By Joe Cassidy
Over a month after the Olympic torch has been extinguished, the United States once again has a group of athletes to rally behind.
In its 85-year history the Ryder Cup has showcased the World’s best golfers in a format that pits the top talent from the United States versus that of Europe. Tensions have risen and sportsmanship has been questioned at times over the course of the event, causing it to become much more than just a friendly match between two teams.
Although it is often overshadowed by the PGA Tour season which comes to its climatic close a week earlier with the $35 million Fed-Ex Cup, it is an event that represents much more than winning or losing a match. In an event that has been dominated mainly by Europe in the past quarter of a century, the US turns to a star-studded team featuring 11 of the top 20 golfers in the world (according to the Official Golf World Ranking), with the seasoned veteran Jim Furyk rounding out the squad (23 in OGWR).
Although players like Woods, and Mickelson have become household names as golf has become more prevalent in the world, none of the current U.S. golfers possess a winning record in Ryder Cup play. Nonetheless, Captain Davis Love III is still extremely confident in his team, including the four rookies Webb Simpson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley and the 2012 Fed-Ex Cup winner Brandt Snedeker.
Love proved to be a genius by using his captain’s pick on Snedeker weeks before he claimed the Cup. The United States look to this youthful surge combined with the veteran talent of Tiger, Phil, Furyk, Bubba Watson, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, and Zach Johnson to take the crown this year.
What seems to be such a cut-and-dry win for the US is not so. Having lost 9 of the last 13 Ryder Cup’s, including 3 at home, the United States is looking to make a comeback, and a statement, by defeating the Europeans in Chicago this weekend. Europe isn’t going down with much ease however.
Featuring four players that have held the number one ranking in the world in the last 18 months, the Europeans are led by a streaking Rory Mcilroy, who is coming off of three victories in five weeks including two playoff tournaments as part of the Fed-Ex. Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Colsaertes, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Peter Hanson, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood round out the the European squad that includes only two players (Hanson and Molinari) with losing records.
It is not often that we get to root for the underdog, and what better place to do so than on American soil?
So, this weekend, take a moment to watch as some top-tier American golfers, along with "da fans" in Illinois, attempt to make history as they proudly represent their country in something that has become much more than just friendly competition.
Over a month after the Olympic torch has been extinguished, the United States once again has a group of athletes to rally behind.
In its 85-year history the Ryder Cup has showcased the World’s best golfers in a format that pits the top talent from the United States versus that of Europe. Tensions have risen and sportsmanship has been questioned at times over the course of the event, causing it to become much more than just a friendly match between two teams.
Although it is often overshadowed by the PGA Tour season which comes to its climatic close a week earlier with the $35 million Fed-Ex Cup, it is an event that represents much more than winning or losing a match. In an event that has been dominated mainly by Europe in the past quarter of a century, the US turns to a star-studded team featuring 11 of the top 20 golfers in the world (according to the Official Golf World Ranking), with the seasoned veteran Jim Furyk rounding out the squad (23 in OGWR).
Although players like Woods, and Mickelson have become household names as golf has become more prevalent in the world, none of the current U.S. golfers possess a winning record in Ryder Cup play. Nonetheless, Captain Davis Love III is still extremely confident in his team, including the four rookies Webb Simpson, Jason Dufner, Keegan Bradley and the 2012 Fed-Ex Cup winner Brandt Snedeker.
Love proved to be a genius by using his captain’s pick on Snedeker weeks before he claimed the Cup. The United States look to this youthful surge combined with the veteran talent of Tiger, Phil, Furyk, Bubba Watson, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, and Zach Johnson to take the crown this year.
What seems to be such a cut-and-dry win for the US is not so. Having lost 9 of the last 13 Ryder Cup’s, including 3 at home, the United States is looking to make a comeback, and a statement, by defeating the Europeans in Chicago this weekend. Europe isn’t going down with much ease however.
Featuring four players that have held the number one ranking in the world in the last 18 months, the Europeans are led by a streaking Rory Mcilroy, who is coming off of three victories in five weeks including two playoff tournaments as part of the Fed-Ex. Sergio Garcia, Nicolas Colsaertes, Graeme McDowell, Martin Kaymer, Francesco Molinari, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Peter Hanson, Paul Lawrie, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood round out the the European squad that includes only two players (Hanson and Molinari) with losing records.
It is not often that we get to root for the underdog, and what better place to do so than on American soil?
So, this weekend, take a moment to watch as some top-tier American golfers, along with "da fans" in Illinois, attempt to make history as they proudly represent their country in something that has become much more than just friendly competition.
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