The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 2 October 2012

Revealed: How America won Europe the Cup

It was America that won it. Rory McIlroy, who arrived at the course just 10 minutes before his singles match on Sunday because of confusion over US time-zones, had two quick-thinking officials from the PGA of America – and Lombard deputy police chief Pat Rollins – to thank for his role in winning the Ryder Cup. Without them, McIlroy, above, would not have made his tee time and the point he won against Keegan Bradley would have been awarded to America, handing the Ryder Cup back to the hosts.

The alarm was raised by Erica Stoll, a PGA transport official at Medinah, who noticed McIlroy had not arrived. A sweep of the course revealed he was not on site, prompting a call to her colleague.

Elsewhere, Martin Kaymer revealed how a chat with fellow German Bernhard Langer, who missed the vital putt in the tournament in 1991, helped him hold his nerve to hole the crucial putt which ensured Europe retained the trophy. "I sat down with Bernhard and talked to him a little bit about the Ryder Cup because my attitude wasn't the right one," Kaymer said. MORE

Poulter: I proved doubters wrong

In the aftermath of his Ryder Cup heroics, in which he won four points out of a possible four for the victorious European team, Ian Poulter was in defiant mood. "All my life I've been told I'd never amount to anything," he said. "I just love proving people wrong." MORE

Hammers hang on for derby victory

West Ham secured a 2-1 win at Queen's Park Rangers last night thanks to first-half goals from Matt Jarvis and Ricardo Vaz Te. Substitute Adel Taarabt pulled one back for the home side, who had Samba Diakité sent off in the 75th minute for his second yellow card. MORE

Wilshere returns after 14 months out

A pleasing sight for Arsenal and England yesterday, as the midfielder Jack Wilshere returned to action for the first time after 14 months out injured. The 20-year-old played 62 minutes of Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion in the Under-21 Premier League. MORE

England exit after Sri Lanka defeat

The defending champions England were eliminated from the competition yesterday after a 19-run loss against Sri Lanka in their final Super Eights match. The hosts made 169-6, and while Samit Patel scored 67, England could only reach 150-9 in the Pallekele Stadium. MORE

Hartley set to miss international Tests

With the autumn internationals looming, England were hit with another injury problem yesterday, when it was confirmed that Northampton's Dylan Hartley suffered a hairline fracture of his eye socket during Friday's win over Wasps. MORE

Ferguson: Foreign players dive more

Sir Alex Ferguson claimed last night that overseas players are more likely to dive than those from Britain, as he responded to complaints from Manchester City's Sergio Aguero that foreign imports have a harder time with referees in England. MORE

Di Matteo gives Lampard backing

Ahead of tonight's Champions League match away in Norway at Nordsjaelland, Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo says 34-year-old Frank Lampard, who has 12 months remaining on his contract, has a "very strong future at the club". MORE

Farah could run in London Marathon

Great Britain's double gold medallist in distance running at the Olympics, Mo Farah, says one day he could run the London Marathon. "As a kid I did the mini-marathon so it would be rude not to do the full thing," he said. MORE

Berdych eases through in Japan

Second seed Tomas Berdych eased his way into the second round of the Japan Open with a 6-1, 7-6 victory over France's Benoît Paire yesterday. Andy Murray faces Gaël Monfils in the tournament today. MORE

James Lawton

If any atonement was due, Ian Poulter enforced it here. He did more than most to conspicuously honour the memory of one of the greatest golfers the world had ever seen, Seve Ballesteros. MORE