Americans will get no Ryder Cup favours
saint-quentin-en-yvelines — Big-hitting American stars may have to adjust their games when they defend the Ryder Cup against Europe in September on a tight, punishing course at Le Golf National just outside Paris.
All 12 Europeans are certain to be familiar with the quirks of the French set-up designed to favour strategic play, while American long hitters like world number one Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson and even possibly Tiger Woods will have to put away their drivers on the majority of holes.
The Americans regained the Ryder Cup two years ago at a Hazeltine track with forgiving fairways and slick greens, but will find a totally different proposition awaiting them in France as they look to win the trophy on European soil for the first time in 25 years. Course director Paul Armitage, watching the Americans at the Albatros course during a Ryder Cup practice session in mid-July, said the Europeans will have a head start at the September 28-30 contest.
“The Europeans know the course better. It’s a real advantage,” said Armitage.
He said that even three-time major champion Jordan Spieth was finding out the hard way and had hit two iron shots into the water in succession.
“There is only one way to play some holes and if you don’t know that, or don’t do that, holes like the famous (par-three) 16th will eat you,” he added.
US Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk brought five US team hopefuls including two-time Masters winner Watson and Spieth over to France for a weekend ahead of the British Open.
Armitage said if you gamble, you can win but you have to play with “brains rather than brawn”.