Ryder Cup: 5 Key Takeaways from Hazeltine National

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Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Ryan Moore of the United States chips on the ninth hole during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Ryan Moore Proves His Place as Team USA’s 12th Man

What a week it was for Ryan Moore. Seven days after he went toe-to-toe with Rory McIlroy in a playoff battle for the TOUR Championship, Moore was the American lucky enough to clinch his country’s first Ryder Cup victory since 2008.

Moore received the call from USA captain Davis Love III to join the team after placing second to McIlroy last Sunday. Despite his hot performance, Moore’s inclusion was a head-scratcher for many, especially with Ryder Cup veteran Bubba Watson in contention for the pick.

After getting off to a shaky start on Friday afternoon with partner J.B. Holmes, Moore was able to find a rhythm over the final two days of play. This rhythm came in handy when the going got tough near the end of his singles match with Lee Westwood. 1-down entering the par 5 16th hole, Moore rifled a fairway wood to within 10 feet of the pin. He sank the eagle putt to even the match, birdied 17 to go 1-Up and clinched the 15th point with a par on 18 to give the Americans a Ryder Cup victory.

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