Desperate US takes fresh Ryder Cup tack

A REVAMPED American squad that US captain Davis Love called the best yet assembled faces a Europe team that has dominated for two decades when the 41st Ryder Cup opens today.

As players of both teams at Hazeltine mourn the death of the great Arnold Palmer, holders Europe seeks an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory over its US host, which has dropped six of the past seven meetings and eight of the past 10.

“We are very determined to keep the Ryder Cup and keep this streak going,” British Open champion Henrik Stenson said.

US Open champion Dustin Johnson, PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker and fivetime major winner Phil Mickelson, making his 11th Ryder Cup appearance to match Nick Faldo’s record, lead an American squad hungry to reclaim the Cup.

“We’re just tired of being told we haven’t won in a while,” said Jordan Spieth. “We want this one.”

Swiping a page from Europe’s playbook, the US team assembled a committee to manage details and focus on Ryder Cup issues, ending hurried last-minute pairings.

“It’s very much like the model that the Europeans have done with tremendous success in bringing out their best golf,” Mickelson said.

“When you get together as a team and work together, you ou can achieve much greater success than you ever can ass an individual. It’s exciting to be part of the groundwork and the foundation of the US side tryingying to do that now going forward.”