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2014 Ryder Cup Recap and Highlights

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The 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles ended with Team Europe on the winning end of a 16.5 to 11.5-point rout. The Europeans needed only four points in Sunday’s singles matches to secure a victory, which they accomplished when Jamie Donaldson closed out Keegan Bradley 4 & 3.

Below is a recap of the excitement, entertainment and competition that the 2014 Ryder Cup gave to fans and viewers all weekend.

DAY 1

The Ryder Cup began in familiar style as the autumn sunshine kissed the Scottish heartlands. The four-ball matches began bright and early (really early for viewers back in the states) on Friday morning and both Europe and the U.S. gave the 50,000-person crowd plenty to cheer about. The Europeans put in a strong performance, but it was not enough to lead after the first session as the Americans edged it 2.5-1.5. The players took some time to adapt to the slow pace of the greens but there was still plenty to marvel at, particularly the bunker play of Sergio Garcia…

…and U.S. debutant Jimmy Walker.

However, it was not the brilliant performance we’ve come to expect from Europe’s “Postman” Ian Poulter as he and rookie Stephen Gallacher lost 5 & 4 to the impressive rookie duo Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. Poulter was fumbling around on the greens on Day 1.

But Spieth and Reed were the stars of the day for the U.S. and more than repaid Tom Watson’s faith in them. They looked focused, passionate and shared a great connection all day to blow away Poulter and Gallacher, who failed to gain any momentum. Spieth and Reed staked a claim to be a familiar pairing in Ryder Cups for years to come. Spieth reflected on his satisfaction in silencing the boisterous home fans.

“It was very quiet around our group today- that’s what we were looking for,” Spieth said.

ReedSpieth

But it was a stark contrast in emotions for the more experienced pairing of Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson after being thrashed 5 & 4 by Stenson and Rose. They looked out of sorts and struggled to put a brave face on as they overlooked their compatriots still playing.

View image on Twitter

However, the early American momentum was halted by an emphatic European response in the foursomes, claiming a 3.5-0.5 victory to surge into a 5-3 lead at the completion of Friday’s play. Tom Watson raised a few eyebrows in retaining Mickelson and Bradley for the afternoon over Spieth and Reed, despite their brilliance in the morning. Unfortunately, it backfired for him as Dubuisson and McDowell never looked in danger with Mickelson, in particular, looking jaded and far from his best.

Although the Europeans garnered the acclaim in the afternoon, Rickie Fowler reminded everyone that the US were not to be underestimated and showed his world-class shot-making powers on hole No. 16. An immense shot under the most intense pressure.

https://twitter.com/Adam_Sarson/status/515542896796520448/photo/1

DAY 2

The standard of golf on display throughout Day 2 at the Ryder Cup reminded everyone watching why this tournament is one of the greatest sporting events in the world. Putts were made, roars were heard and the players looked especially pumped up. After failing to get a foothold in Friday’s foursomes, the Team USA was able to claw their back with a 2.5-1.5 victory in Saturday morning’s four-ball matches to take the score to 6.5-5.5 in Europe’s favor. With over 80 birdies and eagles during the course of the morning, there were plenty of talking points and shots of the highest quality.

American ascendancy in the four-ball matches

Spieth

After a winless Friday afternoon, Tom Watson’s men showed their class with a gutsy display in the four-ball sessino and dominated two of the four matches. The rookie pairing of Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed worked wonders once again as they recorded a resounding 5 & 3 victory over Thomas Bjorn and Martin Kaymer. The American pair was in the same imperious form that saw them dispatch Stephen Gallacher and Ian Poulter 5 & 4 on Friday.

The young pair served as inspiration for their compatriots, who followed suit as Team USA edged the four-ball session for the second day running. Jim Furyk and Hunter Mahan overcame Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood to add further red to the board while Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler secured a halve after a titanic tussle with Rory McIlroy and Ian Poulter to strengthen the American renaissance. But watch Ian Poulter’s chip-in on 16 for an indication of how good today’s play was:

OR, Fowler’s magical bunker shot on No. 10.

