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Monty's Ryder Cup 2004


© SCRAN

Captain Bernhard Langer paired him with Padraig Harrington and they won twice on the first day to set the wheels in motion. Day two, although less successful for the partnership, was not a disaster as things had been going so well for Europe, Monty – the oldest member of the team - could afford to sit out the afternoon foursomes at his own request.

On the final day European knees wobbled and the familiar feeling of a possible epic comeback from the Americans began to take hold.

The scoreboard had turned to red, with the U.S.A leading in most of the final match ups. Montgomerie however, wasn't in the mood to lose and sank a confidence boosting birdie on the first hole against David Toms.

The scoreboard then began to fade from a dangerous red towards a calm tide of blue which eventually swept Europe to their third Ryder Cup victory on American Soil.


	© SNSpix

Not once did Monty fall behind against Toms, and it was fated that he was the man charged with holing the decisive putt.

The perfect ending to one of the most one-sided Ryder Cups ever played. Monty may not now be the routinely dogged competitor he once was - and he may never win that Major - but when it comes to the Ryder Cup, to Scotland and to Europe, he is a true great.

Written by: Robert Thomson

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