Earlier today the Europeans made Ryder Cup history by coming back from a four point deficit on Sunday to retain the Ryder Cup. Was it stellar play by the Europeans or a monumental collapse by the US squad? I think it was a little bit of both, but if I had to lean one way I’d have to say the US choked it away. Below are some random observations from yours truly over the three days.
Random Ryder Cup observations:
- Before the matches even began I found myself complaining that the event was only three days and that it should be four. After today’s stressful finish, I’m not entirely sure I could take four days of it, and neither could the players I’m guessing.
- Keegan Bradley is one excitable guy huh? He was very fun to watch in all of his matches, and I really thought that he was going to mount a comeback against Rory and finish with a 4-0 record. As a Ryder Cup rookie, a 3-1 record is pretty outstanding in its own right. The 26 year old has many Ryder Cups ahead of him and I can only hope he’ll keep that same intensity and boyhood excitement.
- How cool was it to see Jason Dufner actually show some signs of life after making some big putts and win his match on Sunday. The usually stoic Dufner, never so much as gives a smirk on the course. He once said, “I don’t like stress because stress stresses me out”. I’m not sure how he could have avoided any stress this week, but he seemed to handle it just fine.
- Did Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods really combine for an 0-7 record? Yes, they did and it was painful to watch. I really thought Tiger was going to pull one of his old school charges on Sunday against Molinari, but that kid had no back down in him at all. The shot that Molinari hit in to 16 was phenomenal and he deserved to make that putt!
- I’m not sure how much more heartbreak Jim Furyk can take before he just hangs up his soft spikes. He again fell apart down the stretch, and handed the match to Sergio Garcia. The look on Sergio’s face looked like pity and guilt for winning the match.
- We’ve seen the last of Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk in Ryder Cup action. Both in their mid 40s now, unless they make the team on points (which 2 years from now will be doubtful), I can’t see another captain making the mistake of picking them. I was all for the selections, but who could have foresaw that they’d lose six matches between the two of them.
- I seriously saw history repeating itself for a minute, when Martin Kaymer was standing over his six footer on 18. Another German, another six footer, another Ryder Cup on the line. It was good to see him hit the putt because he deserved to win the match.
- There is a silver lining in this loss for the US squad… There is so much great young US talent that I think their team will be pretty strong quite a while. Players like Bradley, Simpson, and Dustin Johnson, all in their mid to late 20s will be headlining Ryder Cups for many years going forward.
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