Ryder Cup question

[Hopkirk]

On the last hole, why did Hunter Mahan concede?

Surely there was a possibilty Graeme McDowell would miss the hole with his next putt, so why give up while there is still hope?

[kendra20]

graeme mc dowell still had 2 puts in hand and he wasnt going to miss that hole with 2 puts to go

[Hopkirk]

Oh I see, I didn't realise that.

Don't they take it in turns to putt?

[alexanderd]

furthast from the hole puts first but as mcdowell still had two shots even if mahan putted his he realized that it was unlikely mcdowell with miss with two putts so he conceded

[kendra20]

hunter mahan needed to put it down in 1 from where he was if he didnt mcdowell would haave had 3 shots in hand. its a funny old game golf. players of their standing know when its over.

[Hopkirk]

It also robs the winners of the pleasure of seeing the winning putt drop into the hole.

I think I will write to Mr Ryder and suggest I rewrite the rules for him.

[rowanwitch]

Courtesy.....and convention....and it's a last little moral victory before you lose...ie we conceded you didn't actually win on your own...

[Hopkirk]

Thanks all for your helpful answers.

If we ever lose again, we will thank the yanks for not rubbing it in.