Europe Swings Together

EUROPE may scatter its shots when it comes to farm policy or a common currency, but the continent can now claim superb teamwork in at least one area: golf.

The Europeans' Ryder Cup victory last weekend was a come-from-behind, odds-defying triumph. Their team of links professionals had its star veterans, such as Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, German Bernhard Langer, and Englishman Nick Faldo, but it was some of the lesser-known players who chipped away the American lead and finally sealed the win on Sept. 24.

Philip Walton, a young Ryder Cup novice from Ireland, won the crucial match that transferred the trophy back across the Atlantic for the first time since 1989.

Individual exhibits of grit and skill under pressure are always remarkable in a game that tends to magnify momentary lapses. Both teams had superlative moments, including two holes in one by the Europeans.

But even more remarkable, perhaps, was the depth of team spirit among the Europeans. They leapt and wept at the winning putt.

And all this for the glory of Europe - not Spain, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Sweden, or even Britain, the original defender of the cup. Nationalism may have lost a few strokes too.