RYDER CUP 2006: CAPTAIN IAN WOOSNAM'S GIFT TO BOTH TEAM MEMBERS


In the form of a Waterford crystal decanter with exquisitely crafted handle and stopper, mounted on a black base with an attached plaque showing all the players in each team.
|Played at The K Club [Palmer Course] in County Kildare, Ireland, Europe cruised to its third consecutive Ryder Cup victory, registering a record-matching rout of the US with clutch putting and inspirational leadership by Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke. Result: Europe 18½, USA 9½.Darren Clarke: 'Heather died and after everything started to settle down afterwards, I embarked on the process that would eventually lead to my being able to fulfil her last desire of me – to play in the Ryder Cup. I called the captain, Ian Woosnam, and told him simply that if he wanted me to play, I'd be ready. My way of dealing with things was to throw myself into practice, and when I'd practised, I'd practise even more. I blocked out everything else and I have to admit I probably wasn't a great father at that stage. The time to grieve and give the boys the attention they deserved would come later. Everything was put on hold except my determination to get into the Ryder Cup team.'