Hunter Mahan won more points than any other American and was a great player throughout the week teaming up with Justin Leonard and Phil Mickelson early in the tournament.

Boo Weekley was another integral player for the Americans as he kept the team loose and played terrific golf all week.  J. B. Holmes had the hometown fans on his side as he blasted drives and picked up 2.5 points as the Captain’s pick didn’t lose a match all week.

They said the American team was young, inexperienced and heavy underdogs to the European team that boasted Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia.  But, outside of Ian Poulter, the Europeans didn’t have an answer for the young talent of the American squad that rekindled America’s passion for the Ryder Cup.

Sunday’s match recap (bold clinching match):

• Anthony Kim beat Sergio Garcia 5&4
• Hunter Mahan tied Paul Casey
• Robert Karlsson beat Justin Leonard 5&3
• Justin Rose beat Phil Mickelson 3&2
• Kenny Perry beat Henrik Stenson 3&2
• Boo Weekley beat Oliver Wilson 4&2
• J. B. Holmes beat Soren Hansen
• Jim Furyk beat Miguel Angel Jimenez 2&1
• Graeme McDowell beat Stewart Cink 2&1
• Ian Poulter beat Steve Stricker 3&2
• Ben Curtis beat Lee Westwood 2&1
• Chad Campbell beat Padraig Harrington 2&1

The morning matches saw the pair of Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim jump out to an early lead (up four after six holes) but the European team of Henrik Stenson and Oliver Wilson fought back to take the match 2&1.  Chad Campbell and Stewart Cink were never really in their match against Ian Poulter and Justin Rose as the Europeans won 4&3.  Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry won a point as they defeated Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson 3&1.  Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan halved Miguel Angel Jimenez and Graeme McDowell.

The afternoon matches ended up even with each team taking a match and halving the other two.  Boo Weekley and J. B. Holmes beat Lee Westwood and Hansen 2&1.  Poulter and McDowell beat Perry and Furyk one up.  Ben Curtis and Steve Stricker played even to Sergio Garcia and Paul Casey as did the match between Mickelson/Mahan versus Stenson/Karlsson.

Singles matches will decide the champion.  Here are the match ups for Sunday:

• Anthony Kim v. Sergio Garcia
• Hunter Mahan v. Paul Casey
• Justin Leonard v. Robert Karlsson
• Phil Mickelson v. Justin Rose
• Kenny Perry v. Henrik Stenson
• Boo Weekley v. Oliver Wilson
• J. B. Holmes v. Soren Hansen
• Jim Furyk v. Miguel Angel Jimenez
• Stewart Cink v. Graeme McDowell
• Steve Stricker v. Ian Poulter
• Ben Curtis v. Lee Westwood
• Chad Campbell v. Padraig Harrington

In the morning matches, Phil Mickelson paired with Anthony Kim for a great comeback half over Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson.  Mickelson/Kim were down three after 12 holes.  Justin Leonard and Hunter Mahan beat Henrik Stenson and Paul Casey 3&2 for the first American win.  Stewart Cink and Chad Campbell beat Justin Rose and Ian Poulter 1-up.  Kenny Perry and Jim Furyk halved Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia.

The afternoon matches had Mickelson/Kim facing off against Harrington and Graeme McDowell.  Off five Mickelson birdies, the American team won 2-up.  Poulter/Rose beat Steve Stricker and Ben Curtis 3&2 for the first European win.  Leonard/Mahan beat Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez 4&3.  J. B. Holmes and Boo Weekley halved their match against Westwood and Soren Hansen.

Saturday morning pairings are as follows:

• Stewart Cink / Chad Campbell v. Ian Poulter / Justin Rose
• Justin Leonard / Hunter Mahan v. Miguel Angel Jimenez / Graeme McDowell
• Phil Mickelson / Anthony Kim v. Henrik Stenson / Oliver Wilson
• Jim Furyk / Kenny Perry v. Padraig Harrington / Robert Karlsson
  

Team USA sits: Steve Stricker, Ben Curtis, Boo Weekley, J. B. Holmes

Team Europe sits: Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Soren Hansen, Paul Casey

Now, as the European and American teams converge on Valhalla Country Club for the Ryder Cup, is this Phil’s time for redemption?

Undoubtedly, yes.

If Mickelson can lead the American team to victory, their first since 2002, he would erase the poor finish to the 2008 season.  It’s Mickelson’s time but which Phil will show up?

The event is a match play format.  The three day event will have the following schedule:

Mornings (first two days)

Foursomes: two man teams playing alternate shot, where one player hits the tee shot and the other follows until the hole is finished.  Only one ball is played per team.

Afternoons (first two days)

Fourball: two man teams play best ball, where each player plays their own ball through completion of the hole.  The lowest individual score is used for the team.

Day Three

Single matches: One player against another for 18 holes, or until one player leads by more holes than there remain

Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky will host the 2008 Ryder Cup as the American team looks to regain the elusive cup.  The 7,540 yard course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened its doors in 1986.  The course gives players two different styles of play with a links-style front nine and a traditional back nine.  The 13th hole is the course’s signature as the 350-yard par-4 offers a narrow fairway and an approach shot to an island green.  Valhalla is no stranger to major competition as is has played host to the 1996 and 2000 PGA Championship, 2004 Senior PGA Championship and the 2002 PGA Club Professional Championship.