Victory at Last
On a weekend packed with emotion and intensity the likes of which can only be found in international competition, Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky was witness to one of the most thrilling and intriguing Ryder Cups in recent memory. An invigorated United States team was able to stave off an inspired rally by the Europeans and eventually won the event 16 1/2 - 11 1/2.
Tiger Who?
With the world's best player on the sidelines recovering from knee surgery, most experts figured that the U.S. had almost no shot of capturing the Ryder Cup, especially considering the Europe's recent record in the event. But with the Europeans lacking two of their most experienced players in Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke, it became apparent on the first day that fans were in for some seriously entertaining golf.
Tiger Woods' stellar record in PGA Tour events is well-documented, but most fail to realize that match play is not his strong suit, at least historically. The Ryder Cup has never been a breeding ground for the type of play that the world has come to expect of Woods, and perhaps a Tiger-less USA team played a bit more relaxed. One thing is for sure: the Americans didn't have to deal with the enormous shadow that Tiger casts over events in which he plays, and it obviously helped.
Europe's Leaders Falter
Coming into this year's event, Europe was a heavy favorite, stemming not only from the injuries to Tiger Woods, but also the leadership and experience contained within the team. Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood were expected to dominate the Ryder Cup, given their experience and combined record at the event; however, that is not how the weekend played out. Garcia had never been beaten in a foursome match in Ryder Cup play; this year at Valhalla, he halved two matches while losing another.
Padraig Harrington, the man who many consider to be playing the best golf in the world at the moment, also struggled throughout the event, finishing with two losses and a halve in the team play, while also losing his singles match to Chad Campbell. The decidedly lackluster play of these European veterans led to a dramatic shift in power from Europe to the United States, a shift that resulted in an American victory at Valhalla.
Out-Coached or Out-Played?
Soon after the 37th Ryder Cup came to its conclusion, many began to question the coaching decisions of Europe's captain, Nick Faldo, specifically his decisions to sit Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood in the afternoon on Saturday, as well as his selections for the Sunday singles matches. While his methods can certainly be brought under closer scrutiny, the responsibility to win matches ultimately falls on the players themselves. To blame Faldo for the European loss is ludicrous; the Americans played better and simply deserved to win.
Kevin D. Koeninger - I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Louisville with a degree in English in December of 2007. I am currently writing for ...
