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Yearender: Olympics sparkle at height of magical British summer

Updated: 2012-12-28 09:16
( Agencies)
Poulter leads fightback

Yearender: Olympics sparkle at height of magical British summer

Team Europe golfer Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland holds up the Ryder Cup after the closing ceremony of the 39th Ryder Cup at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, Sept 30, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

McIlroy also played a full part in the year's most remarkable comeback. After confusion over a tee time, he needed a police escort in his haste to reach the Medinah course on the final day of the biennial Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States when the hosts needed only 4-1/2 points from 12 singles matches to win.

Instead, the Americans conceded 8-1/2 points to the Europeans who won 14-1/2 to 13-1/2. McIlroy prevailed over the previously undefeated Keegan Bradley and German Martin Kaymer sank a five-foot putt on the 18th green to secure the 14 points Europe needed to retain the trophy.

Englishman Ian Poulter, who like the late Seve Ballesteros and Colin Montgomerie before him reserves his best for the Ryder Cup, turned around Europe's fortunes by earning one of two points in the fourballs on Saturday. Poulter, possessor of one of the more startling wardrobes in a sport not noted for sartorial restraint, was one of eight players to win on Sunday to finish with a 4-0 record overall.

Although another Briton, Jenson Button, won the final Grand Prix of the season in Sao Paulo nobody could deny Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, who at the age of 25 became Formula One's youngest triple world champion.

The German was last on the opening lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix but fought back in a damaged car to finish sixth.

Related stories about Yearender 2012 Series:

Yearender 2012 China sports: Li Na 'playing herself'

Yearender 2012 China sports: Chinese badminton makes history but overshadowed by match-fixing scandal

Yearender 2012 China sports: Bitter-sweet year for Chinese basketball

Yearender 2012 soccer: Glory for Spain and Messi but problems never far away

Yearender 2012 basketball: Lebron shines brightest on every stage

Yearender 2012 tennis: Golden year for Murray, regrets for Nadal

Yearender 2012 golf: Celtic Tiger and emerging China shine in 2012

Yearender 2012 cycling: Armstrong case sends shockwaves

Yearender 2012 motor racing: Vettel takes triple in year of surprises

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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