Sensational play from Rose and Stenson to beat Watson and Kuchar

Morning Fourballs - 2014 Ryder Cup

This four-ball will stand tall in the pantheon of great Ryder Cup matches, amassing a record-breaking combined score of 21-under-par. The American duo managed nine birdies, which may have seen a point delivered on a different day, but Rose and Stenson were not to be outdone. Blazing a trail of unprecedented proportions in the tournament’s history, Europe notched ten consecutive birdies to close out the match in spectacular fashion.

Rose, in particular, was in untouchable form as he lead by example for Europe as their talisman, replacing Ian Poulter after his indifferent form. The U.S. Open Champion of last year delivered at the crucial moment, chipping from the thick rough at 16 to within inches, effectively securing a 3 & 2 victory. Rose was in such superior form that his Swedish partner joked about having to carry the team.

“It was one-half Stenson, one-and-a-half parts Rose,” Stenson said as he came off the course. “Justin played phenomenally all week, and luckily I was there to back him up on a couple of occasions.”

Reed is a competitor 

Screen Shot 2014-09-27 at 2.30.18 PM

Patrick Reed’s emotions and competitiveness were on display all week. On Day 2, he took out his frustrations from this missed putt on the next drive.

Europeans were dominant in foursomes… again 

Justin Rose has lost his mind. (Getty Images)

Team USA was left to reflect on another poor showing in the foursomes after going down 3.5-0.5 for the second time. Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker looked fatigued as they were blown away 5 & 4 by Victor Dubuisson and Graeme McDowell, with the French rookie looking particularly comfortable in his new surroundings.

McIlroy and Garcia got their first win of the week as well by seeing off Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk 3 & 2. The first day had seen both Europeans struggle but they contributed to the blue tide on Saturday afternoon with some solid play and a great display of clutch putting. Justin Rose sunk a six-footer on the No. 18 green to ensure Europe completed both foursome sessions undefeated and made it 10-6 to McGinley’s men heading into Sunday’s singles. Jamie Donaldson and Lee Westwood added to European joy by securing a 2 & 1 victory over Zach Johnson and Matt Kuchar.

Could Team USA repeat the European heroics of Medinah? 

Just like it was in 2012, it was 10-6 to the home team. Tom Watson had an unlikely task ahead of him as he tried to mirror the herculean efforts of Europe at Medinah and overturn the deficit in the singles. If the golden trophy was to travel back across the Atlantic on Monday, the U.S. would need to summon golfing courage and mettle of near miraculous proportions.

DAY 3

As always, it came down to Sunday to decide the winners of the 40th Ryder Cup on what gradually became one of the most exhilarating spectacles in sporting history. In the end, Europe stood firm against a brave American performance in the singles and completed a hat-trick of victories in golf’s greatest team event.

Befitting to the general quality of golf throughout the three days, Welsh rookie Jamie Donaldson pulled a shot out of the top drawer on the 15th to defeat Keegan Bradley and keep the Ryder Cup in Europe for 2 more years.

This is how he delivered the crucial point, a sparkling iron shot to within gimme distance, and a handshake with Keegan Bradley.

Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed delivered admirable performances to get red on the board for the U.S. but the superlative play of McIlroy, Kaymer and Donaldson ensured that no great comeback would leave the home fans heartbroken this year. McDowell and Rose also fought back from 3 and 4 down, respectively, to deliver a vital 1.5 points that forged the way for Donaldson to etch his name into the annals of golfing history.

Donaldson showed everyone how to close out a match, but Kaymer comes a close second with this magnificent effort

Matt Kuchar was not to be outdone however, in a day that provided excellent shot after excellent shot that spoiled the crowd.

While Kuchar did much to cultivate his image as one of the nicest guys in golf by giving a fan an autographed ball after picking it out of the hole, Patrick Reed played more of a Devil’s Advocate to the local Scots. Reed did his best on Sunday to get his troops fired up, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.

Before the U.S. got handled by their European foes, Jim Furyk gave his version of Jose Maria Olazabal’s dance at the 1987 Ryder Cup. Great entertainment all around.

Furyk’s jig may have intimidated Sergio Garcia early (it probably wasn’t the dance), but Garcia forged a comeback, defeating Furyk 1 up. His celebration was… interesting.

In the end, Europe stayed strong. The USA did much to discredit their pre-tournament labeling as underdogs, but came up shy and will have to wait until 2016 to get their hands on the famous golden trophy.

