Talking points

CAN THE UNITED STATES ACTUALLY WIN IT THIS TIME? After appointing a specially-assembled task force and a captain well liked by players, hosts USA have given themselves the best chance of lifting the Ryder Cup for only the second time in 14 years. Fortune has also played into their hands in that US Open winner Dustin Johnson is the world’s in-form golfer. Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed (likely to be Spieth’s partner over the first two days) and Phil Mickelson will be expected to carry the burden of responsibility. HOW MUCH WILL HOME ADVANTAGE PLAY A PART? Aside from the partisan crowd, the Hazeltine course itself may play into the hands of the hosts. Research by the US team found how they play the par-5s often dictates whether they win or lose. With America having the edge when it comes to prodigious driving length the early plan appears to be to make the four par-fives play as long as possible. HOW WILL EUROPE’S ROOKIES FARE? Half of the team are first-timers and, partly as a result, captain Darren Clarke felt the need to add experience when he picked Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer. Of those rookies, however, one is Masters champion Danny Willett and another Chris Wood, who won the BMW Championship, one of the big events on the European Tour. Rafa Cabrera-Bello, aged 32, is hardly a novice while the raw power of Thomas Pieters has seen him finish first, second and fourth [at the Olympics] in his last three events. WHO HAS THE BEST CAPTAINCY CREDENTIALS? Davis Love III has been here before, although he will not care to remember the 2012 Miracle of Medinah, when almost certain victory was snatched from the United States’ grasp by the brilliance of the Europeans. Having also served as a vice-captain two years prior to that and featured in six as a player he is as experienced as you can get, and after the hand-wringing of yet another defeat at Gleneagles last time out as little as possible has been left to chance. Darren Clarke is a five-time Ryder Cup player with two stints as vice-captain. Unlike Love, who, outside the Majors, has played 14 events this year, he has dedicated more time to captaincy (playing just eight). The perception is there has been less structured approach on the European side and the ability to be flexible often pays off once the battle is under way. a