The 2010 Ryder Cup is in the books and in the European win column.
I’m not sure but I think it has been a 17 year drought for the Americans winning the Ryder Cup on European soil……
I am more convinced than ever THIS Ryder Cup could have been ours IF, and only if, the putting had been ‘marginally’ better for team U.S.
I mean when you look at it, the titans for the Americans must have been holding something back the way they played the singles matches today. Woods, Stricker and Michelson played the game ‘for real’ today. It was like looking at Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde compared to their performances the previous two days!
I will eat only ‘half my words’ about TW and his play being not up to par, (pardon the pun), for Ryder Cup play. He showed me absolutely nothing the first two days…NODDA…..Except, of course, his team spirit….rooting for the others on the U.S. team….but heck, the way he played….and putted….it is really all he had…..and to his credit, it was nice to see…
His play Monday looked like Earl, (his dad), had invaded his room at Celtic Manor Sunday night and told him to ‘get over it’…and play….because THAT is exactly what he did….PLAY. And today, at least, Tiger Woods proved himself worthy of Ryder Cup team membership, and for that I am also greatful.
Phil and Steve? Again, were we to eliminate the previous two days of poor putting from these two and TW….Team U.S. would have buried Europe!!! But that is why the term ‘golf’ can be a four letter word from time to time…..Yep, putting. It all came down to that, other bad plays notwithstanding.
We gave ‘em heck Monday and, again, had the flat stick not let Hunter Mahan down, as it had ALL WEEK, we just might have pulled another one out of the can and broken our losing streak in Europe.
While I feel bad for Mahan, I can not get that ‘grin’ he seemed to have all weekend at Celtic Manor out of my mind. That ‘you gotta be kidding me’ grin you get when you miss a putt. Mahan had that grin on his face ALL weekend it seemed.
Now, let’s see, if we all can stay out of trouble and the news, keep everyone in our player’s families healthy, and perhaps have a PGA Match Play Training Camp along with a couple ‘Flat Stick Siminars’ before the 2014 Ryder Cup we just might find a way to end the drought and win on the ‘old sod’…..
Cheers!
About Steve Riggs
30 year Teaching Professional. Originally from Central Ohio. Co-host pro of 41st USGA NATIONAL JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT, Yale Golf Club in '88. College golf at Indiana University. Facility/Program consultant in U.S. and Caribbean. Host/Producer of mynegm LESSON TEE radio show and is a Member of the Golf Writers Association of America.
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