The Europeans were in no mood to delay the party for post-game interviews, as Donaldson demonstrated here:

Well done to both teams for putting on a fantastic spectacle throughout the week and congratulations to Europe on clinching their third successive Ryder Cup. The dust has not yet settled, but the countdown to 2016 has already begun.

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Writer for GolfWRX and aspiring professional sports writer. Recent MA Journalism graduate. Mid-handicap golfer and lover of both PGA & European Tours. Favourite golfing moment was watching Padraig Harrington clinch the '08 PGA over Sergio Garcia. Favourite golfers- Rocco Mediate & Shingo Katayama Further sports writing can be found at These Football Times, Back Page Football and Forza Italian Football.

66 Comments

66 Comments

  1. Jeff

    Sep 29, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    The Ryder Cup is a European event. It matters more to the europeans. The better team won. Why as Americans do we make excuses for losing anything? No shame in losing that’s why they play someone’s got to lose for someone to win

  2. chris franklin

    Sep 29, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Sorry but I don’t buy into the crowd participation thing,spectators should keep it zipped and behave respectfully,paying the price of admission does not buy the right to become part of the eventmthe issue should be decided by who plays the best golf not whose supporters can be most obnoxious and I say this as an Englishman who misses the days of polite applause(or silence)and the gracious behaviour of players like Jack Nicklaus.
    Years ago nobody would have taunted Patrick Reed and it shouldn’t be tolerated and if we’re now into the ‘win at all costs’ scenario then the Ryder Cup is not worth playing for.

    • gplfing

      Sep 29, 2014 at 3:08 pm

      Golf is a Scottish game, this is like the champions final
      “the” great event. The place is packed!!!! GREAT PARTY.

      Now American golf is going under, Mr King and you are sinking
      the ship, Dustin and young people are avoiding the game like never before.

      Viva Europa!!!!!

  3. Jim

    Sep 29, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Let’s stop blaming Tom Watson. The captain picks the clothing and arranges dinners, but not much else. They make it sound like he’s strategizing football coverages. The bottom line is the Americans are 12 individuals and Europe has a team. There’s no fire in most of the American team members and there has to be to win. What happened to strategically giving opposing players putts and/ or making them set up only to give them the putt or vice versa. Absolutely no strategies observed. Wow.

    • Robeli

      Sep 29, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      America played so badly, they didn’t had an opportunity to even try ‘strategizing’ any putts. As for captain’s responsibility, read my link below how McGinley out-managed Tom Watson.

    • gplfing

      Sep 29, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      American golf is like a monarchy where the king “arranges” the picks
      for money (tv), tigersells now the cute Simpson is tv money and hunter is a good brand, we see this all the time.

      Europe is like a democracy where no one is above the line and everyone
      as their input.

    • Joe

      Sep 29, 2014 at 11:48 pm

      I agree the captains seem to be nothing more than glorified personal assistants. I say lets go outside the world of golf and get someone like Barry Switzer.

    • Rich

      Sep 30, 2014 at 9:13 am

      And he should be shamed public ally for the clothing he chose. They were something akin to something that was given to you from your grandma and felt obliged to wear. It was laughable. I laughed every time I saw that sweater with the big Ryder Cup on it or the huge US flag. Laughable

  4. joselo

    Sep 29, 2014 at 11:12 am

    i really enjoyed all 3 days, excellent golf

    wtf happened with the uniforms of the us team? ugh!

  5. jgpl001

    Sep 29, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Phil called it as it was, and I admire that, but he should not have shown such disrespect to Tom Watson in public

    Regardless of Captains, tactics, etc., several Americans just didn’t play – Zach Johnson, Bubba, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar were like wet tissues, sure they are disappointed, but they should look at the passion of Ptrick Reed……all the traits of Paul Azinger or Ray Floyd – I loved those though competitors!!

    Simple advice – America get a captain who pays real attention to the detail and change your selection process to select plays who have real passion – Billy Horschel would have been a real winner, and would probably have won several points

  6. bwoody01

    Sep 29, 2014 at 9:59 am

    First off, I a Bubba Golf fan. However; here might be one reason he got his A$$ handed to him. The US needs to get serious.. just saying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k36olSNT4_E

  7. Jake Anderson

    Sep 29, 2014 at 8:41 am

    Phil Mickelston is just a very poor player who deserves to lose. He is as bad as this other person Bubba Tom Watson. American golf is just not as good as the powerhouse-juggernaut that is Europe.

