Europeans lack finesse at Whistling Straits

Even with a Spaniard as mighty and great as Jon Rahm topping the Official World Number One Rankings, Europe struggled desperately to conquer America in the deciding Sunday singles of the 43rd Ryder Cup held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, USA (24-26 September).  When you consider that at present most of the American team rank in the top 15 of the world, then it is no surprise that the continent is now revelling in joy.  It is time for the US to heal its wounds after a few defeats in recent years.  The final score was the largest margin of victory in the modern era:  USA 19 – Europe 9.

 

When the Sunday singles play list was revealed there was great scepticism over who would be playing against the best in the field.  Indeed, who are the best in the two 12-a-side Ryder Cup teams?  It is often a matter of personal choice rather than who lies higher on the world ranking list.  The players list indeed made compelling reading.

 

 

The score after the first two days was USA 11 – Europe 5.  America needed to win just 3½ points out of the 12 on Sunday to win back the trophy.  On the other hand, Europe had a tall order of winning 9 points to retain the much-loved Ryder Cup.  So who would tee-off first in each team?

 

Sunday’s honour for Europe went to Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy.  The 32-year old stands at number 15 in the Official World Golf Rankings.  How would his USA playing partner fare at Whistling Straits against a player who had been struggling all week?  Not so well, actually!

 

 

 

Yes, McIlroy teeing-off first was a magical touch.  He was pitched against the current Olympic Gold Medallist from Tokyo, Xander Schauffele.  On the very first hole the European pulled off a super birdie.  The American was even closer to the hole but a moment of hesitation saw his putt stay above ground.  One-up to Europe.  Could this be the beginning of a momentous turn-around for Europe in America?  We could only wish our fellow Europeans the very best of luck in Wisconsin.

 

Early score projections

 

As players reached the turn, projected scorelines started pouring in.  USA 17 – Europe 11 was the early projection.

 

In no time at all, McIlroy and Schauffele had finished their match.  It was a resounding victory of 3&2 to Europe.  The first singles point was in the bag: USA 11 – Europe 6.

 

A whole bunch of Americans then had their revenge on Europe.  Patrick Cantlay, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau took out Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, respectively.  Europe were really beginning to ache with pain.  Especially Spaniard Jon Rahm who had played so well all week with Sergio Garcia and Tyrrell Hatton.  Scoreline: USA 14 – Europe 6.

 

The joy of playing this wonderful undulating par 71, 6757 metre long course, with its near ‘million’ plague of teeny-weeny and enormous sandbunkers on the edge of Lake Michegan, faded into nothingness for every single player when compared with the enormity of winning the Ryder Cup.

 

All America now needed was half a point to seize the trophy.  It was twice Major winner in 2020 and 2021 on his debut, Collin Morikawa who delighted in that honour.  He was putting for victory in number five position against Viktor Hofland but his putt stayed above ground.  Disappointing for Morikawa but it did give USA the necessary half point for victory.

 

It was the ‘old school’ of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy who rallied all their strength and expertise to register valuable points for Europe.  Tommy Fleetwood also halved his match with Jordan Spieth after both birdied the 17th and then halved down the last.  Alas, the rest of Europe slipped slowly into a pot of mushy peas never to arise again in the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

 

And so it was that victory was sweet and memorable for America.  The 43rd Ryder Cup match was won with the largest margin of victory in the modern era: USA 19 – Europe 9.

 

 

Europe now have just over 730 days to rebuild their confidence for the next tantalising edition.  The following match takes place in 2023 at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, Rome, Italy from 29th September to 1st October.

 

 

Congratulations to you America!  It was a tremendous victory at Whistling Straits, USA.

 

Wendy Hoad

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: American Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker celebrates victory in the Ryder Cup with team USA.  ABOVE: Harry English and Tony Finau from Team America.  MINIS (l-r): Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hofland, Sergio Garcia and Team Europe Captain Padraig Harrington.  BELOW: Lee Westwood and Matthew Fitzpatrick.