• Ryder Cup

Europe dedicate victory to Seve

ESPN staff
October 5, 2010
Graeme McDowell: 'This win is definitely for [Seve]' © PA Photos
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Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell dedicated Europe's narrow victory to former captain Seve Ballesteros.

Ballesteros captained Europe to victory at Valderrama in 1997, having starred in eight Ryder Cups as a player. The five-time major winner was not present at Celtic Manor as he continues to recover from cancer, but he delivered an inspirational speech to the players last week.

"Every one of my team learned what the Ryder Cup meant to Seve when we spoke to him on the eve of the matches, and they will all tell you it was one of the highlights of the week," European captain Colin Montgomerie said. "He fired up the team and we wanted to win it for him.'

And McDowell, who clinched a narrow 14½-13½ victory after holding off Hunter Mahan in the final match, admitted he was feeling the pressure on the final fairway.

"Coming down the final hole I was thinking about my team-mates, I was thinking about Monty and the fans - and I was also thinking about Seve. This win is most definitely for him," McDowell said.

Ballesteros congratulated the team via a post on his website, hailing a 'sweet' victory. He said: "Congratulations Europe! What a magnificent event! Great Ryder Cup!"

"It was very exciting until the last minute. I have enjoyed watching great golf from both sides. As I said on Thursday, the more difficult it is to win, the sweeter victory tastes. I'm sure all the players and European supporters are enjoying it. Well done Europe!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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