U.S. has to win in Europe to turn tide in Ryder Cup

SHEBOYGAN, WIS. » Europe had players who weren’t even born the last time it was beaten this badly in the Ryder Cup by what was clearly a superior American team on Midwestern soil.

This wasn’t Sept. 26 at Whistling

Straits.

This was five years ago at Hazeltine, where the 17-11 outcome suggested the Ryder Cup was turning in favor of the Americans. Darren Clarke was the captain in 2016 and he pledged Europe would “be back stronger to fight” in two years.

That’s exactly what happened.

So while the Americans looked better than ever — “the greatest team of all time,” U.S. captain Steve Stricker said in a moment of exuberance — their 19-9 victory was only a step, even if it felt like a giant leap.

Not only was it the biggest blowout against Europe since it joined in 1979, it equaled the largest margin in any Ryder Cup since 1975.

The big picture? Nothing matters until Italy in 2023.

Rory McIlroy, even after his least productive Ryder Cup performance inside the ropes, didn’t sound overly concerned.

“It seems the way the Ryder Cup is going, the home team certainly has an advantage every time that we play this thing,” McIlroy said. “That was apparent in Paris a couple years ago. I think it was pretty apparent this week, as well.”

The difference is the makeup of this American team.

More than just being the youngest U.S. team ever for a Ryder Cup — average age 29 — they were not part of a recycled group of Americans who still have, “Ole, ole, ole, ole” ringing in their heads from hearing it so often after losing so much.

And it even goes further than that.

The nickname “Patty Ice” is not just for Patrick Cantlay’s big moments with the putter. He is coldblooded when it comes to winning and losing. So is his best friend, Xander Schauffele, no matter how nonchalant he appears beneath that look that oozes California chill.

Daniel Berger? He made his team debut in the Presidents Cup in 2017, when the U.S. crushed the International side so badly it was a match away from clinching before getting to singles. Berger showed no mercy and about as much class when he said, “I hope that we close them out today and we go out there tomorrow and beat them even worse.”

The Ryder Cup had been decided for well over an hour Sept. 26 at Whistling Straits.

Berger was in the final match, which was meaningless except for the official score.

He was 1 down to Matt Fitzpatrick until winning two of the last three holes to get the point.

“One thing we all share in common is we hate losing,” Schauffele said.

ASHLEY LANDIS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Team USA captain Steve Stricker poses with the trophy after the Ryder Cup matches at the Whistling Straits Golf Course on Sept. 26 in Sheboygan, Wis.