• Ryder Cup

McDowell relieved to overcome 'crazy pressure'

ESPN staff
October 4, 2010
Graeme McDowell was too good for Hunter Mahan © PA Photos
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Graeme McDowell admitted he felt "crazy" levels of pressure before he held his nerve to defeat Hunter Mahan and hand Europe the Ryder Cup victory.

In one of the most tense Ryder Cup finishes in the tournament's history, the destination of the trophy hinged on the result of the last singles match between McDowell and Mahan.

It was US Open winner McDowell who emerged the 3&1 victor, in the process helping Europe to a 14 ½-13 ½ win that allowed Colin Montgomerie's men to regain the Ryder Cup.

Afterwards, the Ulsterman dedicated the European victory to Ryder Cup legend Seve Ballesteros. "This is crazy," added McDowell. "I was trying to do it for 11 team-mates, for all the fans, for the caddies, for Europe and for Monty - and we were all trying to win it for Seve too.

"The back nine at Pebble Beach [the US Open] felt like a back nine playing with my dad at Royal Portrush. It's so much pressure and this is a special feeling - there's nothing quite like it.

"Monty was amazing. For the last two years he has been up for this."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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