Ryder Cup Preview

Almost two years ago today, Chicago was the epicenter of the sporting world on a Sunday afternoon in September. It wasn’t because the Bears were starting their regular season with dreams of Jay Cutler hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. It wasn’t because the Bulls were preparing for a full season with Derrick Rose, and it certainly wasn’t because the Cubs were making a September push for the playoffs.

Medinah Country Club was rocking because the Americans were giving Europe the business. Chants of “Bubb-ah!” and “U-S-A” were resounding with 350-yard bombs, and you would have thought Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson were going to slap each other’s hands right off. America had a dominating 10-6 lead, and the country was ready for our boys to take back the Ryder Cup for the 26^th time.

Then, “The Miracle at Medinah” happened. Ian Poulter made 100 birdies, Rory McIlroy beat Keegan Bradley after literally rolling out of bed, and Martin Kaymer sunk a putt on the 17^th hole to steal the Ryder Cup right out from Team USA’s hands. The United States don’t get a left hook to the face very often—but we did that fateful Sunday afternoon. To make things worse, you don’t get a chance at redemption very quickly in the Ryder Cup. You have to wait 2 long, almost unbearable, years.

But, it is finally time. The Americans have been waiting for this moment for what seems like an eternity, and they packed their best punch by naming Tom Watson the team captain. Watson captained the last US squad to win a Ryder Cup on European soil (way back in 1993). He also boasts a 10-4-1 record as a player, so he knows how to win on golf’s biggest stage. Boy, oh boy, it is time for revenge.

Well, somebody forgot to remind the American golfers. Jordan Spieth shot an 81 last week and Phil did not once finish in the top half of the leaderboard during the FedEx Cup. Rickie Fowler and Jim Furyk are the only two golfers on the USofA who you could argue are playing well right now. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy looks like Tiger Woods’ second coming and Sergio Garcia is putting up more Top 10 finishes than if Kate Upton were on a “Wet T-Shirt Contest” tour.

Europe is a heavy favorite, with Vegas giving them a -225 money line that they will retain the cup. Every golf expert on the planet is picking them, and who would blame them? They have star power (4 out of the top 10 golfers in the world are on Europe’s squad) and they just simply do not lose in front of their home fans (again, haven’t lost in 21 years on their turf). Their players are a combined 69-42-18 (62%) in Ryder Cup play. The Americans are 45-52-19(46%). All signs point to Europe hoisting the little gold trophy.

Not so fast, my friend.

I believe the Americans have a lot more going for them than the experts think. First of all, Europe picked a course (Gleneagles) that was designed by Jack Nicklaus. It is a very “American” course, with plenty of green fairways, tree-lines, and water hazards. You aren’t going to tune in at 3am Friday morning and see brown fairways like The Open Championship. You’re going to think you are in the middle of Ohio enjoying a golf round at Muirfield Village. There are plenty of long par 3s and 5s which will favor the Americans’ length, and a few Par 4s that may be drive-able for the young American guns. Yes, European Captain Paul McGinley is trying to grow the rough out and put in some European touches around the course which will favor his boys. But, bottom line, you could not have picked a better European course for the Americans than one that was designed by The Golden Bear.

Secondly, Match Play rewards the players who can “go low.” Pars don’t win fourball, foursome, or singles match play matches. You want players who can bomb it, scramble when necessary, and put the ball in the hole. Hey, Europe, check out these 2014 numbers:

• The American players, on average, make 1.4 more birdies per round than the Europeans.
• The USA boys dominate in driving distance and scrambling, averaging more than 15 spots better on PGA Tour’s rankings in both categories. The men in stars and stripes rip the ball, averaging over 300 yards per drive. But when they miss, they can still make birdies in bunches.
• USA’s 12 guys, on average, rank 18.9 spots better in total putting than the Europeans on the PGA Tour (8 players).

Sure, the Europeans rank 9.9 spots better than the Americans in driving accuracy. But who cares? Grow that rough out, McGinley— our much younger team can muscle it out of there no problem.

Finally, we have more motivation for a victory than any other Ryder Cup team in recent memory. 2012 was brutal—but 2010 was also a heart breaker after Hunter Mahan chunked a chip on the 18^th hole to leave USA’s comeback aspirations just barely short. Golf is a mental game—and these patriots have a lot of motivation to keep them extra focused this week.

So, dust off your Ian Poulter dartboards. Find that Bruce Springsteen album that is tucked somewhere behind your red, white, and blue swag. Get the skillet ready to go, and grab your favorite 12-pack of Sam Adams. Because at 3am this Friday morning, Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson will be chest bumping, Bubba Watson will be fist pumping, and Rickie Fowler will be euro-thumping. The Americans are going to take back what they should’ve seized in 2012.

Payback’s a bitch.

– David Clark