Ryder Cup Observations....

First of all ...THANK YOU Stewart Cink for shutting up Sergio!!!! As for the rest...well...nothing unexpected. As for the Team aspect. The Euros are NOT a team, meaning that because they comprise the European Nations rather than one Nation, and they do not nor do they need to play as team or at least with that burden. The US Team is our National Team and therefor carries a much larger burden. I will not go as far as to say this is why the US lost, but I now see the difference in the "Team" aspect of the Ryder Cup. You could see it in the faces and demeanors of the Euros all weekend, they had NO pressure at all. Hats off to the Euros and their stellar play. For the US to win in the future they will have to change the mindset of a National burden and start thinking about having a good time with 12 of their best friends. Just my thoughts....yours?

See below

Exactly, and it's not like Sergio played bad - Cink had played really well.

THank you - was yours truly who made that point. And yes it absolutely has some truth in it. You could see all through the weekend how much the Europeans wanted to win, and do it for each other. You could see in the celebrations afterwards how well they all get along - yes it's easy to celebrate a win, but do you think that the US would have been quite as enthusiastic? A couple of them maybe, but not Tiger, probably not Furyk.

It's a strange one, all weekend ho looked to me as though he wanted to be anywhere BUT at the K Club. About the only smile we saw all weekend was when Stevie lost his nine iron into the river..!!! (That was quite funny)

I wonder if someone can answer this - is it a requirement of a US member of the PGA Tour that they play in the RC if they qualify?

Yep, the cameraderie on the European team was cool to watch. I was actually jealous. I got the distinct sense that these guys actually enjoyed each others' company.

We used to have that going for us, back in the Azinger/Jacobson/Pavin/etc. era. And even though the caliber of player we have today may be better, they're not exactly "backyard-barbecue-at-my-place" kinda guys.

After Clarke finished up, I was watching him hugging his teammates, and it was a very emotional experience for all of them. My wife looked over at me and asked, "Can you imagine Phil and Tiger hugging after a round?"

She had a point...

This was painful to watch. The U.S. boys couldn't gain any traction.

I think had the United States put some points on the board we'd have seen a more jovial, happy, and cohesive team. I don't know how any of us could expect the United States to enjoy themselves when they're having their asses handed to them. Poor play doesn't equal enjoyment.

When and if the United States plays well at the Ryder Cup we'll see more cohesive team, they'll seem like they're enjoying themselves, and they will start to bond. I can't blame them for being sour.

Johnson's hole in one was nice but it was like a cherry on a turd.

It amazes me that the top three players in the world play so tight when the Ryder Cup rolls around. I think they know they're going to lose. Something like that anyway.

Tiger can't get on a roll in alternate shot because he's relying on someone else. Why does Furyk have to hit balls into the water during key moments of the Ryder Cup?! Ugh.

Europe deserves the win.

I liked Furyk's quote that went something like, "Everyone wants answers and there's nobody up here who can give you one."

The fact is the U.S. was outplayed by Europe. Why? It's almost fruitless to speculate. But here are some thoughts:

Tiger Woods is the best player in the world and a supreme match player. But he is not a team player. His team play record in the Ryder Cup is abysmal.

Mickelson is not a world ranked player after mid-August. Did he prepare for the Ryder Cup the same way he does for a major? No. Thanks, Phil.

Furyk's failures are simply inexplicable. Losing to Casey, the hottest player in the world right now is understandable. But he just didn't get the same vibe going with Woods. Failure fed failure.

There's too much a social, economic and status chasm within the U.S. team to foster the shared joy of the Europeans. The second day, I believe, Verplank talked about looking up at the leaderboad and seeing nothing but blue in the "premier" U.S. matchups and what effect that had on him and the others. Woods may have taken Henry, Wetterich and Taylor to dinner, but those guys know they didn't have Michael Jordan winking at them from the gallery. I'd love to know if they all flew home together. I bet not.

