US’ pride Leonard sends Europe into hole

The Americans, with 10 of the world’s 16 top-ranked players, rallied from a 10-6 deficit after foursomes and four-ball matches, a hole no team had ever escaped from to win in the Cup’s 72-year history.

“I never stopped believing in these guys,” tearful US captain Ben Crenshaw said. “I’m stunned. There is such an indomitable spirit in these guys. They always believed in themselves. You’ve got to believe in fate.”

Leonard certainly does. The US hero rallied from 4 down seven to play to halve with Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal by winning four holes in a row, then taking the pivotal half-point with a stunner at 17.

“Ididn’t know if I could make it,” Leonard said. “I was trying to make it but I was also trying to get the ball close. That was probably my first goal. It’s a putt we had all seen during practice rounds. It was just one of those things. I think the ball was just destined to go in.”

The clincher came on the same hole where US caddie Francis Ouimet sank a decisive birdie to upset five-time British Open champion Harry Vardon and fellow Brit Ted Ray at the 1913 US Open.