Ryder Cup Review: US Ready To Dominate

Team USA’s first chapter of the rest of what many predict will be 10+ years of Ryder Cup dominance was a sight to behold.

The 19-9 scoreline didn’t flatter Steve Stricker’s USA side, it was just reward for their excellent work from Friday right through Sunday. Here are the biggest talking points from the annihilation of Padraig Harrington’s European team.

The Real DJ Stands Up

Not that Dustin Johnson would mind that much, but the world’s second-best player was written down ahead of the week. His response was flawless as the team’s oldest player not only played in all five sessions but won them all. Exactly the type of performance that you’d expect from a player of his calibre but one that he’s failed to deliver until now. Johnson’s pedigree is a confusing one … he “only” has two Majors to his name (fewer than Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka) but nearly a dozen PGA TOUR events. Turning a losing record in this event around and being ready to go again in Rome in two year’s time will go some way to ensuring DJ ends his playing days as one of the all-time greats.

Rory’s Left In Tears

Contrary to DJ, Rory McIlroy was far off the pace this week. He managed to win one match – against Xander Schauffele in the singles – and it came after the champagne was put on ice for Team USA. McIlroy’s Major tally is more impressive than DJ’s but he’s not won one since 2014. Left in tears and giving an honest assessment of his poor week – “I love being a part of this team, I love my teammates so much, and I should have done more for them this week,” was a testament to his appreciation of the game. He’s a class act but Whistling Straits saw only a shadow of the player we know he can be.

Succession Planning

Funny how much of America’s failures in previous editions was put down to bad succession planning – with players and captains – but now it’s their strength. European opposition should be afraid, this team featured rookies all under 30 like Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Daniel Berger and Scottie Scheffler. The last US rookie this year was Harris English, who is only 32. That’s only the rookies because Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth are all 28. Brooks Koepka is 31. This US squad is young, brilliant and ready to do this all over again.

The flip side is that Europe’s veterans were simply not up to the task. All that knowledge of how to win and how to compete against the US is now moving from those inside the ropes to becoming team captains. Farewell Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and probably Paul Casey. The next wave of European golf simply cannot match their US counterparts. Rome could be painted red, white and blue with some ease too.

Harrington’s Howlers

Let’s have a look at some curious decisions which shaped the deficit Europe faced going into the Sunday singles.

Session 1: How did he leave out Fleetwood but pair Matt Fitzpatrick (yet to win a point in this competition)?

Session 2: Included Casey (alongside Wiesberger as well) despite a poor morning show and left out Sergio Garcia, who helped Jon Rahm to get Europe’s only point in the morning.

Session 3: He selects Casey again but rests McIlroy – many would agree you have to trust the Northern Irishman to come good? In the same session, he puts Westwood and Fitzpatrick back together for another failure.

Session 4: Finally gets it right and Europe duly enjoys their best session. The USA fought back to square it up 2-2 in the end.

The Best Hits

Bryson DeChambeau was something of a problem child heading into the week. But his feud with Brooks Koepka was kept to the side and Stricker found Scheffler to be his perfect partner. And allowed Bryson to thrive in the fourball format. The result was that Bryson earned 2.5 from 3 possible points and left as a US hero.

DeChambeau also hit some of the best shots this week, the 417 yard drive (which he pitched to gimmie range for eagle) on the first day was breathtaking. But his drive on the first hole on Sunday and subsequent eagle conversion was a real scene setter. Leaving the tee box on a par four with your putter aloft like a light sabre was something every US fan could get behind.

For The Record

Ian Poulter probably featured as a player for the last time at the Ryder Cup. And he ended in style ensuring his record of never having lost a Singles match remained intact. It was good to see Lee Westwood end with a win too. Jon Rahm’s 3.5 points are the most for a world No 1 and guess what, Jordan Spieth’s tied Singles match means he’s never won a Singles game in the Ryder Cup. Spieth was also one of 3 players this week to end without a positive record (+Finau and English). Paul Casey ended with a 0-4 record while Dustin Johnson is only the fifth USA player to go 5-0.

This was also a rare win for the team that was the favourites heading into the event, in the last 10 events the better ranked side had only prevailed three times. That number could be a lot different if indeed the USA continues to build on their brilliance in Wisconsin.