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Golf Fans Show American Pride In Ryder Cup Victory

CHASKA, Minn. (WCCO) -- For the first time in eight years, Team USA claimed the Ryder Cup trophy winning Sunday afternoon at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Ryan Moore secured the win on the 18th hole, even though he missed the birdie. The final point total was 17-11 and all Team USA needed was 14-and-a-half to win.

"It was out of this world best thing I could have made a trip for," said Jack Daly of California.

The three-day tournament brought the highs and lows that go with any golf game. But many Team USA supporters believed, from the beginning, that this year would be different.

"The crowd noise level, the excitement of just being around this, is amazing," said Todd Flodman of Nebraska.

Some believed the location was a factor. Hazeltine National Golf Club is located in Chaska, Minn. Many Minnesota fans were in attendance to show that team support goes beyond quiet applause.

"It got a little hockeyish, loud and crazy," said Amy Kapitola of Minneapolis.

Others would argue the winning tone was set during the practice rounds when North Dakota native David Johnson gave Team USA some added confidence with a once in a lifetime putt showing up golfers on Team Europe.

The show of team pride certainly wasn't absent. Fans wore their team colors with pride and in many different ways. Spectators wore brightly colored pants, onesies and even draped their country's flag around their backs.

"You have to bring out your colors on a day like today because, outside the Olympics, this is like a great worldwide event," Kapitola said.

Yet most believed the real inspiration behind the win was the team spirit. A Ryder cup victory isn't just a celebration for one, rather a win for an entire nation.

"The patriotism is exuding from everybody here," Daly said.

Organizers of this year's Ryder Cup say they had record-breaking attendance.  It could pave the way for another major golf tournament at Hazeltine National.

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