Taking the positives
Let’s just say it: we categorically and emphatically lost the Ryder Cup. Like every European fan watching I was extremely disappointed and, like most, I wasn’t particularly surprised. The reasons for the USA’S record-breaking victory are eloquently described and explained by Bill Elliott on page 36. I’ll leave it to his powers of penmanship to deliver the deconstruction. Despite the doom and gloom from a European perspective, from a sporting point of view I felt the action at Whistling Straits made for compelling and interesting viewing. Firstly, the match play format is one we rarely see in competition at the very top level, particularly not pairs match play. Most of us regularly play fourball and foursomes at our clubs and that’s because those formats provide the most exciting, changeable and unpredictable action – victories when playing poorly, improbable comebacks, ‘giant-toppling’ heroics…
It follows, then, that those pairs formats always produce scintillating contests at the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and other team events. The opportunity for attacking play in the fourballs allows the brightest stars in the game to show what they’re capable of without the risks associated with ‘going for it’. It gives them free rein to attempt that audacious escape they may shy away from in their weekly stroke play tournaments.
In foursomes, the strategy and teamwork required give a glimpse of another side to the protagonists’ competitive prowess. And then in the singles, the players know they must attack, as generally only a barrage of birdies will win and matches can get away quickly, as Jon Rahm experienced with Scottie Scheffler’s five birdies in the first six holes.
But there’s also potential for matches to turn and that’s why you keep watching to the bitter end. The hope is compulsive. We also get to see the passion and determination of the players to perform for each other, for captain, for country and for continent. Compare the responses of players on both sides in the Ryder Cup to regular tour events. It’s clear that playing for the sport itself is more important to them than engorging their bulging bank balances.
As we try to work out how Europe can turn things around in Rome, we should also see the positives. It’s a spectacular event with a thrilling format and demonstrates the top professionals play for more than just money.
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