It was a rare Sunday this past weekend when I watched more golf than football. The Ryder Cup this year is now etched in as one of my favorite golf memories, and it may now be my favorite golf format. Pitting the Americans against the Europeans, the U.S. hadn’t won since a shocking come-from-behind in 1999. Given that their best player, Tiger Woods, wasn’t playing, they were expected to fall short again. Guys like Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood just don’t lose in the Ryder Cup. But this year, they lost to guys like Boo Weekley (right) and JB Holmes (who are both referred to in the media as ‘rednecks’) and rising star Anthony Kim; Guys many sports fans have never heard of before.
It was a contrast of styles. The Europeans were genteel, sophisticated. They were reserved in their manner until they saw the tidal wave of American support about to crash on their heads on Saturday and tried to turn up the volume, yelling and pumping their fists. But by then it seemed out of place and a bit awkward; They were trying to play the Americans’ game, but they weren’t up to the task. Weekley made the most of it. After Westwood complained that Weekley was riling up the crowd too much between putts, Weekley reserved his celebrations for between the holes, and his celebrations and the crowd noise doubled in intensity. Westwood says he was abused by fans after that; after his whining, I’m not surprised. You could almost see the Europeans turning up their nose at these bloody Americans who didn’t know how to behave properly on a golf course. But in the end it was those bloody Americans taking the win, 16.5-11.5. It is only the second time since 1995 that the U.S. won the biennial event.
My favorite part of the event was watching the teamwork and camaraderie. In every other golf tournament on television, it’s every man for himself. This one features captains (for the U.S., it was Paul Azinger; Nick Faldo lead the Europeans) riding around in carts, charging up the crowd, coaching their players. The Ryder Cup is a team event, and it was great to watch all of these guys treat it as such.
The 2010 Ryder Cup will be in Wales, and the Europeans will be out for blood. I’m penciling it into my calendar now.
on Sep 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 PM
OK Cyd – all the fist-pumping, driver-jockey, jingo-jangle stuff is fine, but it was other moments/aspects that made the Ryder compelling for me. Like the drive, emotion and appreciation of Tour stalwarts Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry (and Perry’s 85-yr-old father coming onto the green in his overalls to embrace his son); Phil Mickelson’s unfailing good humor and team spirit despite more disappointing personal results; countless extraordinary shots – grace under pressure – by players on both sides; and (Mr. Onetrackmind, here) two hot studs, Paul Casey and Hunter Mahan, battling their hearts out to halve the match, then shaking hands with obvious mutual respect and affection. I can’t wait for the President’s cup – it might not have the cachet, but it does have the Aussies !!!
on Sep 22nd, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Yes, definitely! It was all fantastic. To think about the crap that Perry took for months, avoiding the Majors and focusing on making money in American tournaments; to have him do what he did was great. I couldn’t capture it all, but yes, there was so many other great moments. Kim walking off on Sunday not realizing he’d won the match and Garcia tracking him down to congratulate him was another wonderful moment.
By the way, Oliver Wilson looked hot, but I saw a pic of him without a hat on, and he wasn’t so great. So there’s another to watch for
on Sep 24th, 2008 at 12:54 AM
I am glad that the American team was able to crush Europe, not just sneak by. Great play by most of the team.
However…ugh. Is it possible for American sports fans to not be annoying, boorish louts? The reason I love golf is that it is a game about playing your best and letting things end up where they end up. Winning a match against a player that blows up on the course is not as good as winning a match when both players play at the top of their game. Cheering for blades, chunks, dips, and general poor play is just not in the spirit of the game. I hate it when the Ryder Cup is played in the U.S. Hate it. We are just too juvenile.
Stop egging on morons, Captain Azinger!
on Sep 25th, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Cesar–the Europeans are just as bad when the Ryder Cup is played over there. If anything, I was surprised at how loud the cheers were for good shots by Justin Rose, Ian Poulter etc.