Ryder Cup
Arguably the world’s most watched golf event – the Ryder Cup, the biennial men’s team competition between Europe and USA will be broadcast live in India on Eurosport over three days starting late Friday September 24th night, India time from Whistling Straits Golf Club in Wisconsin, USA. There are very few events that invoke such passion and excitement as the fate of the matches swing with several individual games going on simultaneously on the final day.
The event is not short on story lines. In a recent Golf Digest’s interview of four time major winner and former No.1 Brooks Koepka, opened up about how the team format is not suited for him, that he performs better solo. This statement alone drove US fans crazy and even elicited comments to remove him from the team. That interview added to his rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau made so much noise on social media that Ryder Cup USA had to clarify that Brooks was in fact still keen to play on team USA.
Europe boasts of 48-year-old Lee Westwood, who is entering his record tying 11th Ryder Cup. Past Masters Champion Spanish Sergio Garcia has 25 points to his resume, the most in history. Another Spaniard, John Rahm, US Open winner and current World No. 1 is apparently the only top-10 world ranked player on Europe’s side and is sure to perform supremely.
The only positive outcome in the past decade for team USA came with their win at the 2016 edition, but that too against a Europe team which consisted of six rookies.
But now, Collin Morikawa, who was just a rookie when the last Ryder Cup was played, now has two major and a World Golf Championship to his name, plus Captain’s pick, Xander Schauffele, the Olympic Gold Medalist will be strong additions to the team and with the home advantage, team USA might have better chances of getting the better of Europe. It will all boil down to grit, determination and team spirit. Enjoy watching !!
Team USA –
Captain – Steve Stricker
Vice-Captain – Fred Couples
Vice-Captain – Jim Furyk
Vice-Captain – Zach Johnson
Vice-Captain – Davis Love III
Vice-Captain – Phil Mickelson
Playing Members
Collin Morikawa
Dustin Johnson
Bryson DeChambeau
Brooks Koepka
Justin Thomas
Patrick Cantlay
Tony Finau
Xander Schauffele
Harris English
Jordan Spieth
Daniel Berger
Scottie Scheffler
Team Europe –
Captain – Padraig Harrington
Vice-Captain – Luke Donald
Vice-Captain – Robert Karlsson
Vice-Captain – Martin Kaymer
Vice-Captain – Graeme McDowell
Vice-Captain – Henrik Stenson
Playing Members
Rory McIlroy
Jon Rahm
Paul Casey
Matt Fitzpatrick
Tyrrell Hatton
Tommy Fleetwood
Viktor Hovland
Lee Westwood
Bernd Weisberger
Sergio Garcia
Ian Poulter
Shane Lowry
Credits:-
Photo – Golf Digest