Vive le golf!

Not that long ago, the Ryder Cup was something of a fringe sporting event, staged every two years between Britain and Ireland and the United States and invariably won by the latter. Nowadays it is a monumental occasion, attracting thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers. Moreover, ever since the British and Irish players were joined by European golfers nearly 40 years ago, it is more often than not the team from this side of the Atlantic that emerges victorious. At the Paris National yesterday, normal service was resumed as the Europeans regained the trophy after a minor blip two years ago. It was the first time the competition had taken place in France, a country associated more with cycling than “le golf ”. Given the triumphant staging of this tournament, it should not be the last.