Because it's the Ryder Cup...in Minnesota! Part 5 - Sunday

I've been thinking about Sunday at the Ryder Cup all week...I wish I would have had time right after to get all of my blog posts done, but honestly, I was tired and had to get back to work and other projects waiting for me.  I'm smiling right now at the opportunity to remember such a great day.

I headed back to the Twin Cities (for the 3rd time in a week!) on Saturday afternoon to stay with my brother so we could go to the final Sunday Singles matches at the Ryder Cup being held at Hazeltine.  I spent the evening before watching what happened during the Saturday matches on Golf Channel and spent some quality time with my nieces & nephew.

Sunday morning came quickly!  The matches were not starting until 11:10am, so we headed out to catch the bus around 9:30am.  We decided to use the Southwest Metro shuttles this time because they were closer than going to Canterbury and we had a drop off and pick up crew (Thanks Kim!!).  There were quite a few people there when we arrived, but the line moved fairly quickly - they were filling the buses and had stand up riders in the aisle.  It was $5 per person, but it was worth it.

I've been thinking about Sunday at the Ryder Cup all week...I wish I would have had time right after to get all of my blog posts done, but honestly, I was tired and had to get back to work and other projects waiting for me.  I'm smiling right now at the opportunity to remember such a great day.

I headed back to the Twin Cities (for the 3rd time in a week!) on Saturday afternoon to stay with my brother so we could go to the final Sunday Singles matches at the Ryder Cup being held at Hazeltine.  I spent the evening before watching what happened during the Saturday matches on Golf Channel and spent some quality time with my nieces & nephew.

Sunday morning came quickly!  The matches were not starting until 11:10am, so we headed out to catch the bus around 9:30am.  We decided to use the Southwest Metro shuttles this time because they were closer than going to Canterbury and we had a drop off and pick up crew (Thanks Kim!!).  There were quite a few people there when we arrived, but the line moved fairly quickly - they were filling the buses and had stand up riders in the aisle.  It was $5 per person, but it was worth it.

It was a beautiful morning in Chaska and I took off my pullover almost right away.  Like Friday, when we arrived we could already hear the crowds....it was electric!!  USA needed 5 points to capture the cup and while it seems more than plausible, singles matches were a whole different animal.

We stopped at the trophy and had to take a picture - at the bottom are the two photos...I think it's safe to say who was the better photographer was!! (it's a miracle!)

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​The first group out was going to be Reed vs. McIlroy - I was already excited!!  We looked at the rest of the pairings and I was sad to see Matt Kuchar was the 11th group - knowing that we'd have to make strategic moves around the golf course to see the groups, chances were we weren't going to be staying for all 12 groups to come through.

Hazeltine was completely packed with people and JP and I made an initial plan.  We decided to head to #2 green since #1 was already packed.  We made our way up the left side and found a spot about pin high.  As we were finding a spot we ran into a golf friend and former school connection!  I laughed because the same thing happened at the PGA at Hazeltine years ago!!    I couldn't see the hole due to the undulation of the green, but I figured the crowd would tell me all I needed to know.  We met 2 nice ladies who were sitting on the rope line and we were able to get next to them.  I loved that they were committed to their spot and they asked if we would hold their spots while the went over in the shade for a bit before the groups came through.  Several of us assured them we would keep their spot.

We met some other nice folks on the other side of us - from Connecticut, Texas, and the Twin Cities area.  The sun was already making it warm and both JP and I realized this could be a potential sunburn day - our new friend from CT offered his sunscreen and we gratefully accepted.

It woudln't be long before we saw some golf and we though about our next move after #2...our first choice was #7, but i could tell by watching all the people going past us that we probably wouldn't find a great spot to watch, but that would be our first try once we decided when we'd make our move.

We could see the  players in the fairway on 2 and pretty soon approach shots were hitting the green.  Reed & McIlroy had similar length putts but both missed and halved for par.  Not surprisingly there were A LOT of people following this group, including media.  The "green people" were out in full force to monitor cell phones, too.

Folks with radios were keeping us updated on what was happening on the first hole and there was a small score board we could follow, too.