  8. Wonoo

    Sep 29, 2014 at 8:19 am

    The Highs and Lows of the USA Ryder….Highs Patrick Reed,Jordan Speith, Jimmy Walker,Kuchar/Watson….Stenson/Rose match even in defeat…..Kuchars hole out and autographed ball…European fans and teams class…..The lows for the Eurpean’s ..one minor fan blurting out to Reed on the tee, very minor..for USA very Major…Phil Mickleson’s public disregard and disrespect to Tom Watson in a live press conference….shame shame shame on Mickelson, I hope it is his last Ryder Cup. Win with grace, lose with dignity!!!!!!

  9. jc

    Sep 29, 2014 at 12:04 am

    how come half the euro team lives in flordia? shouldn’t they have to live in the 40 degree summer places and pay huge euro taxes?
    and who in the world plays alternate shot but for this ryder cup?
    that was started back when they were too cheap pay for a ball for each of them.

    and for gods, sake, do not even let bubba watson on another team…he makes fuyrk look like a killer….

    • antonio

      Sep 29, 2014 at 4:18 am

      Defeat always hurts, and we europeans understand it, but no need to show the world your foulness

  10. Mad-Mex

    Sep 28, 2014 at 10:11 pm

    Hate to say it but, Colin Montgomery said it best on the GOLF Channel, the US is NOT a team, it is 12 players against a European TEAM.
    The U.S. Has not had a team in the last 2-3 cups, we have a bunch of prima donas who are not into playing for pride or country, make them offer of cash for a win and I bet they will start playing,,,
    Did anybody notice that the European walked TOGETHER down the fairway and stood TOGETHER on the tee boxes? The U.S. Players? They walked alone with their caddies,,,, what stood out on Montie’s comments was that when Europe flies to the U.S. They fly in the SAME jet not like the Americans in separate flights,,,
    If the U.S. Continues to do the same, might as well just cancel the Ryder Cup and let Europe keep it, because the US players sure as h**l don’t care about it.

    • Ponjo

      Sep 29, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      Monty also said “when I was captain in 2010 I greeted my team at the hotel with the words, Gentlemen, please leave your ego’s at the door and pick them up when the RC is finished”.

      Can the same be said for the US team……..I very much doubt it

  11. snowman

    Sep 28, 2014 at 9:50 pm

    Seems to me the Euros care more, have better chemistry, and play better.

  12. steve

    Sep 28, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    Tom Watson couldnt do a worst job. He gets a F. He lost so the highest he could get is a B and that is generous. His captains picks where bad, not a original idea there. He played Fowler/Walker till they burned out. He couldnt get a thing out of Bubba even though he wasted a pick with Simpson. He seemed lost without a game plan. Couldnt motivate his team and didnt have any leadership skills. He used the same losing game plan from 2 years ago with Bradley and Simpson. And these two players no way belonged on the team. One cried and begged and the other was there for Bubba and Bubba delivered zero. Pga picked the wrong captain, Watson picked the wrong players and gave no direction

  13. Kevin

    Sep 28, 2014 at 9:08 pm

    The European teams have had much better chemistry, both between the players and with the players and their captain. It really shows in the way the pairing are put together and how well they played in the alternate shot. I would have preferred to see some new guys in there like Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel for the USA. Why keep doing the same thing every 2 years? Might have been a better contest with a healthy Tiger and DJ playing for the USA too. Ultimately the Europeans are out playing the Americans in the team format and in the singles now too. Hats off to them.

  14. James

    Sep 28, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    Phil’s blatant disrespect to Tom Watson was very out of order indeed. It was pretty obvious that the big difference between the teams was chemistry and form – not necessarily the Captaincy. Given the even-ness of the fourballs, followed by hammering meted out by Europe to the USA in foursomes, it wasn’t surprising to see some pairings rested on Saturday.

    Dubuisson might also feel upset by being left out of the fourballs on Saturday, having performed so beautifully on the Friday, but winners are grinners, and losers often speak for themselves.

