Top Stories of 2008: A statement at Ryder Cup
By Bill Nichols / The Dallas Morning News
Experience is one of the most valuable assets at the Ryder Cup, where handling pressure is as important as shot-making. But for Dallas’ Anthony Kim and Plano’s Hunter Mahan, inexperience only magnified their accomplishments.
The Ryder Cup rookies took a no-fear approach onto golf’s most pressurized stage, and they showed no weaknesses. The youthful confidence displayed by Kim, 23, and Mahan, 26, sparked emotion in the usually robotic U.S. team. Playing above their years, they became the heart of captain Paul Azinger’s team, leading the United States to its first win since 1999.
Kim contributed 2 ½ points and lots of flag-waving exuberance. He was so engrossed in the team concept, he practically bodychecked England’s Ian Poulter while walking across a tee box on Saturday.
“It was like they were afraid to play him,” teammate Stewart Cink said.
Mahan made a 40-foot putt on 17 to halve his Sunday singles match against Paul Casey, finishing with a team-high 3 ½ points.
A statement had been made: Kim and Mahan have arrived.
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