Price makes the BBC Wales Sports Personality shortlist for one day of golf in a long season - but what a day it was!

The player ranked 119 in the world stunned the golfing fraternity by taking the scalp of world number two Phil Mickelson, a result that proved central to Europe's famous Ryder Cup win at the Belfry.

The Pontypridd swinger finished third in last year's Welsh Sports Personality ceremony after consistent performances forced him into the Ryder Cup squad, but the weight of that achievement hung heavy on the 35-year-old.

Journalists questioned whether he should be allowed to take up his place in the team as his form slumped horribly ahead of the biggest showdown on the golfing calendar.

Price was sneered at as a nearly man whose record boasted just two tournament wins, and whose CV heralded him as 'Pontypridd's Man of the Year 1997.'

However, there was never any doubt in captain Sam Torrance's mind that - should Europe wish to triumph over the United States - it had to be done as a team.

Price was given his Ryder debut in the Saturday fourballs, but despite a brave start he and Pierre Fulke fell to defeat.

The teams were tied going into Sunday's singles and the smart money sauntered on the backs of the American stars, expected to blast Europe's no-namers out of the water.

Torrance took a gambler's throw and went for the win early on, loading the top of his order with the big hitters from the European team.

They delivered in spades, but USA captain Curtis Strange had done the opposite with his line-up and the leading names in world golf were there to close out the day for the States. The deciding points would need to be eaked out by the rookies.

Price took an early lead against the fancied Mickelson, but the stylish San Diegan remained confident - until the sixth hole.

The Welshman looked out of it before hitting an eight iron from the rough to within two feet and holing for a birdie.

Mickelson was left with a three-footer to win the hole, which a gritty Price refused to concede.

The world number two - famed for having one of the best putting strokes in the business - collapsed under the pressure and missed a sitter.

Mickelson was never the same and Price proceeded to beat him like a gong. A 25-foot putt on the 16th sealed a famous 3&2 win that set Europe up for the overall victory.

A crestfallen Mickelson said: "Phil seemed to have an answer for everything and played great."

It was a match of pure theatre to rank with the greatest days for Welsh golf.