The Showdown

The Ryder Cup is one of the world's most dramatic sporting events. In 2014, the stakes were higher than ever, as the US team sought to recover from their devastating loss two years before; but the dominant European team stormed to victory, taking their tally to eight wins out of the last ten matches. In this gripping account, Iain Carter delves into the drama behind the epic battle at Gleneagles, from the appointment of the captains and the team selection, to the behind-the-scenes tensions and the thrilling action during the three days that culminated in Europe's blistering triumph. Tensions were running high in the build-up to the 2014 Ryder Cup. Following the 'Miracle' at Medinah that saw Europe take the trophy in 2012, the Americans pulled out all the stops, appointing veteran Ryder Cup hero Tom Watson as captain. Put under pressure, the Europeans bet on an outlier: Irishman Paul McGinley, a diminutive stalwart touring pro, a team man and an astute tactician. It was a fight between acumen and aura. Acumen won.On this occasion the European triumph was not miraculous; it was meticulous, the product of an extraordinarily detailed plan that rode the dramatic swings of fortune of the golfing calendar.
Since Medinah, the golfing world had not just evolved; it had turned on its head. There was a new order. The old were fading, injured, out of form, unable to maintain winning habits. The younger generation had taken over. And, when it came to the showdown, McGinley's masterplan came to fruition. Telling the inside story of an enthralling contest, this is a fascinating look at the pivotal moment that established Europe as the undisputed leaders in the Ryder Cup.