The atmosphere at the Ryder Cup this weekend at the K Club in
Ireland once again should be very rowdy and raucous. This biannual
event has turned into a spirited competition between the 12 United
States players and the 12 European players who compete in the
event.
The atmosphere at the Ryder Cup this weekend at the K Club in Ireland once again should be very rowdy and raucous. This biannual event has turned into a spirited competition between the 12 United States players and the 12 European players who compete in the event.
The competition is comprised of foursomes, where two players play shots alternately as a team; four ball-play, where two players play their own ball and the lower of the two is the team score; and finally singles matches, pitting a player from each team against one another.
Golfers receive a point for each match won and a half point for a tied match. The team with the most points at the end wins the Ryder Cup. In the event of a tie, the team that possessed the cup from the previous matches will retain the Cup. OK, got it?
This event was once dominated by the United States teams and was really looked at as an “exhibition” type event.
Well somewhere along the line, the European teams decided they wanted to give up their doormat costume and start doing something about it.
From 1983 through 2004, the European team has come out victorious six of the 10 meetings between the two squads.
Of course, this dominance has not sat well with the U.S. teams and has led to some bad blood over the years.
There was the most recent account a few years ago when Justin Leonard of the U.S. team sank a long putt that for all intents and purposes sealed the victory for the U.S. The team erupted into celebration and caused some disdain from the European team.
When Seve Ballesteros was still competing, he was accused on many occasions of turning to some “gamesmanship” tactics in order to get under his opponent’s skin.
My take is this. The reason for the European team’s recent dominance is that they play more match-play format growing up in their home countries.
In match, you can score an 8 on a hole and your opponent may make a 4, but you are only down one stroke, not 4 strokes. It allows a player or a team to stay in the match longer and possibly win it.
We have many more stroke-play events here in the U.S. The toughness that a player learns in match-play competitions is one of those intangibles that cannot be overlooked. As you will see this weekend, most of the matches will go down to the 17th or 18th hole, and sheer determination may make the difference.
Don’t get me wrong, I will be rooting for the ol’ Red, White and Blue. We have some of the world’s greatest players on our side, starting with Tiger Woods. He will be joined by Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk and others.
But we also have some rookies on the team. As you have heard more than once by players who have competed on Ryder Cup teams, playing for one’s country is a significant and emotional event. Hopefully their nerves will stand up. Hopefully team captain Tom Lehman will pair them with veteran players to help steady them and bring the cup home.
USA! USA! USA!
Steve Janisch, a guest columnist of South Valley Newspapers, is the head PGA professional at San Juan Oaks Golf & Country Club. You can reach him at (831) 636-6113.
