Team Europe dominates Ryder Cup again

Many say it is the chemistry of the European team that builds a strong winning bond. How can you disagree with that?

Europe dominated the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland with a 16 ½ to 11 ½ victory over Team USA for their eighth win in the last 10 meetings.

There will be many who will question the leadership of USA Captain Tom Watson. The choice by the PGA of America who brought back the distant memory of when America dominated the event, Watson was the last captain to win on foreign soil in 1993. As player in his four Ryder Cups, the Americans went 3-0-1.

Along with being an eight time major champion including five British Opens, Watson was the oldest to ever captain a Ryder Cup team at 65. Sam Snead was prior at age 57.

Yet nostalgia make up for some questionable decisions. Several that stand out include sitting out the red hot rookie team of Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed on the afternoon of the first day. For the first time in in his 10 Ryder Cups, World Golf Hall of Famer Phil Mickelson sat out the entire day on Saturday and was quite vocal Sunday about the leadership of Watson. Many question Watson for not choosing a hot player like Billy Horschel as one of his captain’s picks as well as putting too much confidence in streaky 2014 Masters Champion Bubba Watson who failed to win a point.

Watson was blunt when faced with the reality of another US failure Sunday.

“I’m going to say, You played your best but it wasn’t good enough,” he said. “You’re going to have to figure out what it takes to play a little bit better.”

While it easy to place blame, the bottom line is the Europeans played with enthusiasm and a hunger to win, a desire that seems to be lacking by the Americans at golf’s most prestigious team event.

Starting the final day of individual matches with a 10–6 lead, the Euros were not about to follow the Americans lead to become the only team ever to lose a four point lead at home.

World number one Rory McIlroy set the tone early, firing six under par on his first six holes as he trounced Rickie Fowler. Graeme McDowell, three down after five holes to Jordan Spieth, came back to win 2 and 1 and Justin Rose was four down after six holes yet battled back against Hunter Mahan for a half.

The win for Europe was official when Jamie Donaldson hit his approach shot to within two feet of the hole for birdie. Keegan Bradley then conceded that match and the celebration began.

Asked for the highlight of the week, European Captain Paul McGinley turned to Donaldson and said, “When you look at a face like that.” He put both hands on Donaldson’s face and hugged him.

The Americans’ brightest spots were the rookies including 24 year old Patrick Reed, who two years ago was more concerned with Monday qualifying than representing the best in thr world. He went 3-0-1 in Scotland.

Also, 21 year old Jordan Spieth was the youngest to ever compete for the USA in the Ryder Cup and went 2-1-1.

Of the 12 person team, this dynamic rookie duo earned six of America’s 11 ½ points. How the other fared:

Keegan Bradley 1-2-0
Rickie Fowler 0-2-3
Jim Furyk 1-3-0
Zach Johnson 0-2-1
Matt Kuchar 1-3-0
Hunter Mahan 1-2-1
Phil Mickelson 2-1-0
Jimmy Walker 1-1-3
Bubba Watson 0-3-0

Team Europe – The 40th Ryder Cup Team Champions
Thomas Bjorn 0-2-1
Jamie Donaldson 3-1-0
Victor Dubuisson 2-0-1
Stephen Gallacher 0-2-0
Sergio Garcia 2-1-1
Martin Kaymer 1-1-2
Graeme McDowell 3-0-0
Rory McIlroy 2-1-2
Ian Poulter 0-1-2
Justin Rose 3-0-2
Henrik Stenson 3-1-0
Lee Westwood 2-2-0

There will be much talk in the days to come on finding the winning formula for America. They now have to wait two more years, when the two teams meet at Hazeltine outside Minneapolis in the next Ryder Cup, to figure that out.