As almost everyone knows, the match came down to Kaymer’s seven-foot par putt on the 18th hole. If Kaymer made the putt, Europe would clinch retaining the Cup. In 1991, Langer had a putt of similar distance on the 18th hole at Kiawah Island that would have allowed Europe to retain the Cup. He missed. That moment flashed through Kaymer’s mind for a split second as he lined up his putt. But then, Langer’s words from two days earlier came back to him.

“I’m here right now because I’ve played well enough to get to this moment,” he remembered thinking. “My teammates have put me in this position and I’ve put myself right here. I’m meant to be here and I’m meant to make this putt. The whole thing is brilliant.”