It’s Ryder Cup Weekend! Let’s Go USA!

“Ryder Cup play is always tighter than Jesper Parnevik’s pants. . . . There is no Poulan Weedeater Ryder Cup. No Budweiser kickoffs. No tortuous halftimes during which the California Raisin is constantly bumping into Snow White. . . . Unlike soccer’s World Cup, the Ryder Cup doesn’t take a month, 32 countries and three riots to play. . . . And best of all, No annoying mascot.” – Sports Illustrated writer Rick Reilly

I love watching all four Majors because each individual player is giving each individual shot his best effort. You can see and feel the pressure and concentration on the players’ faces while sitting in your den with your beer and pretzels.  As Ken Venturi, who won the 1964 U.S. Open but twice finished second in the Masters, said, “When you lose a Major, it’s like a death in the family.”

With that said, I enjoy watching the Ryder Cup every bit as much. The fact that it is the only team event in golf that actually matters makes it truly different and when you add the US (USA) Vs. THEM (Europe) element, the competition has become crazy intense. This is a tournament of testy rivals and where PRIDE is the prize.  In 2006, after Europe had easily defeated the U.S. team (18 ½ - 9 ½) for the fifth time in six outings, former European Ryder Cupper and 2-time Major winner Sandy Lyle said, “We’re going to have to start giving the Americans handicap strokes. This is getting boring.”

Unfortunately, the Europeans have walked away the trophy much more often than not recently. Since 1985, Europe has won 11 of the last 16 competitions, including six out the last eight, plus the U.S. hasn’t won the Cup on European soil since 1993.  While the Europeans do have recent history and have the home course and home crowd advantage this year, the Americans have six of the world’s top 10 players on their team, plus a hot and rejuvenated Tiger Woods.  Also, in 2016, Capt. Davis Love’s team did win 17 – 11 at Hazeltine.  Maybe that is why the bookies and pundits are predicting a U.S. victory this year.

The bookies on both sides of the pond are favoring the U.S. For example, GOLFodds.com’s numbers are: To Lift the Trophy: USA -150 (bet $150 to win $100); Europe +130 (bet $100 to win $130).  ODDSSHARK.com’s numbers are: USA -$120 to win; Europe +$125.

Most of the writers agree, for example:

Kyle Porter, golf writer -- United States wins 17-11: “I legitimately almost picked Europe here. I even wrote out an entire paragraph trying to talk myself into it.  In the end, though, this U.S. team is absolutely loaded, and talent almost wins the day at these events. I like a repeat score of 2016 in a tournament that never really seems that close.”

Chip Patterson, CBSsports.com writer -- United States wins 14.5-13.5: “Ultimately, I think that strength shows up in singles and the United States is able to escape with a narrow victory.”

Adam Silverstein, CBS golf editor -- United States wins 16.5-11.5: “Shades of 2004-06 here as it feels to me like the Americans are so far beyond the Europeans from a total team talent perspective that it will never ultimately be that close. That aforementioned stretch saw Europe dominate the U.S. 18.5-9.5 in consecutive Ryder Cups. The gap isn't as large for the Americans now as it was then for the Europeans, but I'm only going to give the hosts one point for home-course advantage. The U.S. rolls.”

Brendan Porath, SBNation.com --  It will not be a walk, but the USA ends the 25-year drought on European soil as this new, younger roster begins a run of dominance in this competition.  Both teams are loaded and to say one is a heavy favorite or should win is stupid.  I just think Europe has more weak points -- a couple unpredictable rookies, a couple inconsistent legendary vets -- that could be the difference in a 16-12 loss.

Mike McAllister, Managing Editor, PGATour.com -- Winning team: USA, 16 -12: “ Honestly, I’m not sure it’ll be all that close. U.S. has more guys in form and too many young players without scar tissue. Don’t expect them to be fazed in the least on foreign soil.”

Naturally, because I want American Golf To Be Great Again, I will be cheering for and I am expecting our boys in red, white and blue to keep the Cup with a 15 -13 victory! 

Below are the basic facts about this year’s competition:

The course: Le Golf National will play at 7,183 yards as a par 71. It was designed by Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge, in collaboration with Pierre Thevenin. Located southwest of central Paris, it has hosted the French Open 26 times.

Format: Four matches of fourballs (better ball) and foursomes (alternate shot) on Friday and Saturday, 12 singles matches on Sunday.  The United States needs 14 points to retain the cup. Europe needs 14½ points to win the cup.

The Series (1st Year: 1927): 26-13-2.  The Ryder Cup is named after the English businessman Samuel Ryder who donated the trophy.  Great Britain won the first match 9 ½ - 2 ½ at Worcester (MA) CC.  Two-time Major winner Ted Ray was the British captain and Walter Hagen the U.S. captain, who had already won nine Majors.

The Teams & Players

USA – Capt. Jim Furyk

Europe – Thomas Bjorn (Denmark)

Five Quick Facts:

1) Billy Casper, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino are tied for the most singles points won by American with 7.

2) Nick Faldo has the most Ryder Cup appearances with 11 and has played in 46 matches, which is another Cup record.  Phil Mickelson is second all-time in matches played with 45.

3) Spaniards Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábel make up the most successful partnership is Cup history with an 11-2-2 record from 1987 to 1993.

4) The youngest player to compete in the Ryder Cup is Sergio Garcia of Spain.  He represented Europe in 1999 when he was 19 years 8 months, and 15 days old.  That was the year the U.S. overcame a 10-6 deficit going into the singles round at Brookline and ended up winning 14 ½ to 13 ½.  In the team competition Garcia was 3-0-1, but he lost to Jim Furyk 4 & 3, giving the U.S. the victory.

5) Records of all players with minimum of 15 matches played: Ian Poulter, Europe, 12-4-2, .722; Arnold Palmer, USA, 22-8-2, .719; Luke Donald, Europe, 10-4-1, .700; Hale Irwin, USA, 13-5-2, .700; Tom Watson, USA, 10-4-1, .700

It’s golf and golf this weekend – TV and on the course.  Be sure to record the rounds that you will miss while you are playing! 

Play Away!

Allan (Still a 13.)