Wales, U.K. – Reported by Elite Traveler, the Private Jet Lifesstyle Magazine
The European golf team, notably comprising four Audemars Piguet ambassadors – Lee Westwood, Rory Mcllroy, Graeme McDowell and Miguel Ángel Jiménez – has won the 2010 Ryder Cup, thereby bringing back to Europe the prestigious trophy it lost on the other side of the Atlantic two years ago. Europe beat the American team by 14.5 points to 13.5.
After Friday’s torrential rains and the poor Sunday morning conditions on the Celtic Manor course, the Ryder Cup organizers had to postpone the singles matches to Monday. Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell scored 2.5 points each, and Rory Mcllroy and Miguel Ángel Jiménez 2 points apiece.
It was during the third session on Sunday that Team Europe gained the edge it was able to maintain right through to the final victory, by scoring 5.5 out of the maximum possible 6 points. Englishman Lee Westwood, partnered by Luke Donald, caused the sensation of the day by beating Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker 6&5. The Ryder Cup had not witnessed such a heavy loss in a foursome (two against two, one ball per team) in 15 years. Despite the six successive matches the American pair had won prior to this event, there was simply no stopping Westwood who displayed scintillating form that included a fabulous over 12-meter putt.
In the other foursome, Northern Irishmen Graeme McDowell and Rory McIllroy saw off Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan. Mcllroy’s decisive birdie at the 17th hole sparked thunderous applause, bringing Europe level at 6 to 6 after trailing the Americans at the close of the two first sessions.
It was Graeme McDowell, winner of the last US Open and of the Wales Open held on the Celtic Manor course in early June, who clinched victory for the European delegation in the last of the 12 singles matches that were played on Monday. Despite the considerable pressure, McDowell appeared particularly relaxed during his contest against Hunter Mahan and kept a steady hand to score a birdie on the 16th hole and seal the win with a three-point lead at the 17th and penultimate hole (3&1).
Audemars Piguet CEO Philippe Merk saluted the four golfers’ admirable performance in these terms: “Throughout the tournament, they showed considerable game skills, peerless expertise and a magnificent team spirit.”
Brand ambassadors Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy and Miguel Ángel Jiménez, also have something else in common, since they are all particularly keen devotees of haute horlogerie and proudly wear Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore watches. These collections embody a perfect combination of elegance, excellence and strength, qualities that Audemars Piguet particularly appreciates in its ambassadors. Over the coming weeks and around the world, they will continue to represent the brand by wearing exceptional creations from Audemars Piguet.