Ryder Cup

[flash9286]

I'm glad you relaize that it had nothing to do with "heart", "will to win", or any that bullcrap.

[-Jrabbit]

If you ask the Euros, most of them would disagree with you.

Your statement that the US lost because it was outplayed is like saying the Yankees lost because they didn't score.

But the trend of Europe winning 5 of the last 6 Ryders, all but one with inferior teams, is pretty strong evidence that there is something more at play here. 16 of the 28 available points are in team events, and the Euros regularly and decisively win these. This is NOT a coincidence.

[MikeH]

This time the US was thrashed in the singles too though.

[Thorgal]

Well, i would not be so sure about "inferior teams". Having in mind that Golf rankings are made on money earned by the golfers, since US PGA events are much better payed than European GPA events, it is logical that the US players, playing at home, can make money much more easily than Europan players. So they are higher at the money based world rankings.

[-Jrabbit]

Actually, it's based on strength of field, not dollars earned. The rankings are still suspect, as it's a 2-year rolling average that gives bonus points for the majors. As a result, young golfers and golfers that are on a hot streak are underrepresented. They keep tinkering with the formula, and it's getting better.

You are correct that the non-US pro tours have been underrepresented in the rankings overall.

[flash9286]

If you made your assertion Americans would disagree with you, see it works both ways. And like you said the PGA rankings measure how well you do over a 2 year period, they need to be selected on how well they are playing leading up to the Ryder cup.

[-Jrabbit]

I agree that the selection process is flawed.

Regarding ability to succeed at team play, I think the statistics outweigh anything the Americans might have to say. Here are results for the 10 most recent Ryder Cups, split by competition type.

Foursomes (team best ball)
US - 39
EUR - 41

Fourball (team alternating shots)
US - 32.5
EUR - 47.5

Singles (individual match play)
US - 65
EUR - 55

So say what you will. Basic statistics confirm that the Euros are better at the team play events, despite the Americans' superiority at individual play. Fact.

[flash9286]

Well in another interesting note the Americans have won 4 out of 5 of the last president's cups.

[-Jrabbit]

pwned!