    As for ‘returning’ to the Azinger formula, (i.e. a total lack of sportsmanship – though I do admire his competitiveness) I think that would be a big negative for the USA, and likely to backfire.

    I think Europe showed that fresh combinations often can improve on tried & tested pairings. Simpson & Bradley were very lucky to have been picked at all. And as for Bradley being upset he didn’t play on Saturday – he was lucky he got there at all.

  15. Billy Joe

    Sep 28, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; we need to open it to the Americas in order to make this competitive. Europe vs. the Americas. Graham Deleat would have come in handy.

    • joseph

      Sep 29, 2014 at 10:40 am

      And who else really? Angel Cabrera wouldn’t have earned a spot. Canada would help but only very marginally.

  16. joseph

    Sep 28, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    There isn’t a magic captain that’s going to turn this around. There aren’t different formats, POD’s or whatever that are going to help. The numbers speak for themselves. Losing 9 of the last 13. 3 of them in total blowout fashion. Europe is too strong with too much depth for the Americans to handle. They may be able to compete in a year where everything goes right. I don’t know the ages of the European team, but I would guess that 75% of them are under the age of 35. I don’t see anything changing for the next 10 years.

    • Robeli

      Sep 28, 2014 at 8:45 pm

      Read Paul Azinger’s book, “Cracking the Code: The Winning Ryder Cup Strategy: Make It Work for You”. Maybe somebody should have given it to Tom Watson.

  17. Bernard

    Sep 28, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    I revere both Phil & Tom. Phil did not have his best moment here. Tom did not get the best out of the talent he had on hand. It’s weird the Europeans always seem looser, they are more colorful, they have more fun with it. The Americans seem to get a bit wound up & tight. The US takes it too seriously. Loosen up, it’s golf, not cancer or WWIII.

    • jim

      Sep 28, 2014 at 8:31 pm

      bernard i’m pretty sure you will find most americans are like that all the time, on a golf course or not.

      • Mad-Mex

        Sep 28, 2014 at 11:24 pm

        And if you are loose and enjoying your round, you will be getting some looks,

  18. Larry Scott

    Sep 28, 2014 at 7:51 pm

    Lost all respect for Phil today…..would not walk across the street to meet that jerk.

    • Robeli

      Sep 28, 2014 at 8:34 pm

      No sir. Phil spoke the truth! The truth that nobody else dare say just because it’s Tom Watson. The truth that captain Tom did not realize this is a TEAM sport, not just 12 guys you throw together with instruction to go play golf and follow captain’s orders. Until USA look in the mirror and throw the ego’s out the door (including the captain), work and talk together as a team to discuss team selection, playing partners, etc., the Europeans will have the time of their lives every two years. Your remark is so typical American to pat the looser on the back with ‘well done’, instead if honestly look at it and say how they sucked as a team, and that INCLUDES the captain.

      • Mad-Mex

        Sep 28, 2014 at 10:12 pm

        I agree 100% with you Robeli, seems now days nobody wants the truth, they just want “positive reinforcement “

      • Salmonhead

        Sep 29, 2014 at 11:25 am

        You speak of team. There where 11 of the 12 members that flew together on the TEAM chartered flight. Guess who was missing. Phil. You want to change the culture of this team then get rid of the losing culture. Need to get rid of Phil, Keegan (Phil’s puppet), Jim, Hunter, and Matt. That is how you change culture. I would love nothing more than to change to a year point system and make a youth movement.

  19. Kyle W

    Sep 28, 2014 at 7:35 pm

    I was a little frustrated with not seeing Tom Watson talking to hardly any of the guys throughout the whole thing. I mean sure, let the guys play they are professionals but you cant say a little pep talk here and there from Watson wouldnt have helped some of the guys. USA just didnt seem too concerned with winning this year, just seemed kinda blahhh. Only fist pumps or emotion I saw all weekend was from the young guys. Ah well, Europe has the fire in their bellies to win this thing every time so thats why they do win.

  20. Joseph

    Sep 28, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    I think they have to seriously look at the format of this great event. I will be curious to know what the tv ratings play out to be. As a huge golf fan, my interest is starting to wane. Too many lopsided outcomes last 15 years. I think they overdid it including all of Europe. What about alternating Western Europe and Eastern Europe every other year? Europes population is twice what America is. It’s simply a numbers game. Go back and look at the data since they made the change. I don’t think the Americans have dominated a single event while Europe has crushed the US at least 5 times. There no shame in leveling this out. As a golf fan, you want the matches to be competitive and entertaining and right now they aren’t even close to being that.

