Monday, September 27, 2021

Ryder Cup debate
Golfers from Europe sink against the US

The Ryder Cup is a prestigious event: the best golfers from Europe and the United States fight as a team for the title of their continent. It is always emotional, often also exciting. This year, however, it is clear from the start. And it will be bitter for the defending champion.

The only 24-year-old Collin Morikawa made perfect the victory of the favorite US team in the 43rd Ryder Cup on the 18th green of the Whistling Straits Golf Course. To deafening applause from around 40,000 fans, the Americans recovered the gold trophy from the defending champions of Europe in the prestigious continental comparison on Sunday. With Morikawa’s draw against Norway’s Viktor Hovland, the rivals took an impregnable lead with 14.5 points before the end of the twelve singles matches.

Captain Steve Stricker’s favorite US team started the final day with a clear 11: 5 lead in the singles finals at the spectacular golf course on the shores of Lake Michigan in the US state of Wisconsin. With the success, the Americans improved their record in golf’s premier team competition to 27 wins, 14 losses and two draws. The dominance of the young American stars in front of the local public was overwhelming. The Americans, who on average were much better placed in the world rankings, left the defending champions of Europe just one chance in the three days. In the end, the individual class of American stars won out against the much-invoked team spirit of the Europeans.

The lone fighters come together

However, there was also something like the team spirit that was felt in the lone wrestlers in the USA. The stars bounced back and fully focused on winning the Ryder Cup. The best example of this was the muscular Bryson DeChambeau and four-time Major League Baseball winner Brooks Koepka put their personal feud on hold during Ryder Cup week and put all their skills at the service of the team.

The Europeans were denied the much needed “Whistling Straits miracle” on the day of the final. Captain Padraig Harrington’s team deficit after the first two days was too great. Players around the world, number one Jon Rahm from Eintel’s twelve games, would have needed nine points to defend the Paris title three years ago.

After this bitter defeat, the Europeans will now have to think about how they want to position their team for the future. It is questionable whether the three English veterans Lee Westwood (48 years), Ian Poulter (45) and Paul Casey (44) will continue to be part of the 44th Ryder Cup in Rome two years from now. Another European veteran made positive news at the Whistling Straits Golf Course. 41-year-old Spaniard Sergio García celebrated his 25th victory in his 10th Ryder Cup appearance on Saturday afternoon. No other player has achieved more victories in the competition’s history.