The United States ended an era of Ryder Cup frustration with a resounding victory over Europe, the gold chalice reclaimed by a disparate group of players and their new coach. The Americans led from start to finish at Valhalla Golf Club and aggressively pursued a big win after losing three in a row and five of the last six Ryder Cups to the Europeans. “I never tried to think about what the outcome might be, and I started to dream about it a little bit today, thinking this could actually happen,” Azinger said with the shiny gold trophy at his side. “It just feels great to have it back on our soil.” The Americans didn't need a miracle putt or an amazing comeback like their last victory in 1999. They didn't even need Tiger Woods. Thy rode the emotion of a flag-waving crowd Sunday to take back the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory, their biggest margin over Europe in 27 years. This Ryder Cup was all about role reversal. “Their team was more of a European team,” European player Padraig Harrington said. It was the Americans who played as a team, with Azinger splitting them into three pods of personalities and keeping them together from the time they arrived at Valhalla. The biggest putts belonged to the Americans, whether it was Hunter Mahan making one from 60 feet across the 17th green or Kentucky native Kenny Perry making just about everything in the defining moment of his career. They even found someone to rattle Sergio Garcia. Anthony Kim, who refused to concede anything, revved up the crowd and handed Europe's best Ryder Cup player his biggest loss. European captain Nick Faldo will face harsh criticism at home. The British press blistered him for sitting out Garcia and Lee Westwood - the most successful European pair - on Saturday, the first time either of them had ever missed a match in the Ryder Cup. Even more peculiar was putting three of his strongest players at the bottom of Sunday's singles lineup - Ian Poulter, Westwood and Harrington. The Ryder Cup was decided as their matches were in progress. Their points never had a chance to matter. “I'm disappointed for the guys,” Faldo said. “We've all given 100 percent. I will decide how long I wish to think about it.” Faldo at least was vindicated by taking Englishman Poulter, who had only two top 10 finishes all year. The brash Englishman was the only European to play all five matches and went 4-1, tying the record for most points by a European captain's pick set last time by Westwood. Even so, the biggest surprise was Europe's best players. Garcia and Westwood failed to win a match for the first time in the Ryder Cup. Harrington, coming off a summer in which he won the British Open and PGA Championship, has gone nine consecutive matches without winning. For all the birdies and spectacular shots over three inspirational days at Valhalla, the Ryder Cup ended with a handshake. Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain conceded a short par putt, giving Jim Furyk the victory and the Americans the 14 1/2 points they needed to show they can win on golf's biggest stage - and without Woods, out for the year with a knee surgery but staying involved by text messaging Azinger throughout the final day. “I've been on the other side when they made the winning putt and it's no fun” Furyk said. “I had a pretty rotten look on my face during this press conference. And now, I'm pretty damn happy.” The 48-year-old Perry, who dreamed of playing a Ryder Cup before a home crowd, delivered a 3-and-2 victory that was part of an early push that swung momentum toward the US team. “I figured this was going to define my career,” he said. “But you know what? It made my career.” J.B. Holmes, another Kentucky native, showed off his awesome power with two final birdies that set up the Americans for victory. Kim set the tone with a 30 on the front nine that demoralized Garcia. Weekley galloped off the first tee using his driver as a toy horse, drawing laughter for his antics and cheers for his five birdies and an eagle he holed from the bunker. Mahan, who criticized the Ryder Cup earlier this year as a money-making machine, was the only player to go all five matches without losing at Valhalla. His match was the only one to reach the 18th green, all because of a 60-foot birdie putt from Mahan that slammed into the back of the cup on the 17th hole. He wound up with a halve against Paul Casey, and a new appreciation for this event. Ben Curtis and Chad Campbell, the final player picked for this US team, won the final two matches against England's Lee Westwood and Harrington of Ireland for a lopsided score that for the last three years had been posted in European blue. Perhaps no one made a greater impact on the US victory than Azinger. It was his idea to overhaul the qualifying system, which he felt was keeping the Americans from fielding their best team. He also doubled his captain's picks, and those four players produced one-third of the points. “I poured my heart and soul into this for two years,” Azinger said, his voice cracking. “The players poured their heart and soul into this for one week. They deserved it. I couldn't be happier.” – AP __