    • ridi

      Sep 28, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      wt blam? nobody plays golf here in europe, you have 25 million players. this is the most stupid idea ever, of course its coming from the losers/americans. So what happens when us wins the next one? europeans complaining and saying us should play without texas and california?

      • joseph

        Sep 28, 2014 at 7:57 pm

        So the US lets all of Europe in on the fun to make the Ryder Cup relevant again back in the 80’s. Europe has won 9 of the last 13 and many of them in landslide fashion. As I said earlier, the event is starting to lose interest. All golf fans should want competitive matches that are closely contested. I don’t know what the answer is….but something needs to be looked at.

        • Robeli

          Sep 29, 2014 at 9:00 am

          Based on the crowd at Gleneagles, I doubt the interest is waiving – maybe just shifted. Also, the 2012 Ryder Cup in US had the highest TV and attendance ratings EVER!

    • Robeli

      Sep 28, 2014 at 8:40 pm

      Typical American. Can’t beat other team fair and square, so let’s try altering the format to benefit them. For that matter, why not just play Fourball format, for that is only format the Americans can play. Pathetic.

      • joseph

        Sep 28, 2014 at 9:02 pm

        I guess it was “typically American” for us to expand the format back in the 80’s to allow for all of Europe b/c the matches had become non competitive. Why does the same not hold true today? Its been 30 years of Euro dominance.

        • Colin Gillbanks

          Sep 29, 2014 at 4:51 am

          You’re missing the point, Joseph. There are far more golfers in the USA than there are across Europe, regardless of their respective populations. What about the Presidents Cup? The USA plays against the rest of the world, but because you have a good record in that event, there’s no mention of changing that format?

          And the Ryder Cup is the third biggest worldwide sporting event behind the Olympics and football World Cup, so there’s clearly no lack of general interest.

          You guys have fantastic golfers that need to play a little better once every two years. That’s what it comes down to when all’s said and done.

          • Robeli

            Sep 29, 2014 at 8:50 am

            America has the resources, so no need to change the format. They thought by picking Tom Watson as captain, the European team will shiver and bow just because it’s Tom. Tom didn’t had a game plan – plain and simple – as he said in the news conference – he thought his 2 main responsibilities was to make 3 captain picks and decide who the pairings will be. WOW! No wonder they lost.

          • joseph

            Sep 29, 2014 at 10:50 am

            Who else would you like for the International Team to add? That’s some good stuff.

            More golfers in the US…ok. How many of them are over the age of 50 and are totally irrelevant to the conversation?

            Europe is almost 2.5 times the size of the US. They have a much larger pool of talent to pull from.

            Almost all of their good players come to the States to play college golf and hone their skills.

            Look at GB&I now. They could put together a team to compete with the US very easily. McElroy, Westwood, Poulter, Rose, McDowell, Gallagher, Donaldson, Donald.

      • Derek

        Sep 28, 2014 at 9:40 pm

        I agree. As a canadian, having only 30-32 million people in our country, vs the Americans who have over 300 million… and yet we still dominate Hockey to this day…

        I don’t see how this excuse makes any sense at all. As you say, typical American making excuses for their bad performance…

        The total population of Europe is 740 million. America is 314 million. But when you take into consideration the actual number of countries who actually golf and can produce good golfers. Vs the number of total golfers around the world and that American golfers represent a majority in that figure… Then this excuse is completely unfounded crybaby BS. No offense.

        Of course you’d like to change the format back to a format where Americans were winning more because golf was more prevalent in the US and it was only starting to bud worldwide…

        • joseph

          Sep 29, 2014 at 10:31 pm

          What are all these excuses that the Americans make? Why are we cry baby’s? Please educate me, I would love to know. The jealousy and clear hatred for America makes no sense to me. Please go back and read my comments. I think lopsided results are bad for the Cup….period. They were bad the first 50 years and they have been bad for the last 25 years. You cant argue the facts. Clear domination by the Europe since the change in the 80’s. Hockey analogy? Just stupid. No none plays hockey in the US at the youth level unless you live in the Northeast. Kids play soccer, football, basketball, baseball etc….all before they even think about picking up a golf club.