JB Holmes was the first birdie of the day and he went 2 up on Thomas Pieters after 2.  I asked my brother if we could stay until Phil and Sergio go there (Group 5) and he agreed.  As we were waiting for them to reach their drives I looked over at my brother and behind him there was a guy that looked a whole lot like Kurt Russell.  They were right behind the two older ladies and it was awesome when one of them said to him...save our place I'll be right back!  The other guy with him was right next to my brother and when he put his hand on the rope he had a big ring with a NY in diamonds...I had no idea who he was but when I looked over my brother's shoulder he was looking at me and I just smiled...and he smiled back as if he knew I knew who he was.  The guy behind me also looked at me and gave me the nod like, yep, that's him!  If only I had asked!!  

Phil and Sergio were coming so it was time to focus!  And they did not disappoint - both put their approach shots close and both birdied - who knew what an epic battle they would have the rest of the day!

We decided to head out (and so do Kurt Russell & mystery guy) and we made our way over to #7.  Groups were already coming through so again we stayed until Phil and Sergio came through.  Phil made birdie and went 1 up there.  The crowd was awesome!  We decided to make our move again and this time we were going to head to #16.  Right behind #7 green was the 11th tee box and there was Spieth & Stenson.  We watched them tee off and then found a fairway crossing.  It was looking like they weren't going to open it at first (and I wasn't really excited about the thought of working our way all the way around 11 on the outside) and then they did - YES!  We booked it across and moved over towards the middle of the course.  The 3 tee box was abandoned, but we could hear cheers so Zach Johnson must have been on #4.  

We wandered around a bit and then found our way to the right side of #16 and found that the entire side was lined with people.  We found a spot where some people had moved a picnic table right up to the rope.  I asked if I could sit for a minute (since none of the groups had gotten there yet) and they were kind enough to let me.  We met some more really nice folks and we were able to have some decent views  of the green.

There were also 2 jumbo screens where we could see what was happening on the other holes...the scoreboard was looking promising!!  Five points, it was all we needed!  The bottom half of the groups were looking Red, but they had quite a few holes to go and I think everyone was thinking that the Reed/McIlory match was going to set the tone for the day.  When they arrived at #16 Reed was one up and a birdie four to McIlory's par left him dormie going into the par-3 17th.  (Dormie is my favorite word in golf!!)

Spieth/Stenson were here next and we saw a ball go into the water and it was Jordan.  The crowd went nuts when he took off his shoes and rolled up his pants, heading down into the pond.  Spieth was 2 down coming into par-5 16th so and with Stenson on the green in 2 he was going to need some heroics to keep the match going, so in the water he went.  From where we were we didn't know what was really going on but we saw a rules official some gesturing and then before we knew it he was shaking Stenson's hand... we found out from the radio people that when he stepped in the ball moved which was a penalty.

After the hot start by JB that we saw on #2, he was 2 down to Pieters coming into the 16th and this match also went to Team Europe after a birdie by Pieters.

Next up was Fowler and Rose...tight match, all squire coming into the Par-5 the crowd went nuts when Fowler's birdie was enough to win the hole and go 1 up!

I should note here that as each player was walking up to the green the gallery sectioned off and yelled Red (us on the right side)   White (the grandstand)   Blue (left side over by the pond) - it was maybe one of my favorite parts of the whole day - it was AWESOME!!

The Walker/Cabrera Bello group was next...Walked yanked his second shot left of the pond into the gallery (we never even saw the shot).  It took them awhile to get thing situated and was able to get it on the green, but Walker ended up bogeying and he lost 3 &2.

At this time I think we figured it was 11 1/2- 9 1/2 USA but Brooks Koepka was about to close his match 5&4 and Zach Johnson was looking good, too!  We could feel the excitement!!  Phil and Sergio were next...again, unbeknownst to us, this match had been a battle all day - Phil was 1 up coming to 16, but he wasn't able to convert his birdie and Sergio did so they were all square going into 17.  