During the Saturday team matches it occured to me that we'd have been better off sending a team of the top 12 money winners on the Nationwide Tour to do battle. They can play. They know pressure. And they're used to going low or going home. They are birdie machines because that's the only way they can survive and move on to the PGA Tour. The top guys on tour... they're no longer playing for a livelihood, and apparently, don't know how to summon their best when they don't personally take home the money and the trophy.

Every member of this team should be slammed in the press for their performance. Will that happen? I don't think so. They stunk. But the golfing press is much too timid to take on the top guys because they know they'll be cut off. Woods, Mickelson and Furyk, among others, don't need the press. And that sets up a situation where they're never held accountable to the degree they deserve.

Finally I don't blame Lehman all that much. He could be second guessed on a couple of counts, but he didn't miss crucial putts and consistently hit balls into the water. Of everyone involved, I feel saddest for him.

The thing is, they weren't cohesive even before the start. You could see it on their faces. They are just NOT a unit like the Europeans. And if you don't really want to be there a la Tiger, subconciously that'll work against you.

And it was Verplank who had the HIO wasn't it?

Sergios incredulous attitude especially on 14 while playing Cink got under my skin. His demeanor was condecending as if to say "Who in the hell are you to sink all these 20 footers"....I appreciated Stewart Cinks tenacity and fire by shutting Sergio down. Thanks for the one memorable match Stewart...great captains choice pick.

Sorry but i think u r very unfair on Clarke he has just losed his wife but yet he comes out and does what he has 2 do and beat whats infront of him and he did and i think the Euro team, was a team and not like the US they looked spilt from each other! do u not think?

Actually my main impression is just how fine the line between victory and defeat was. The Americans actually hit a lot of really good shots. The spectacular shots, 40 foot put chip ins, etc. were about 12 to two. Turn that ratio around and the US wins. The difference really was about 10 spectacular shots. The other thing is Mickelson. The man was an anchor. If he is not willing to prepare properly, fake an injury and stay home next time. I was proud of Dimarco he fought all the way to the end, even not playing his best golf. We need more like him.

From this side of the Pond...

A great weekend all round

Sergio is great for the Ryder Cup but as in the singles he finds the temptation to overplay too much and this may well cost him a Major. Arrogant, maybe but who at the top of the tree isn't - Woods? Mickelson? Monty?

Team spirit counts for a lot but at the end of the day Europe has more strength in depth now even if the USA does have the Top 3 in the world. Woods played awful until Saturday afternoon when suddenly it all began to click. He may not enjoy it but at least he tries - not sure Mickelson was all that bothered.

One point briefly mentioned earlier. The Americans get paid very well for being mediocre week in week out. They expect Tiger to win and settle for a good cheque for coming down the field. The European Tour is more competitive and less financially rewarding so performance and finishing position matter much more. Does this account for the lack of fight in one to ones?

I reckon 2008 will be a true judge of how the USA responds to this turnaround. Another defeat on home soil and calls for Europe aginst the Rest of the World (Els, Singh, Goosen etc) will increase. Then I think it will lose it's appeal as although I can just about get behind Europe once every 2 years how many Americans will be happy to get behind a R.O.W team?

More of the spirit and fight of Nicklaus, Trevino etc without the arrogance and vitriol of Azinger and 2008 will be a fantastic contest. I can't wait.

I really can't say a whole lot about The Ryder Cup because I'm pretty bitter still. I never thought a golf tournament could put me in a crappy mood, but it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It's kinda sad actually.

Like allin said, the Americans hit a lot of great shots, but they were simply outplayed by the opposition. I would rather give credit to the Europeans instead of taking away from the Americans. It wasn't the bad play of the U.S. It was the great play of Europe.

The more the U.S. side loses, the bigger the event gets over here though. It's crazy, but the Americans are going to be CRAZY by the time the 2008 Ryder Cup rolls around. That scene might get a little hostile quite frankly. Let's just hope Ryan Moore, J.B. Holmes, Sean O'Hair, etc. end up moving up in the top 20 or top 30 in the world. We need some fresh stars.

