HEROES

Anthony Kim: Easily the breakout star of this Cup. The rookie was America's emotional leader, and his brilliant waxing of Sergio Garcia will live on in the hearts of U.S. fans for a long, long time.

Paul Azinger: The captains generally get too much credit or blame, but Zinger obviously had the right plan and tone, and the four wild-card picks he afforded himself turned out pretty darned well. Three of the four (Steve Stricker bombed) scored at least two points.

Graeme McDowell: Played wonderfully and made some great putts. Northern Irishman should have newfound respect among Yanks.

Boo Weekley: The bumpkin began his singles match by riding his driver like an imaginary pony. In way-too-staid pro golf, it doesn't get much better than that. Where was Hal Sutton's cowboy hat?

Kenny Perry: Won his personal major. A phenomenal performance – and year – at the age of 48.

Ken Perry's overalls: It was the Redneck Ryder Cup, and Perry's 84-year-old pop was the mascot.

Hunter Mahan: Dude's a Texan, but he looks like he should be surfing at Swami's. Ryder rookie and captain's pick was highest American scorer. Bet he doesn't care about not getting paid now.

Ian Poulter: Substance over style, for once. Captain's choice notched European team-high four points, so Nick Faldo didn't screw up on everything.

J.B. Holmes: Not a big fan of his, personally, but he went 2-0-1 and the circus driving added a bolt of electricity.

Valhalla Golf Club: Malinged for reasons I don't fathom, it was a fantastic match-play venue, every hole unique. Gave us tons of thrilling shots.

GOATS

Sergio Garcia: Europe's Mr. Ryder Cup had no swagger this time. Double dip in the water Sunday – and the crowd's reaction – was a classic. Classy in defeat, though. A rarity for him these days.

Nick Faldo: Apparently, better in the broadcast booth than in the team room. Baffling that he left Big Monty home, and captain's pick Paul Casey (0-1-2) didn't do him any favors.

Phil Mickelson: Ryder Cup was a lot like this year: lukewarm and barely satisfying. His record in past 16 sessions: 2-11-3. Anthony Kim fired Phil up the first two days, but singles loss to Justin Rose exposed the continued inconsistency.

Padraig Harrington: You could say this year's two-time major winner ran out of gas, but he didn't get a point at home in Ireland two years ago. Half-point this time has to be hugely disappointing.

Stewart Cink: Fourth time he's done little for America's Cup cause. Went 1-2 to drop his overall record to 4-7-4.

NBC announcers: Too many dumb post-match questions, starting with, “Did you ever think ... ”

– TOD LEONARD