What an amazing turnaround. The American team shook off a shaky start and rode a fantastic finish to beat Garcia, one of the best in Team Europe history, and the two-time Major champion Kaymer. After bogeying the first two holes, Walker and Johnson played the next 14 in five under, winning the last five holes to erase a one-down deficit. Johnson provided the clinching putt, draining an 18-footer for birdie. The teams halved nine consecutive holes before Johnson started the closing streak with a six-foot par putt to win the 12th.
[inline-video]
KEY MOMENT: While it’s easy to focus on the finish, Johnson told Golf Channel’s Roger Maltibe afterward the turning point came on the ninth a demanding 475-yard par four. The American side were one and Garcia holed a 11-footer for par. Walker answered with a ten-footer that lipped in on the high side, enabling the Americans to remain within striking distance and set up the birdie run that put another American flag on the scoreboard.
THEY SAID IT: “The day just kind of kept building. I was really nervous starting out, hit some squirrelly shots and Zach kept us going and were able to get into a rhythm. - Walker
“Jimmy and I are good friends. I don’t care where he hits it. He doesn’t care where I hit it. For us, it’s all about the team. Execution becomes easy. There’s freedom involved when you don’t care where your partner hits it. The outcome of the shot is irrelevant. We’re just gonna keep fightin’.” - Johnson
