For most avid golf fans the Ryder Cup represents the most exciting tournament in the world – three days of pressure packed golf excitement with pride of patriotism causing nerves to be frayed and emotions exposed bare to millions of viewers.  Those who succeed under these circumstances can reach the next level of stardom (Anthony Kim and Boo Weekley in 2008).  Those who fail will have a hard time erasing the memories (Mark Calcavechia in Kiawah Island and Curtis Strange at Oak Hill).  The Sunday singles matches are the most exciting day of golf in the sport, eclipsing even the final nine at Augusta.  Coming off the impressive win at Valhalla in 2008, one would think the American team is ready to validate that performance with a win on European soil.  After all, it was a dominant performance and many newcomers gained valuable experience on golf’s biggest stage.  They silenced the critics with a selfless approach that stressed team over individual pedigree.  It is time to begin an American string of victories that retain this cup on American soil for years to come, right?  After all, we “broke the code” didn’t we?  Unfortunately, this conventional wisdom is misguided.  We are simply enjoying the calm before the storm of a European onslaught. 

  But why, you might ask?  We have the two greatest players of the current generation in Tiger and Phil.  We have young, talented players in Hunter Mahan, Dustin Johnson, and Rickie Fowler.  We have a feisty, resilient captain in Corey Pavin.  The main reasons we will lose are familiar to those that have been frustrated by our inept record in this bi-annual competition: 1) Lack of team camaraderie and 2) Lack of mental toughness.

  The Europeans have an advantage in that they can pair players from the same country which increases their resolve and purpose.  They feel they are not only representing Europe but their country within the continent as well.  Remember the Spanish Armada of Seve and Jose Maria?  Watch out for pairings such as Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter of England, and the Molinari brothers, Francesco and Eduardo, of Italy.  In addition, many of them play on a smaller tour in which the better players form closer overall relationships.  I believe Captain Montgomerie (a.k.a. “The Sweaty Scot”) values this trait and used it as part of his criteria to choose dedicated European player Edoardo Molinari over PGA Tour converts Justin Rose and Paul Casey.

  The biggest reason for European victory is superior mental toughness.  Martin Kaymer, Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood are as tough mentally as they come.  Ross Fisher and Rory McIlroy have emerged as major tournament contenders and Graeme McDowell showed his grit at Pebble Beach with a rock solid performance with Tiger, Phil and Ernie nipping at his heels.  On the American side, there is plenty of talent in players such as Matt Kuchar, Jeff Overton, and Bubba Watson but if I am relying on someone to pull out a tough match on foreign soil they are not at the top of my list.  Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler are rising stars but have not experienced success on a large stage yet.  To think that they will start achieving success on foreign soil is a stretch to say the least.

  All this negative banter is not to say that the Americans will get blown out.  They are shaky at the top with Tiger and Phil off their games and weak at the bottom with the likes of Overton and Watson but they have strength in the middle of the lineup with veteran grinders such as Zach Johnson, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker that will keep the team competitive until the final day.  Their only hope for victory is if Tiger and Phil re-emerge as the games’ best players, Hunter Mahan and Dustin Johnson utilize their immense talent and dominate while the grinders do what is expected of them which is win tough matches with rabid Welshmen screaming in their ears. 

  Unfortunately, the storm is coming.  Enjoy the final days in the calm of hope and anticipation while harboring this precious hunk of silver called the Ryder Cup on American soil before it returns to the clutches of European hands.

Prediction:  Euros 15 ½  Yanks 12 ½

JB Audi

JB Audi covers Golf for GolfWRX.com and can be reached at [email protected]

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