Golf fans from Kentucky and around the USA are providing a "13th Man" element to motivate the American Ryder Cup team.

Victory at Valhalla

The drought is finally over, thanks to a gang of frisky underdogs who defied the odds and wrested a coveted golden chalise from their mighty foes. Led by six rookies loaded with grit and heart, Team USA defeated Team Europe with a gutsy singles performance on Sunday that gave the red, white and blue a Ryder Cup win for the first time nine years.

The Americans didn't need a miracle putt or even the best player in the world to reclaim the Ryder Cup from Europe on Sunday for the first time since 1999.

The United States won 16 1/2-11 1/2, its largest margin of victory since 1981.

Kenny Perry, the 48-year-old Kentucky local who felt this week would make or break his career, was part of an early push that swung momentum toward the Americans. Then came fellow Kentuckian J.B. Holmes, blasting drives over the trees to birdie his last two holes and position the United States for a victory it felt was overdue.

The Ryder Cup was clinched with a handshake when Miguel Angel Jimenez conceded a short par putt to Jim Furyk, giving the Americans the 14 1/2 points they needed to take the 17-inch (44-centimeter) gold chalice.

Dressed in red shirts, the Americans erupted into hugs and tears behind the 17th green.

"I poured my heart and soul into this for two years," U.S. captain Paul Azinger said, his voice cracking. "The players poured their heart and soul into this for one week. They deserved it. I couldn't be happier."

Ben Curtis and Chad Campbell, the final player picked for this U.S. team, won the final two matches for a lopsided score.

It was only fitting that Furyk won the decisive point. He felt hollow six years ago at The Belfry watching Paul McGinley make a par putt that clinched victory for Europe, the start of three straight victories that extended its domination in golf's most passionate event.

The only U.S. victory over the last 15 years was in 1999, and only after Justin Leonard knocked in a 45-foot birdie putt to complete the greatest comeback ever at Brookline.

This time, it was the Americans who produced unlikely stars -- Boo Weekley, from the backwoods of the Florida Panhandle; Anthony Kim, the brash kid from the streets of Los Angeles; and Hunter Mahan, who tied a U.S. record by winning 31/2 points as a captain's pick. Mahan was the only player to play all five matches at Valhalla without losing.

Even so, the biggest star might have been Azinger.

It was his idea to overhaul the qualifying system, which he felt was keeping the Americans from fielding their best team. He also doubled his captain's picks, and they all brought something.

"If we win, I'll go down as having the lowest IQ of any genius who ever lived," Azinger said this summer.

Kim def. Garcia 5&4
Mahan halved with Casey
Karlsson def. Leonard 5&3
Rose def. Mickelson 3&2
Perry def. Stenson 3&2
Weekley def. Wilson 4&2
Holmes def. Hansen 2&1
Furyk def. Jimenez 2&1
McDowell def. Cink 2&1
Poulter def. Stricker 3&2
Curtis def. Westwood 2&1
Campbell def. Harrington 2&1

pga.com