SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — «Two years definitely can’t come quick enough, that’s for sure.” Bryson DeChambeau echoed Justin Thomas’ sentiment…
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France — «Two years definitely can’t come quick enough, that’s for sure.”
Bryson DeChambeau echoed Justin Thomas’ sentiment during Team USA’s news conference after a 17 1/2-10 1/2 loss to Europe in the 2018 Ryder Cup, the Americans’ sixth consecutive defeat on foreign soil.
While there were few bright spots for Team USA at Le Golf National outside of its 3-1 start to the week and a few singles matches on Sunday, there’s undoubtedly reason for excitement for the years to come.
Thomas, one of three Americans to play in all five matches, compiled a stellar 4-1-0 record in his debut, including a clutch victory over Rory McIlroy in singles to earn a much-needed early point for the U. S.
NBC’s Johnny Miller referred to the 25-year-old as an American version of Ian Poulter, and he couldn’t have been more spot-on.
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Thomas compiled a 3-1-1 record in the 2017 Presidents Cup in a breakout season that included his first major title at the PGA Championship, five PGA Tour wins and the honor of being named the Tour’s Player of the Year.
Statistics aside, he plays with a fire and intensity needed for team competitions. Exhibit A: he gave a boisterous European crowd the “I can’t here you” gesture with just a one-up lead on Saturday.
It seemed as if Thomas was heading towards taking the Captain America shield from Patrick Reed this week before the 2018 Masters champion found his game with a 3 and 2 victory over Tyrrell Hatton on Sunday.
Thomas and Reed are just two of many Americans that should produce for years to come. Rookies like DeChambeau — his 0-2 debut aside — and Tony Finau, who earned two points, are solid players who will continue to grow.
Don’t forget about Jordan Spieth, a three-time major champion whose 3-1-1 performance improved his overall Ryder Cup record to an impressive 7-4-3 in three competitions. While Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler both earned just one point in four matches, there’s no reason to doubt what they’ll bring to future teams.
World No. 1 Dustin Johnson never had his best stuff in Paris, but he and Webb Simpson still have a handful of years left to contribute and will play a pivotal role in developing the younger players.
While that may all sound like years of American victories, the Europeans aren’t slacking in the young talent department, either.
McIlroy, the heartbeat of the Euros, and Tommy Fleetwood will haunt the red, white and blue for as long as they play. Fleetwood, one of five rookies for Thomas Bjorn’s European squad, compiled a 4-1 record, with his only loss coming Sunday against a red-hot Finau.
While fellow rookies Jon Rahm, Thorbjorn Olesen and Tyrrell Hatton all have room for improvement, each showed signs of promise. Rahm went toe-to-toe and closed out a match with Tiger Woods. Olesen put a beating on Spieth, winning in just 14 holes. Hatton’s 1-2 record may not reflect it, but he played consistently well each time he was called on.
Combine that young talent with veterans Francesco Molinari, who won all five matches he played, Ian Poulter (2-2) and Sergio Garcia (3-1), and you have a recipe for European success.
There’s no denying Sunday was a dark day for Team USA, but there’s certainly a bright future ahead.
