This argument could go on forever. Everyone has their favorites....and everyone is different.
The Ryder Cup was on this weekend.....and to quote my brother Tippy, The Ryder Cup was "Sport at its finest". How do we determine that though. What makes it a great event. I know all lot of you might not even like golf...i can live with that (sort of) - but the Ryder Cup between the USA and Europe this past weekend was about as compelling a sports show can get on TV. It was phenomenal.
I won't bore you with all the details, those of you interested already know, those of you not, probably don't care. (the shame - ha)
Quick Summary - Team USA was favoured to win.....they were up 10 - 6 over Team Europe going into Sunday's 12 singles matches, an insurmountable task....only ever been done once before.
Well, the unthinkable happened and Team Europe came back and won the Ryder Cup by a score of 14.5 - 13.5.
Now back to my original question about what makes an "event" special to watch. I think it has to be a combination of things to make it perfect.
Here is my list to make an event special - using this years Ryder Cup. (Specifically Sunday)
1 - The Competition
The Ryder Cup is about as competitive as it gets. The Ryder Cup has been competed for since 1927. The rivalry that has built up over the Years between team USA and team Europe is second to none. They have enormous respect for each other, but quite frankly...winning this cup is more important than any thing that these golfers do. Bragging rights are huge- and the fans are even worse.
2 - Starpower
The 24 golfers in the Ryder Cup representing both teams are all in the top 36 golfers in the World Golf Rankings. Top five golfers in the World right now are Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose....all playing in the Ryder Cup.
3 - Drama
Like I said, going into Sunday's final, Team Europe was behind 10 - 6. - They needed 8 points on Sunday to win the cup, most said it was impossible.
4 - Intensity
It is a huge understatement to say that these guys are intense....but like every great event, there is always one athlete that takes the intensity to a whole new level, the focus and gut that makes it special to watch. This year my vote (and everyone else give that award to Ian Poulter from Team Europe. His heroics on Saturday afternoon - making 5 birdies on the last 5 holes, most of them long putts...was to me, very special to see. It was amazing, and I think ranks in the top 5 of great sports moments ever. It was crazy.
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| Ian Poulter |
To make an event special, unfortunately you need some heartbreak and the USA had a lot of it on Sunday. One of the memorable heart break moments was when Jim Furyk missed a makeable putt on the 18th whole to lose a critical match. I like Jim, I felt for him....but this is the type of thing that has to happen when a big comeback is under way.
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| Jim Furyk can't believe it.
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Every Special event needs a hero. Team Europe had many heroes on Sunday, I mentioned Ian Poulter of course, but on Sunday, the standout hero has to be Martin Kaymer who had a 6 foot putt on the 18th hole to win the cup. He rolled it into the centre of the cup....and victory was theirs.
7 - Emotions.
Finally what is an incredible event without emotion. Jose Maria Olazabal was definitely the emotional leader for Team Europe. He was the captain, and never gave up on his guys. He dedicated the Ryder Cup to his long time friend Seve Ballesteros who died last year of a brain tumour. Team Europe had his image emblazoned on their golf bags. Seve was a Ryder Cup legend.
If you combine these 7 items for any sporting event, I promise it will be amazing.
Congratulations Team Europe on a great 2012 Ryder Cup Victory.
Yesterday I putted like an American Ryder Cupper and sometimes had the focus of a Buffalo Bills defensive player. None of that is good. Ollie
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