Sep

25

GM Nigel Davies on the Ryder Cup

September 25, 2006 |

Why did the US lose the Ryder Cup so badly? Much has been made of the fact that the result belied 'world rankings', but summing the cumulative World Rankings of the two squads, the European team appears to have been the stronger on paper.

With this being the US's third consecutive defeat, could it be time to turn this match into 'The Americas' vs. Europe? Or were other factors responsible?

Steve Leslie responds:

The reason the U.S. consistently loses the Ryder Cup has absolutely nothing to do with talent nor preparation nor team depth. In fact, if you look at the European team, six of the golfers came from England, Scotland and Ireland, two came from Spain, and two from Sweden. So population on its own can be ruled out as a factor.

The U.S. has the most extensive golf programs in the world and enough of the top players (Tiger Woods, Jim Furyck, Phil Mickelson, Chris DiMarco) to hold their own. The point is they have plenty of golfers to choose from. Eliminate the talent pool excuse.

The course at the K club is very similar to that of a U.S. country club, where target golf is de rigueur, and it is not a links club. The greens were medium fast greens and immaculate, so you can rule out the track as benefiting the Euros.

The weather was accommodating, a little rain but in no way untenable. Plus, they were in Ireland and not on the coast of Scotland where weather can be brutal.

All the players arrived in plenty of time to get ready for the event. Throw out jet lag as an excuse.

Nobody who qualified had to be replaced because of injury or default. Everyone was there who was supposed to be there. In fact, Scott Verplank, a captain's pick, gave a stellar performance.

The fault lies in their desire to play as a team. The Ryder Cup is all about team chemistry and a burning passion to represent their country and team. The U.S. players, no matter what they may say publicly, view this as an afterthought. Their season is technically done after the PGA and many of the top pros are beginning to shut things down. They have ended their tournament season and are on their way to corporate events where there is plenty of money to be had. Note the comments from team captain Tom Lehman, who has been quoted in the past as saying that the golfers should be paid for their efforts in the Ryder Cup. That is indicative of the mindset of the U.S. golfers.

U.S. golfers are corporations first, representatives of club manufacturers and clothing designers. They have their own planes, travel in pristine luxury and treated like royalty wherever they go. This is hardly the stuff of Palmer, Nicklaus, Wadkins, Trevino, Casper or Watson.

Practically all tournaments in the U.S. are medal play and are contested across 72 holes. Very few tournaments are decided by match play. This encourages consistency and an aversion to risk taking. Match play is all about risk taking, birdie making and intimidation. Plus it takes a certain arrogance to play match play.

A reporter asked Sergio Garcia after a successful match at this years Ryder Cup why he does so well in Ryder Cup competition. His reply was three words: "I love it!"


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