BBC SPORT | Golf | Ryder Cup | Price plays his part



By Sean Martin BBC Sport Online at The Belfry

Phillip Price should think about giving his sports pyschologist a bonus.

The Welshman, ranked 119 in the world, pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Ryder Cup history to end Phil Mickelson's unbeaten singles record.

Price snatches shock win

Mickelson, the second best player in the world, was expected to overwhelm the 35-year-old from Pontypridd in the 11th singles match.

Price seemed to have an answer every time I hit a good shot - every time I knocked it close, he followed it up

Phil Mickelson

But Price, who credits his stronger mental approach to his 10-year association with sports psychologist Alan Fine, obviously had not read the script.

With no notice of the yawning gulf in reputations, yet alone ability, Price kept his nerve and his solid putting stroke to beat Mickelson 3&2 and give Europe a crucial point and help put one hand on the trophy.

In doing so he went around without making a bogey, but sinking five birdies.

Nothing in his career to that point had indicated he was capable of producing such a performance.

Up until three years ago, he had been a journeyman of the circuit after turning professional, save for victory in the 1994 Portuguese Open.

Sam Torrance
Torrance could only marvel at Price's win

He then made a conscious decision to shed the under-achieving tag and it went from around his neck in 2000 with a solid, if not spectacular, year.

He finished runner-up on four occasions before claiming victory in the 2001 Algarve Open de Portugal that helped him into the final qualifying spot for the Ryder Cup.

In the Majors, his best result had been a tie for 30th at The Open in 2001.

His Ryder Cup debut at The Belfry came against Mickelson and David Toms in the foursomes on Saturday when he was paired with Pierre Fulke.

He played well over the opening 12 holes - with his putter working especially well - before wayward driving over the final six holes cost his team dearly.

Euro rookies suffer

But despite the 2&1 defeat, Price was confident Europe had what it took to take the singles.

"I think our singles line-up is a lot stronger than a lot of people realise.

"More guys are in form than a lot of people realise," he said prophetically on Saturday.

And Mickelson did not underestimate the threat posed by his grey-haired oppponent.

Debutants found wanting

"I played against him earlier in the week and he was playing fabulous, and making a bunch of putts. I knew he was going to putt well.

"He seemed to have an answer every time I hit a good shot. Every time I knocked it close, he followed it up."

For Torrance's European team, the Price was right.


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