The United States holds on for a 16.5 to 11.5 win to defeat Europe for
first time since 1999 at the 37th Ryder Cup.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 21, 2008) (TWI)

An upbeat United States team inspired by rookie Anthony Kim won
the Ryder Cup for the first time in nine years by beating Europe on Sunday
(September 21).
Kim crushed Sergio Garcia 5&4 in the top encounter to set the tone
for the Americans before Jim Furyk secured the decisive point with a 2&1
victory over Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez at a sun-drenched Valhalla Golf
Club.
Azinger was hugged by his opposite number Nick Faldo shortly after
Furyk was conceded a short par putt by Jimenez at the 17th to give the
Americans 14-1/2 points.
Kim, 23, delivered a sparkling display against an off-key Garcia to
trigger a rousing U.S. start on the final day.
He birdied three of the first four holes to take an early grip before
Garcia lost the sixth hole after taking an unplayable lie off the tee.
The Spaniard then dumped two shots into the water guarding the front of
the seventh green to slip three behind.
Kim also won the 12th before setting up another birdie with an approach
to five feet at the 13th to forge five up. After draining an eight-foot par
putt to seal victory on the 14th green, he pumped his right fist in
celebration.
Europe won the next two points, Swede Robert Karlsson hammering Justin
Leonard 5&3 and Britain's Justin Rose holing an 18-footer to birdie the
16th for a 3&2 win against Phil Mickelson.
Moments later, Hunter Mahan halved a tight match with Britain's Paul
Casey before the Americans won the next four encounters to cross the finishing
line.
Kentucky native Kenny Perry outplayed Swede Henrik Stenson 3&2 and
Boo Weekley, a crowd favourite all week at Valhalla, holed out from a bunker
to eagle the par-five seventh on his way to a 4&2 victory against
Britain's Oliver Wilson.
Big-hitting Kentuckian JB Holmes knocked in a two-footer to birdie the
17th for a 2&1 win over Dane Soren Hansen, leaving Furyk to take centre
stage by beating Jimenez.