          • Colin Gillbanks

            Sep 30, 2014 at 4:40 am

            Your point about the size and population of Europe as compared to the USA is misleading. Are you including Russia as part of Europe? Poland? Greece? etc etc ? The vast majority of Ryder cup players are from the UK and Ireland then there’s the Scandianvians, Spanish, Germans,Italians and a couple of Frenchmen (apologies if i’ve missed any others!).

            If you restrict your argument to the European countries where golf is widely played (and it’s not even the case that it’s especially popular in several of those that have contributed ‘major’ players like Seve, Olazabal, Langer, Kaymer etc), then the USA still outnumbers the European golfer pool enormously.

            Compare, say, the number of Europeans to the number of Americans in the top 100 of the World rankings and you’ll have all the defintive evidence you’ll need. Try comparing the differential in major championships and WGC events also.

            Case closed.

          • bradford

            Sep 30, 2014 at 12:41 pm

            Case opened again due to lack of actual numbers–you mentioned 5 other countries, each of whom was represented by a high scoring member of EU team–do you not see how that is contrary to the point you tried to make? Of course it’s unbalanced. I honestly don’t care, but to wear the Ryder cup feather in your hat as a trophy, especially when the US team was as weak as it was this year(don’t get me wrong, we got outplayed)–should be a bit embarrassing.

  21. NBC should be fired

    Sep 28, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    1. NBC should be shot. THE WORST coverage possible, they had no idea how to keep up with all the goings on out there on the course, so many teams’ shots were skipped for the sake of wanting to stay “Live” yet the channel couldn’t even be bothered to show video footage of something that happened on a different hole with the group ahead or behind, so the viewer never really got to see anything unfold. Whatever happened to split screen, or double screen, or picture-in-picture that we’ve seen in the past? NBC should sell the Golf Channel to somebody who knows what they are doing.
    2. Watson’s captain’s picks did nothing. Should’ve taken Horschel, Kirk and Ryan Moore.
    3. All the crying and gripe about slow greens made the US announcers sound like a bunch of pansies, and did not help the “Pros” from the US any either. They’re Pros – so they should be able to adapt to the conditions, and look – it’s only a foot slower!!!! Come on!
    4. Patrick Reed deserves an extra special medal – he played awesome, and represented the American spirit and winning attitude and showed his skills.
    5. Americans (and not just the players but the entire country) need to learn to get along with each other and play as a team. You can’t moan about the Europeans – they all come from different countries with different languages and cultures and climate – and yet they are able to play together and get along with each other. Americans are living up to their selfish etiquette – living in the bubbles of their own cars and not having enough camaraderie.

    • bradford

      Sep 30, 2014 at 12:34 pm

      oh there was picture in picture…it was just Feherty or some other useless interview. Half the coverage was like watching people watch golf.

      • Colin Gillbanks

        Oct 1, 2014 at 4:14 am

        Bradford,

        My point about numbers and population wasn’t contrary at all. Golf is a relative minority sport in countries like Germany and Spain, played by few people relative to their populations and the media coverage there is non-existent. There are huge swathes of Europe where golf has no profile whatsoever. All those Russian guys have made a massive contribution to Team Europes domination, haven’t they?

        If we want this thing to be ‘fair’ using your logic, should we go back to GB & Ireland vs USA, but you have to nominate a US state with the same size population as GB & I to pick your players from? Come on, it’s a ridiculous argument.

        And how many times have the European team been, man for man, the weaker team on paper only to still come out on top? it’s only been maybe the last 2 or 3 Ryder Cups where we’ve had comparable depth throughout the 12 players on each team. Europe had 2 players that only managed a half point between them for heavens sake!!

        As for your feather in the hat remark, that just comes across as sour grapes, I’m sorry to say. It does you no credit whatsoever.

  22. Matt

    Sep 28, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    Whilst I was only watching on TV, I was amazed to see the lack of US support for Jordan Spieth; as the wheels came off, where was the US captain or one of the vice captains to offer the appropriate support – had that match stayed “red”, it may well have made a big impact. That said, as a european fan, “get in”!!!!

