Sky Sports - Ryder Cup

That was one fantastic week and I hope you all enjoyed Sky Sports comprehensive coverage over the three days from Valhalla.

Let me say first of all, no one lost the Ryder Cup, America won it. They won it with some sensational golf and for the first time in nine years, their side was united and dedicated to the cause.

They enjoyed what the Europeans have enjoyed in recent times, 12 players playing for one another and their country. That has not been the case since the turn of the century, so credit Paul Azinger for preparing his team so thoroughly, recognising their past weaknesses while not dwelling on them and in doing that, inspired his players to produce the best golf they are capable of.

These are the main reasons the Ryder Cup is on display at the PGA of America's headquarters for the next two years.

When The Ryder Cup is over, the winning captain is a genius, whilst his counterpart is a failure. Hal Sutton, Tom Lehman and Curtis Strange will verify that, as will Mark James.

Magnificent

Rather than voice Nick Faldo's failings, let's look at what he gave us. Ian Poulter.

As I said during the last two weeks, the pressure on Ian to perform was enormous. The vast majority said he should not have been selected and I think that was fair criticism, but Ian did not select himself.

He did however have to cope with all that was going on around him, and in Louisville, he was magnificent. Tony Jacklin gave him the ultimate accolade when he said: "In Ian Poulter, we saw possible greatness".

Beautifully put, and well deserved.

Faldo did what he has always done. He gave this term of captaincy everything, 100% effort with meticulous planning. That is what Nick has done throughout his hugely successful career and it would have been a mistake to change that policy, because to him that would be foreign.

Much has been said about the form of Westwood, Garcia and Harrington. Lee played some lovely golf over the three days for little reward. Sergio came up against an inspired Anthony Kim who was about 8 under through the 14 holes on Sunday and Padraig was a victim of his own success this year.

Having won two majors in the space of a month, there was little left in his tank. His decision to play in the Fed Ex Cup was a mistake. I thought he should have returned home to enjoy these victories, but they have schedules set out, 15 events must be played to retain their cards in the States and so on.

In Paul Casey, I saw a player whose career will blossom. He too had pressure on him having been the second of the wild card picks.

Oliver Wilson inspires you. The effort he put in to make the team on merit is one of the season's highlights.

Soren Hansen, Justin Rose and the excellent Graeme McDowell will be at Celtic Manor in two years time, as will Robert Karlsson and Henrik Stenson. Miguel Angel Jimenez is a possible future captain. When you look at that wider picture, you can take a lot of positives from Kentucky.

Style

Paul Azinger must feel elated with the job he completed so well.

His players responded to his style and in Anthony Kim, who has a little to learn both on and off the course, and Hunter Mahan, he has unearthed special talent and we shall watch their progress with interest in the years ahead.

Kenny Perry had the best day in his golfing life in front of his own fans as did J.B.Holmes and it was fitting that gentleman Jim Furyk had the honour of winning the Cup for his country.

What about Boo Weekley? Talk will be of his crazy antics geeing up the gallery and riding an imaginary horse off the first tee. In Boo, you have a man who was a big plus to his team, a thoroughly decent chap who is just different from the rest.

On top of that, he is one of the finest players in the world. He was the star of his side.

There is no need for recriminations, because at the end of the day, this was a fantastic Ryder Cup and the game of golf was the winner.

Reflections

I staggered onto a plane that took me from Louisville to Chicago at 6am on Monday morning, before going onto London. As I crossed the Atlantic, I reflected on the captaincy of Nick and all that had happened at Valhalla.

This was always going to be hard for him. Throughout his career, he has been a loner and the toughest part of his week was to be part of a group. It is something he has never encountered because he is not made that way.

I was saddened to hear him talk much at the opening and closing ceremonies about his family and there were many references to "me" and "I", not many about "us".

Nick has trusted very few people in his life. No one in the game has got really close to him, so his world is a small one. It is that make up that has allowed him to perform at the very highest level and beyond.

He is without doubt our greatest ever golfer and much of what the European Tour is today, is down to his performances over a brilliant 20 year career. One must remember, Nick is the highest points-scorer in Ryder Cup golf, but in playing, he controlled what he could do. As captain, he lost that power.

After a restless sleep, the plane was over Ireland and below was the K Club, scene of our great triumph two years ago. I thought of how often Tiger Woods has had to endure fans saying he is not the same in Ryder Cup week as he is in majors and other events he graces.

I then thought Nick and Tiger are similar and maybe that's why they have 20 majors between them. The great hunters, hunt alone.