HE HAS made only one appearance in the Ryder Cup, but what an appearance. In a breathtaking foursomes tie yesterday morning, Oliver Wilson defied his reputation as Europe’s weakest link with a dramatic contribution to the biggest upset of this year’s match.

The 28-year-old rookie from Mansfield, who scraped into the team as an automatic qualifier, has had to put up with references to his winless career on the European Tour, nailed the kind of triumph that many a champion would kill for. A long, match-winning putt for birdie on the 17th green saw off Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim.

The pity was that his and Henrik Stenson’s 2&1 victory was not secured before Nick Faldo had submitted his afternoon pairings. Had Europe’s captain seen his young compatriot charging about the putting surface, punching the air in delight, he would surely have wanted to extend the feelgood factor. Instead, Wilson was told three or four holes before the end it was to be his only round of the day, at which point, he turned to his caddie and said: “We had better make this count because I want a 100% record.”

Wilson, a steady player between tee and green, is probably a bigger asset in foursomes than he is in fourballs, but he would have bowled his way comfortably through 36 holes, having been the only player from either side to sit out the whole of Friday. “I’ve been itching to play,” he said. “I was ecstatic to get out there.”

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Despite a hesitant start – the Americans were four up after six – Wilson played a crucial part not just in the kind of turnaround that is always possible in foursomes, but in finishing off his opponents. After he and Stenson had taken the lead for the first time at the 15th, he consolidated it with a brilliant approach to the par four 16th, and secured victory with a 25ft uphill putt on 17. “I felt like I’ve been waiting to hole that putt all year,” he said.

Of the four morning ties, Mickelson and Kim were meant to be bankers. They had been on fire throughout each of their two previous sessions, they were up against a rookie who had yet to hit a shot. It was even suggested the draw was a good one for Europe, who could sacrifice Wilson and hope succeed in more winnable matches.

Wilson didn’t see it that way. With nothing to lose, he saw only an opportunity. “I was really pleased when I saw the draw,” he said. “In the Ryder Cup, you’re always playing against great players, but I want to play against the best.” Mickelson could have done without another surprise defeat on his dodgy Ryder Cup cv, just when he seemed to be coming good. Twice on Friday, he and Kim recovered from three down to avoid defeat, leading to relief that the world No 2 had found both the partner and the appetite to succeed.

Mickelson has not won a Ryder Cup singles match since 1999 and in 2002 he lost to Phillip Price. When he took to the first tee on Friday, he was trying to end a run that had earned him a point and a half from 11 outings. Suspicion of his priorities was only heightened by his refusal on the eve of this match to take on leadership duties. In the absence of Tiger Woods, he was asked if the onus was on him to inspire younger players. “My only responsibility is to play well,” he replied.

Which, to his credit, he did on the opening day. In the morning foursomes, he and Kim stole a half from Padraig Harrington and Robert Karlsson. In the afternoon fourballs they beat Harrington and Graeme McDowell, with Mickelson bagging seven birdies. “This day, by far, was the best he’s played in the Ryder Cup,” said his caddie, Jim Mackay.

It helped he was paired with Kim, a 23-year-old with infectious enthusiasm. Both are big-hitting, fun-loving adventurers with no axe to grind. And, with 15 years between then, there was none of the rivalry that hampered Mickelson’s partnership with Woods. But their attacking instincts, ideal in fourballs, did not serve them so well in alternate-shot. The turning point yesterday came at the par five seventh, when Mickelson’s approach bounced off rocks next to the green. By the 12th, Europe were all square. By the 15th, they were ahead, thanks largely to Kim, whose ambitious approach from behind a tree found the greenside pond. Two holes later, it was Wilson’s turn to make a splash.