That is the best thing I have heard yet. Pefect assessment. The Nationwide players would be a load of fun to watch in that setting, and they wouldn't have to fake anything, it would be genuine.

Jeff

common trasherguy, at the end of the day it's only a game,

you know what, next time you guys will win this thing and you'll be happy then. I mean it's a relative, for us euro"trash" its nice, but don't be bitter man no use.....

Really? Was he any worse than DiMarco when he was holing long putts to get back in the match with Westwood?

Probably not - they both pump themselves up the same way. It wasn't condescending on either part, just emotions which in this age of very stoic golfers is a refreshing change. And Sergio was trying to become the first EVER European to win all 5 of his matches.

In looking down road to next Ryder Cup.
Change qualification process.
Here how I would do it (Using my own made up #).

Players earn pts for top 5 finishes . In year before cup-
Regular tour event: 5)10 pts 4)20 pts 3)30 pts 2)20 pts 1)50 pts
Majors/TPC Sawgrass: 5)20 pts 4)40 pts 3)60 pts 2)80 pts 1)100 pts

Cup year:
Regular tour event: 5)15 pts 4)30 pts 3)45 pts 2)60 pts 1)75 pts
Majors/TPC Sawgrass: 5)40 pts 4)60 pts 3)90 pts 2)120 pts 1) 150 pts

Non-cup year, corresponding finish, top 5 in majors/TPC worth double points of regular tour event.

Cup year, corresponding finish, top 5 in regular tour event worth 1.5X
> than non-cup year.

Cup year, corresponding finish, top 5 in major/TPC worth 1.5X > than
non-cup year.

In other words, majors carry more weight than regular tour events.
Regular tour event wins during cup year weigh more than non-cup year.

Went back to 1996/1997 and 1998/1999 to find out how many US players
would've met my criteria.

Love, Leonard and Lehman were 3 top players in 1997-1998 and all made the Ryder Cup team.

Without knowing their record on the regular tour 1997-1998, my points system would've meant that:
Mark Brooks (97 PGA champ, top 5 British)
Tommy Tolles (Top 5 1997 PGA, Top 5 1998 Masters, Top 5 1998 US Open

These 2 workmanlike players would've earned significant Ryder Cup Points
(without knowing all players regular tour record for those 2 years)

No point system is perfect, but this what I thought would help to better discriminate who the best American players might be for the next Ryder Cup.

Both Ryder Cup captains have a fair degree of control over 2 things:
a. Helping his players prepare for the golf course.
b. Managing the non-golf issues/distractions before the match. Pairings while all of us like to draft them; success is mostly a matter of who executes their shots better.

During the age of all “big 4” EU players (Ballesteros, Faldo, Langer, Olazabal) none had much success at PGA championship.

Ballesteros
1983: T-27; 1984: 5; 1985: T-32; 1986: Cut; 1987: T-10; 1988: Cut, 1989: T-12

Faldo
1983: Cut; 1984: T-20; 1985: T-54; 1986: Cut; 1987: T-28; 1988: 5; 1989: T-9

Langer
1985: T-32; 1986 Cut; 1987: T-21; 1988: Cut; 1989: T-61

Olazabal
1987: Cut; 1989 Cut

So, the home captain has another weapon in his arsenal, its course set-up.
My course set-up:

Fairway width: 30 – 35 yards wide. Green speeds: 11 – 12 on Stimp meter.
Rough height: 1.25 intermediate cut, 2.5 primary cut.
Bunkers: furrowed a la Oakmont.
Use Kerry Haigh who (sets up course for PGA Championship) let him go to work.

These 4 factors set-up this way would give the US a home course advantage.

Europe still wins, but hey, try getting any fair edge you can.

5 courses I would like to see the Ryder Cup played on:
Turnberry, County Down, El Saler, Riviera, Inverness