abuse of Colin Montgomerie forced his father James to leave the course - Europe built up a 10-6 lead by relying heavily on their star names; three pairings playing all four matches while Padraig Harrington and Jose Maria Olazabal took turns to partner Miguel Angel Jimenez. That meant no experience for rookies Jean van de Velde, Jarmo Sandelin and Andrew Coltart, who all lost their singles as the Americans won the first six matches on Sunday. The atmosphere worsened with Coltart directed by marshals to look for his ball in the wrong place as he battled with Tiger Woods, and it all boiled over on the 17th green. Justin Leonard, four down with seven to play, holed a massive birdie putt which sparked riotous celebrations from his team-mates and supporters, who ran across the green even though Olazabal still had a putt to halve the hole. Vice-captain Sam Torrance described it as the 'most disgusting thing I have ever seen on a golf course' and the repercussions were felt for months to come, overshadowing the American team's superb fightback.
