FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The most significant allure of the Ryder Cup isn’t the confrontation between the United States and Europe, the spirited attendees, the occurrence of the event every other year, or the globally recognized golf courses that provide the setting.
The distinguishing characteristic that separates it from the major championships, the PGA Tour schedule, and the Olympic Games is that golf, typically a solitary pursuit — perhaps the most solitary of all sports — experiences a fundamental transformation into a collaborative endeavor under the Ryder Cup flag.
Once every two years, spanning three days, the established conventions undergo a revision. The sport surpasses its typical form, necessitating the combined aptitude and resolve of a dozen competitors, not just one, to secure victory.
While this narrative might be familiar, as the jubilation of European enthusiasts reverberated throughout Long Island, persisting late into Sunday evening, there exists no more opportune juncture to underscore the lesson derived from the inherent attributes of this competition.
Europe triumphed over the United States with a score of 15 to 13, attributable to their exceptional and unified performance as a cohesive unit.
Despite the U.S. potentially boasting a majority of the world’s premier golfers, they once again lacked the optimal team dynamic.
Consequently, for the ninth occasion in the twelve iterations of this esteemed golfing spectacle since the dawn of the century, Europe has once more demonstrated its superiority.
The sole accomplishment of the United States resided in averting the Ryder Cup from descending into an overwhelming and unforgettable rout.
There was at least some semblance of resistance. It wasn’t until Sunday — the fifth session encompassing the final twelve contests — that the Ryder Cup attained intrigue, and the Americans exhibited a genuine aspiration to secure the victory.
Prospering across 11 individual head-to-head matches, the U.S. inadvertently reinforced the principle that their team has been compelled to relearn every two years: The Ryder Cup emphasizes collectivity, not individuality.
The Americans ultimately attained an 8.5-point tally in Sunday singles, equaling a historical record, with a 6-1-5 performance in head-to-head matchups on the concluding day of competition. The 12th match was “split” after Europe’s Viktor Hovland withdrew due to a neck ailment, prompting the U.S. to declare that Harris English would also abstain. Each faction received a half-point concession, propelling Europe to a 12 to 5 advantage before the day’s inaugural match commenced.
As a separate observation: United States captain Keegan Bradley, noticeably displeased by his team’s missed opportunity to gain a complete point, correctly asserted: “The regulation necessitates alteration,” he declared Sunday evening. “It is apparent to all within the realm of sports, including those present, that this regulation demands modification prior to the upcoming Ryder Cup.
The unfolding events during the five hours of singles competition fluctuated between captivating, exhilarating, and … momentarily … brimming with optimism. Xander Schauffele definitively defeated Jon Rahm. Scottie Scheffler finally escaped his losing streak by narrowly surpassing Rory McIlroy. (Scheffler entered Sunday as the first world No. 1 to commence a Ryder Cup with a 0-4-0 record). Bryson DeChambeau equaled a record, rebounding from a five-hole deficit through seven holes to tie his contest with Matt Fitzpatrick.
Gradually, the scoreboard transitioned from gray to red. The initial seven-point disparity dwindled to three when J.J. Spaun outshone Sepp Straka.
This resurgence ignited — if only momentarily — a surge of hope among the multitude of U.S. supporters congregating around the final four holes.
That aspiration dissipated at 5:15 p.m. ET when Shane Lowry successfully executed a 6-foot, 3-inch putt, securing Europe’s attainment of 14 points, thus safeguarding their Ryder Cup retention and positioning the visitors a mere half-point from an outright triumph.
In the moments preceding this, just when it appeared as though the United States was navigating the most delicate predicament in golfing history, Russell Henley executed an extraordinary shot: 128 yards from the left fairway bunker, an explosive maneuver soaring at least 100 feet into the air, landing within 10 feet of the pin. However, Henley’s subsequent putt fell short, allowing Lowry an opportunity, which he seized with jubilation.
Getty Images
The Irishman was deeply moved. While teamwork was essential, the concluding accomplishment was his. Lowry didn’t even secure victory in his match; in fact, Ludvig Åberg was the sole European to achieve a full point on Sunday, defeating Patrick Cantlay.
Sunday marked the culmination. Europe accomplished its objectives on Friday and Saturday. They prevailed in three of the initial four sessions with a 3 to 1 score (and a 2.5 to 1.5 score in the other), becoming the first visiting team in modern Ryder Cup annals to sweep both foursomes and fourballs. This significantly diminished the U.S.’s prospects.
Europe’s putting prowess was extraordinary. To be certain, the greens were excessively accommodating, and the Bethpage Black rough lacked its customary depth and formidable texture. These deficiencies constituted significant shortcomings in Bradley’s American captaincy.
Europe never afforded the United States any conviction of having a chance in the team competition. This psychological advantage, frequently observed in traditional team sports, proved critical on Sunday when the United States finally demonstrated cohesion.
“Accountability rests solely with me,” Bradley acknowledged. “As the leader of the team, the coach, or whatever designation one prefers … in defeat, I bear the responsibility.”
The United States confronts several crucial questions: the manner of selecting its captain, the captain’s strategies for foursomes and fourballs, and the integration of contemporary data for more informed decision-making.
For the Ryder Cup to regain its status as a legitimate rivalry, a fundamental reassessment is imperative, encompassing not only the composition of the United States team but also the psychological approach adopted in the weeks and months leading up to the Ryder Cup.
The Americans’ subsequent opportunity will arise in 2027 at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland. The U.S. will enter as a possibly more vulnerable adversary than Europe appeared in New York over the preceding three days.
This position as the perceived underdog can only be overcome through team cohesion and genuine mutual confidence.
Authentic teamwork constitutes the very foundation of the Ryder Cup. It is an indispensable requirement. The European contingent comprehends this on a fundamental level. This understanding explains why the team adorned in blue and yellow is transporting the trophy back across the Atlantic Ocean, while the United States observes the opposing side’s celebration, attempting to recapture the essence of that sensation.
