2012 Ryder Cup: Jim Furyk, Team USA squander lead in disappointing loss

Team USA lost the 2012 Ryder Cup to Team Europe on Sunday at Medinah Country Club by a final tally of 14½-13½, which allowed the Europeans to repeat as the holders of the cup.

What made the loss all the more disappointing was the fact that Team USA entered the final day of the event with a commanding 10-6 lead and required only 4½ points out of a possible 12 to win the Ryder Cup. However, Europe quickly jumped on the United States by stealing the first four matches of the day, which ultimately foreshadowed what was to come.

In total, Luke Donald, Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Paul Lawrie, Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood all recorded wins for Team Europe on the day. Europe officially clinched the 39th Ryder Cup when Martin Kaymer defeated Steve Stricker.

West Chester native Jim Furyk fell to Garcia when his reoccurring problems with the short game reemerged on hole No. 12, which allowed Garcia to square the match with a par. On the final hole, Furyk opened with a bunker shot, then missed a par putt to allow Garcia to steal the match and give Europe a 13-12 lead.