    • Matt

      Sep 28, 2014 at 10:37 pm

      Andy North was there with Spieth.

      • Matt

        Sep 30, 2014 at 12:09 pm

        If that’s so, and you’re not the first to intimate that, what on earth was he doing, where was the “arm around the shoulder”, or the words of experience to help him through a game he had dominated and was still in with a chance – pretty poor in my view and maybe, just maybe, endemic of a lot of these posts.

  23. chris franklin

    Sep 28, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    I hope someone apologised to Patrick Reed for the disgraceful behaviour of the so-called ‘fans’ who booed when he made a putt to win a hole and I hope that there’s not going to be a witch-hunt over Tom Watson’s captaincy,he was as gracious as ever and is a legend so quit whining Phil!

    • Ponjo

      Sep 28, 2014 at 5:18 pm

      Hey Chris. That sort of stuff always goes on in the Ryder Cup. As a European I would stay quiet when Reed is playing as it obviously fires him up. The guy had/has balls of steel

    • John

      Sep 28, 2014 at 6:20 pm

      Definitely wouldn’t say it was disgraceful, from watching previous Ryder Cup’s and actually being there on Friday, all the booing and so forth was just banter tbh and both sides dished it out(more so from us euros), just the nature of the event and something makes the atmosphere and event so fantastic for both sides. Let’s be honest here, Reed did get a kick out of the crowd tho, really spurred him on to play some fantastic golf.

    • Rwj

      Sep 28, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      You don’t question Watson’s picks? Simpson nor Bradley were doing anything well this entire season. I believe Bradley was picked for Mickelson, and Simpson because he’d been there before. I believe recent play needs to dictate, not past pairings. It just didn’t seem like Tom really cared like the European captain. Phil was a little too whiny, but not all points were invalid

    • Robeli

      Sep 28, 2014 at 8:42 pm

      As if Americans doesn’t do the same when playing on American soil!

    • Kevin

      Sep 29, 2014 at 4:19 am

      Reed, sssshed the crowd when he holed his birdie putt straight after Stenson’s ….. They actaully applauded to start with. Maybe if some of the rest of the American Team showed Reed’s passion the result may of been closer or different ….. Still to beat the behaviour of the entire American Team who ran all over the line of Olazabal’s putt when he still had to putt after Justin Lenoard (forget the course) !!!

      • Kevin

        Sep 29, 2014 at 5:56 am

        I also think Mickleston’s comments are not just aimed at this Ryder Cup but the last 3 Cups Azinger was the last winning Captain and that’s what he is comparing against. We’ll never really know for sure what goes on in the Team rooms, one can only surmise

        Well done Europe and America for playing some truely amazing golf again, great Ryder Cup looking forward to 2016.

    • Colin Gillbanks

      Sep 29, 2014 at 4:55 am

      Apparently someone in the crowd heckled Reed on the first hole and his ‘shhh’ gesture later on was a reaction to that. The crowd on that hole wouldn’t have been aware of what had happened earlier and booed because Reed’s reaction seemed a little over the top and inflammatory.

      I guess if you dish it out, you have to take it back too? That goes for the player and the crowd.

      • Robeli

        Sep 29, 2014 at 8:56 am

        If you listen to Reed’s comments afterwards, he had no gripe with the crowd – he actually used it to spur him on – wish rest of team did the same. I am not a Reed fan, but I tipped my hat to Reed this weekend. He was awesome. Just think what the result would have been if not for him.

        • Colin Gillbanks

          Sep 29, 2014 at 10:16 am

          yeah, I was a bit irritated with him after that until I heard what had gone on earlier. I think he’s one of those guys who gets under peoples skin – a bit like Monty or Poulter for Europe.

          He played great over the 3 days for the USA and looks to be someone who’ll become a serious nuisance to us Euro’s over the next few Ryder Cups. With Spieth, Reed and Fowler, there’s a real hardcore of talent for the future in there.

          Reed vs McIlroy in the singles at Hazeltine would be some match-up!

  24. Christosterone

    Sep 28, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    9 of the 12 Euro players live on our continent….so at least we get their tax money

    Seriously, the Euros played beautifully in foursomes AGAIN and thats where we lost this one….AGAIN

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