My Thoughts On The Upcoming Ryder Cup

Here are my thoughts on the upcoming Ryder Cup. So here we go again, arguably, with the best event in the game.  Here comes the 2023 Ryder Cup, from outside Rome, Italy. Why is it “the best event in the game”?  Is it simply the team aspect?  A sport where more than 99% of the time, it’s played by individuals for individuals.  Is it playing for your country, or region?  For me, that seems to be less and less the case as more and more of the European team members live in this country.  Rory lives in Florida.  Jon Rahm in Arizona, Viktor Hovland lives in Oklahoma.  And even if they don’t live in this country, many of the European team members went to college in this country. [caption id="attachment_132370" align="aligncenter" width="594"] ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 26: Jon Rahm of Team Europe plays a shot from a bunker on the 18th hole during a practice round prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 26, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)[/caption] So, what makes it so attractive?  I think the answer is simple.  I think it’s attractive because every match is meaningful.  Eight matches on Friday, fourball and foursomes.  Eight matches on Saturday, fourball and foursomes and then twelve singles matches on Sunday.  You know, they say you can’t win golf tournaments on Thursday, but you can lose them.  You can win a Ryder Cup on that first day depending on how many matches you win.  If you’re up 6-2 after day one, or 7-1, there’s almost no way the other team can come back from that kind of deficit. Yes, there are small battles that take place within the various matches, but each one of the matches is so very important in determining the outcome. Think about it, when did the Ryder Cup begin to come to the forefront of our attention.  It wasn’t when the old guard of Nicklaus, Palmer and such were routinely dispatching the team from Great Britian and Ireland.  It became interesting when the Europeans, now with more participants, began to beat Team USA.  Now it’s gotten good.  The rivalries between Seve and Azinger, or Tiger and Sergio, or even to these days with Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy really galvanized fans and interest. [caption id="attachment_132376" align="alignnone" width="683"] ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 25: Collin Morikawa of Team United States looks on from the practice area prior to the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 25, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)[/caption] With all that being said, what do I think will happen.  It’s well documented that the Americans haven’t won on foreign soil in thirty years.  Make it thirty-four, because I don’t think they’ll be winning this weekend.  I think it’s easy to underestimate the quality of the European team.  And it’s easy to get all excited about Team USA.  While it is true that Team USA doesn’t carry the baggage from all those previous defeats, it’s also true that the European team is just as fresh and renewed, and they’re playing a home game.  I think that will become a major factor for their big three, McIlroy, Rahm and Hovland. Whatever the outcome, I know I will enjoy the event.  If you’re a fan of the game, it’s must-see television.  You’ll just have to get up early to see it. Coverage begins on USA network at 1:30am this Friday morning. USA network will start the coverage on Saturday at 1:30am with NBC taking over at 3am. Singles coverage on Sunday will begin on NBC at 5:30am.