SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — Europe had players who weren’t even born the last time it was beaten this badly in the Ryder Cup by what was clearly a superior American…
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — Europe had players who weren’t even born the last time it was beaten this badly in the Ryder Cup by what was clearly a superior American team on Midwestern soil. This wasn’t Sunday at Whistling Straits. This was five years ago at Hazeltine, where the 17-11 outcome suggested the Ryder Cup was turning in favor of the Americans. Darren Clarke was the captain in 2016 and he pledged Europe would “be back stronger to fight” in two years. That’s exactly what happened. So while the Americans looked better than ever — “the greatest team of all time,” U.S. captain Steve Stricker said in a moment of exuberance — their 19-9 victory was only a step, even if it felt like a giant leap. Not only was it the biggest blowout against Europe since it joined in 1979, it equaled the largest margin in any Ryder Cup since 1975. The big picture? Nothing matters until Italy in 2023. Rory McIlroy, even after his least productive Ryder Cup performance inside the ropes, didn’t sound overly concerned. “It seems the way the Ryder Cup is going, the home team certainly has an advantage every time that we play this thing,” McIlroy said. “That was apparent in Paris a couple years ago. I think it was pretty apparent this week, as well.” The difference is the makeup of this American team. More than just being the youngest U.S. team ever for a Ryder Cup — average age 29 — they were not part of a recycled group of Americans who still have, “Ole, ole, ole” ringing in their heads from hearing it so often after losing so much. And it even goes further than that. The nickname “Patty Ice” is not just for Patrick Cantlay’s big moments with the putter.