Ryan Moore and Lee Westwood were next and Westwood had just won the last 2 holes to go 2 up...Moore needed to dig deep and he put it on the green in 2 for a chance at eagle...coming down the rough line by us was Patrick Reed (who won his match against McIlory 1 up on the last hole!) to offer up some support - and then it happened - EAGLE!!  Crowd = crazy!!  USA USA USA!!

Now all of us in our group in the gallery are trying to figure out where we are...

Snedeker was playing against Andy Sullivan (who we never really heard about all week!) and he was 2 up coming to 16 - they both birded, but Sneds was able to birdie #17 to win his match!

The Ryder Cup math was telling us that we only need 1 more point to win now - Dustin was coming down 16 2-up for a chance to win it...Moore was now on 18 all square with Westwood after winning 17 with a birdie, and Zach Johnson was back on 14 3-up - all of them with the chance to get the 15th point and capture the cup!!

DJ was on the green and I was video taping it on my phone - with my brother being commentator - with Team USA winning the cup here if Dustin makes his putt...and then he didn't.  The collective groan escaped from many of us, but DJ was still 1 up heading to 17.

The jumbo screen put Moore up for us on #18 and he had 2 putts to win the hole and the match - he left it a bit short, but Westwood gave Moore the putt and that was it - we had done it!!!  USA just won the Ryder Cup!!!
We all burst out into USA USA USA...and then I realized Matt Kuchar was coming!!

While we could have started to head out, JP knew I had waited all day for this and we were able to get right up on the rope to see him hit - Kuchar had of course figured out that USA had won so I'm not sure what impact that had on his match with Martin Kaymer.  After being 3-up early, Kuchar was now 1 down coming into 16.  He stuffed one close (he laid up) but wasn't able to win another hole and lost 1 down.

And since Zach was able to close out his match on 15, after Matt, it was done on 16.
There were cheers still coming from other parts of the golf course and my brother and I took a second to cheer ourselves - we hugged because we won and we hugged because we got to be a part of it all!!

As we figured out how to get back to the Merchandise tent we both knew we wanted to get something to drink.  We found a beverage station and, interestingly, they had stopped selling alcohol...I'm not sure why...but needless to say there were some unhappy people who wanted to celebrate!!

We made it back but found out the merchandise tent was temporarily closed as they were reloading some items.  The natives were getting restless!!  We finally got in, and because I was returning something I got an express checkout to do an exchange - it was awesome!!  Of course I spent more than my exchange, but it was great!  I wish I would have gotten one of the USA hats, but we didn't see them.

Since I made it through the line faster than JP I got to hear some of the closing ceremonies - I couldn't believe all the people who stayed!  Very cool.  But it had been a day, A WEEK, and I think both of us were ready for a little rest.

After our journey through the tent we headed to the buses - come to find out EVERYONE was going to the same drop off station as we were!  The signage wasn't great for us, but we eventually got there.  Once again we met some nice people in the bus line and Chad from Buffalo gave me 2 Ryder Cup tees!!  Thanks Chad!!  

I think I smiled the entire time on the bus - even though we ended up being some of the "standers" - I will say a very nice man offered to give me his seat, but I figured I could make it.  We won the Ryder Cup!!

Kim and the kids were there within about 2 minutes of us getting there so we were on the road back home in no time.  We cheered USA in the car, too!!  I had never been so excited to take my shoes off when we got home and then I came to the realization that I felt awful.  My original plan of driving home that night was not going to happen.  Kim came through for me with a heating pad (and a great dinner!), and after some pain relievers I was ready for bed.

As I laid there, my brain was still in overdrive!!  There was still so much to think about!  But overall, my gratefulness for it all - the plan, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, and even Saturday - just washed all over me.

THANK YOU Team USA and Team Europe!!!  It was more than I could have ever imagined!!
THANK YOU to the fans, bus line friends, merchandise line friends,, and everyone who was "the 13th man"!!!
THANK YOU to Jeff, Deb, John, Kim & the kids - it was amazing!!
THANK YOU Hazeltine, the bus drivers, the volunteers, and all of my friends who followed along with me!!
THANK YOU to Greg from WI for the Steve Stricker Photos  - to Nate & Rick for the Friday Tickets - to Greg for the Sunday tickets!!
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Thanks for reading!!

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