The 41st Ryder Cup
The 41st Ryder Cup Matches were dubbed by many to be "must win" for the Americans. Since the turn of the century, the Europeans had won 6 matches, while the United States had only one once - 2008 at Valhalla. In 2012, the US team held a 4 point lead heading into the Sunday singles matches, only to see the European team retain the cup.
The United States won the Ryder Cup by a 17-11 margin. It was the largest margin of victory for the United States since 1981. The Americans rushed out to an amazing sweep of the Friday morning foursome matches, only to see Europe win the next two sessions. By the time the sun set on Chaska, Minnesota on Saturday evening, the US was taking a 3 point lead heading into the single's matches.
On Sunday morning, Davis Love III and Darren Clarke sent out their big guns first: Patrick Reed -vs- Rory McIlroy, and the match did not disappoint. The first 8 holes were a spectacular display of match play golf mixed with a surreal display of emotion.
The back and forth match culminated with Patrick Reed winning 1up on the 3rd ranked player in the world. Reed finished the 2016 matches with a 3-1-1 record and a 6-1-1 record overall in Ryder Cup play. He has cemented himself as a stalwart on the American side whose play rises to the level of the occasion.
The other single's match that generated a lot of buzz was the Phil Mickelson/Sergio Garcia duo. The pair traded birdies all day with Mickelson shooting -9 on his round. The match headed to 18 where Mickelson had a quick downhill put to put pressure on Garcia.
Garcia responded by making his putt, and appropriately, the match was halved. It was an incredible game by two veteran players who showed that the sun has not yet set on their careers.
After two years of fanfare regarding the creation of a Ryder Cup task force, and the buzz and questions about the American's ability to actually win the Ryder Cup again, it was a satisfying weekend - not just for the players but for the fans of American golf. With the exception of Jimmy Walker and J.B. Holmes, no American player had a losing record this weekend. Captain Love and his vice-captains pushed all of the right buttons.
The fans in Minnesota, while mostly loud and demonstrative, at times crossed the lines. Expect the fans in Europe in 2018 to return the favor.
In the meantime, this snap by Rickie Fowler perfectly sums up the last seven days in the world of golf:
This year, the American team, led by Davis Love III (who also manned the ship in 2012) took a 3 point lead heading into the Sunday singles. This year - the Americans were not going to be denied.
"For the first time in eight years, they are going to have the feeling of winning that #RyderCup" https://t.co/Nz2O2kVlz5— PGA.COM (@PGAcom) October 2, 2016
The United States won the Ryder Cup by a 17-11 margin. It was the largest margin of victory for the United States since 1981. The Americans rushed out to an amazing sweep of the Friday morning foursome matches, only to see Europe win the next two sessions. By the time the sun set on Chaska, Minnesota on Saturday evening, the US was taking a 3 point lead heading into the single's matches.
On Sunday morning, Davis Love III and Darren Clarke sent out their big guns first: Patrick Reed -vs- Rory McIlroy, and the match did not disappoint. The first 8 holes were a spectacular display of match play golf mixed with a surreal display of emotion.
— Ryan O (@RyanO1L) October 2, 2016
The back and forth match culminated with Patrick Reed winning 1up on the 3rd ranked player in the world. Reed finished the 2016 matches with a 3-1-1 record and a 6-1-1 record overall in Ryder Cup play. He has cemented himself as a stalwart on the American side whose play rises to the level of the occasion.
The other single's match that generated a lot of buzz was the Phil Mickelson/Sergio Garcia duo. The pair traded birdies all day with Mickelson shooting -9 on his round. The match headed to 18 where Mickelson had a quick downhill put to put pressure on Garcia.
A birdie...and a LEAP from Phil Mickelson!— PGA.COM (@PGAcom) October 2, 2016
He halves the match with Sergio Garcia!
USA leads 13-10. #RyderCup https://t.co/M9UO2OMCfp
Garcia responded by making his putt, and appropriately, the match was halved. It was an incredible game by two veteran players who showed that the sun has not yet set on their careers.
After two years of fanfare regarding the creation of a Ryder Cup task force, and the buzz and questions about the American's ability to actually win the Ryder Cup again, it was a satisfying weekend - not just for the players but for the fans of American golf. With the exception of Jimmy Walker and J.B. Holmes, no American player had a losing record this weekend. Captain Love and his vice-captains pushed all of the right buttons.
The fans in Minnesota, while mostly loud and demonstrative, at times crossed the lines. Expect the fans in Europe in 2018 to return the favor.
In the meantime, this snap by Rickie Fowler perfectly sums up the last seven days in the world of golf:
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