So What Does It All Mean?

The other four participants of the U.S. Ryder Cup crew are now known. In case you ignored it, here they are:

• Steve Stricker
• Brandt Snedeker
• Dustin Johnson
• Jim Furyk

I had them all but Furyk. We now know that Stricker and Furyk were the "locks" on the team, as Davis said the rest of the team had been unanimous about them for some time. We know they were chosen for their experience, and we know that when Davis told Jim to remember that he was only two strokes from making the team on points -- the two strokes that cost him the U.S. Open and the WGC-Bridgestone -- he was saying that getting into position to win had actually meant as much as if he had won. No one else had gotten anywhere near that close.

Likewise, we understand that DJ and Sneds performed their manner onto the team through playing so properly below stress in the course of damage-shortened seasons. In truth, all 4 men had played more always over the previous couple of months than any of the alternative possibles.

So, how does this group healthy up in opposition to the Euros? It's possibly quite lightly matched. Let me simply go away you with this idea to ponder over the subsequent couple of weeks:

To pay attention to all of the observation, you'll assume that the U.S. Crew has been a bad team for the last couple of many years. The word is that the Euros have received four of the final five Cups. That last is certainly a fact.. But it doesn't mean the teams have without a doubt been that a long way aside.

You'll pay attention about how the Euros have blown the U.S. Out of the water. That has indeed came about a few instances... However the U.S. Has some blowouts of its own.

Let me provide you with a slightly distinct view of the state of affairs, one that I suppose explains the REAL purpose why the Ryder Cup has grow to be this sort of popular event.

Here's a listing of all of the Ryder Cup consequences due to the fact that its inception. I'm going to consciousness on the maximum recent ones, however it's well worth noting that, after WWII, the suits had been quite lopsided until 1979 whilst Jack Nicklaus suggested the Euro group be expanded from just Great Britain and Ireland to grow to be the Euro crew. The 1990s seemed a chunk contentious absolutely because both aspects have been getting used to the brand new stability of power -- the Euros had been feeling the intoxicating results of victory and the U.S. Turned into feeling the disappointment the Euros had felt for see you later. The actual turning point wasn't 1999, as many might have you assume, however 2001. The terrorist assaults at the U.S. Reminded anybody that this changed into just a recreation. It didn't hurt that more players from each side were playing the other tours and getting to know each other better.

Here's my contention, one that never gets talked about: The home team SHOULD win the Ryder Cup. After all, they have all the advantages -- home turf, home crowd, and the ability to set up the course. The onus is on the visiting team to steal one.

Looked at from this perspective, the Ryder Cup has been pretty a great deal what you'd assume. And meaning the "statistics" cited in advance tell you a far distinctive story:

• Since 2002 -- that's all the Cups played this century -- the home team has won all but once. Europe won at Oakland Hills in Michigan in 2004. Call this century 1-up to the Euros.
• Those contentious 1990s? The home team holds court all but twice. In 1993 the U.S. won at the Belfry (England), and in 1995 Europe won at Oak Hill (NY). Call that decade even.
• In the 1980s when the change was made? The U.S. won at Walton Heath (England) in 1981, the Euros won at Muirfield Village (OH) in 1987, and the 1989 match at the Belfry was a tie so the Euros kept the Cup at home. Call the 1980s even.
• And in 1979 -- the first year with continental Europe involved -- the U.S. won at the Greenbrier (WV). Home court successfully held.

So, what's the score? For the final 16 Cups -- over 3 decades, people! -- the Euro group is handiest 1-up.

I assume it is safe to say that the Americans are the favorite this time round (domestic courtroom benefit)... And in the event that they DO win, it might not trade the rating. "Away" wins are what be counted, and the Euros will still be as a minimum 1-up either manner.

But will the U.S. actually hold home court this time around? Well, that's where the fun is, isn't it? ;-)