The most fascinating team event in golf begins Friday with the Ryder Cup. Since 1995, Europe has been the better side as they have won 10 of 14 tournaments.
The fact that the Americans are favoured at -145, does not surprise me one bit. Yes, the Europeans have dominated two of the last three events, but if you take a look at the top 10 players in the world, there are seven Americans and three Europeans.
The US will be led by world number one Scottie Scheffler, who has his game in great shape. All Scheffler accomplished two weeks ago in Napa Valley, was win the Procore Championship.
It cannot be Scheffler alone that wins the tournament for the United States. The nucleus of American talent will need to step up and unite. This group contains major champions J.J. Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, and Colin Morikawa. In fact of the aforementioned American players, all of them have two major titles except Spaun, who only has one.
The Americans also need to be excited about the progression of Russell Henley and Ben Griffin, who had excellent seasons. Henley in fact is the one ranked third in the world right now (only behind Scheffler and Rory McIlroy). Meanwhile, Griffin has been in the top 10 in 10 PGA events this year. The world number 11 also won the Charles Schwab Challenge.
It will also be interesting to see how much of an impact American President Donald Trump makes at Bethpage Black (if at all). Remember, the US Open men’s tennis final was delayed because security needed to be in proper order with Trump at Flushing Meadows. On Sunday, don’t be surprised if Trump is part of the celebration for an American victory.
