U.S. Dominates at 2020 Ryder Cup, Leading to New Era of American Team Golf

IN DOMINATING EFFORT, TEAM USA WINS THE 2020 RYDER CUP
 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - Although a U.S. win seemed predictable going into Sunday at the 2020 Ryder Cup, no one thought it would happen in this fashion. 

Whistling Straits was again the scene of something truly special. Team USA has won the 2020 Ryder Cup, with a dominating score of 19-9 over Team Europe. This is the largest margin of victory by a Ryder Cup team since the tournament switched to its current format in 1979.

 

 

SUNDAY SINGLES SUMMARY

The lead was 11-5 for the US heading into Sunday singles matches. A win for the US seemed imminent, but there was still hope that the Europeans could stage a comeback.

As the rounds kicked off, it was the Europeans who came out firing, taking the lead in several of their matches. Rory McIlroy, who had performed poorly so thus, went ahead of Xander Schauffele after the first hole and was determined to win his point. He did so, winning 3&2 and becoming only the 5th European player to win a point in the event so far.

But the Americans were quick to quash any chances of a potential comeback. In a momentum-killing match for the Europeans, Scottie Scheffler managed to find an edge over Jon Rahm and was poised to beat him, the player who was responsible for most of Europe's points. 

 

It was a sign of things to come, as the Americans kicked it into overdrive and at one point were leading 9 of the 12 matches. Incidentally, Team Europe needed to win 9 of 12 to retain the cup. It was cruel luck, but just goes to show what players are capable of doing.

 

In the end, the U.S. would win seven points (Cantlay, Scheffler, DeChambeau, Johnson, Koepka, Thomas and Berger) compared to three points by Europe on Sunday. Incidentally, it was Europe's veterans who won the points: McIlroy, Poulter (who remains undefeated in singles) and Westwood, with Hovland and Fleetwood halving their matches against Morikawa and Spieth, respectively. The clinching point for the U.S. was won by Collin Morikawa, who with a birdie on the 17th hole guaranteed the U.S. the half point they needed to get to 14.5.

 

Everything seemed to be going the Americans' way on Sunday and again we saw dominant golf by all. But despite this, there was one player who stood out most. Dustin Johnson, the oldest player on the U.S. team at age 37, won his match against Paul Casey by one point to go undefeated all week, going 5-0-0. This is a remarkable feat and something only done a handful of times under the current format. What's even more impressive is the players he took down along the way: Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Tyrell Hatton, Bernd Wiesberger and Victor Hovland; exactly half of the European team.

A NEW ERA OF AMERICAN TEAM GOLF IS FORMED

Going into Ryder Cups past, there were always questions about just how much of a team the American players could form. They were higher ranked, drove the ball further, but always struggled in unity. This had been their biggest fault and the cause of much failure over the years. 

These same questions were asked about the younger-than-normal American team this year, but Captain Stricker assured us all that things were different this year. 

 

And boy were they different.

 

What we saw at the 2020 Ryder Cup was the birth of a new era of American team golf, centered around a group of young players who, despite their youth, are highly intelligent and united golfers. A true camaraderie has developed, and as we mentioned in our op-ed on the Ryder Cup, this is something essential to winning. For the first time, I saw an American team where each and every member was friends with one another and supported everyone. We also got to see some amazing partnerships develop, between Johnson and Morikawa, Scheffler and DeChambeau, Schauffele and Cantlay, etc.

 

At their press conference afterwards, this camaraderie was on full display. You could tell that you were watching a group of friends, bonded by such an experience and journey, celebrating their success as one. You could tell something deep had developed and, as Assistant Captain Phil Mickelson said, the nucleus of the U.S.'s team golf future had formed. 

 

It all culminated with a hug between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, two players once deep in a bitter feud; a sure sign that the ways of old for American team golf had ended and a new era had begun. If this Ryder Cup is any indication, it will be a fun group to watch over the years.

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

What we saw this week at the Ryder Cup was something truly special. The golfing skill that the Americans brought to each and every hole and match was simply astonishing. Everyone was firing on all cylinders, all the time, and never let off until the end. As a fan, this edition of the Ryder Cup featured some of the best, guttiest and amazing golf shots I've ever seen.

 

The Americans outplayed the Europeans in virtually every aspect, it's as simple as that. They were more consistent, steadier, and when they struck, struck harder. To me, what was most impressive and a real contrast between the two teams was their iron-play. The rate at which the Americans could stick their approaches close to the hole, despite the situation or conditions, was simply amazing. This is a testament to the raw skill that each U.S. player has in their own regard; its not hard to see why they are some of the top-ranked golfers in the world. Unfortunately, the Europeans could not match this intensity, albeit had brief moments of it.

Not only did we see a dominant performance by the Americans, we saw the birth of a new era of team golf for them. This is something that should be worrisome for the Europeans for future Ryder Cups. The group of 20-something and 30-something year olds that is the American team will be around for a long time. The ball is in the Europeans' court now. They've seen the firepower of this U.S. team and it's up to them to respond for the next Ryder Cup. 

 

***

 

And with that, we unfortunately come to the end of another edition of the Ryder Cup. One of the worst parts of the tournament is waiting the two years for it to be played again. 

 

Speaking of which, the Ryder Cup returns in 2023 and will be played at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, Italy. Europe will be seeking redemption but will need to do some soul-searching before then to prepare for the Americans.

 

Let the countdown begin!

What was your favorite moment from the 2020 Ryder Cup? Let us know in the comments below,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

US on Brink of Victory Going Into Sunday at 2020 Ryder Cup

Dustin Johnson celebrates after winning a hole during Saturday fourballs
 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - The all important Saturday matches have concluded at the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits and the US has taken a commanding lead of the event. As it stands heading into the Sunday singles matches, the score is 11-5 for the US.

It was a day filled with many ups, downs and lost opportunities, especially for the Europeans who needed a strong counter to the impressive US scoring seen on Friday.

Let's take a look at all the action and drama from the Saturday matches.

MORNING FOURSOMES

 

1) Brooks Koepka/Daniel Berger vs Jon Rahm/Sergio Garcia (3&1)

This match featured Rahm and Garcia, the only members of Team Europe to score points in the event so far. They were hands down the best performing European players at that point, but things started out poorly for them. After three holes, Koepka and Berger found themselves with a three point lead. While demoralizing to European fans, Rahm and Garcia fought back, chipping the lead all the way down by the end of the front nine. The comeback culminated with a chip-in by Garcia at the 9th to bring them to all square. It was all Europe from then on, managing to go 1UP after the 12th and building on their lead right until the end. The Spanish Duo remained undefeated.

 

2) Dustin Johnson/Collin Morikawa (2&1) vs Paul Casey/Tyrrell Hatton

Johnson and Morikawa were a fun pairing to watch on Friday and their play Saturday morning cemented them as a power team for the US. From the start of the match, it was all US, with Johnson and Morikawa taking a 4UP lead at the turn. Credit must be given to Casey and Hatton, who remained determined to win right until the end. The two brought the lead all the way down to 1 point on the 14th, when Casey holed out from 100-yards after Hatton's tee shot found the rough. However, the consistency of good golf on display by Morikawa and Johnson was too much to overcome. They remain undefeated as well.

3) Justin Thomas/Jordan Spieth (2UP) vs Viktor Hovland/Bernd Wiesberger

Thomas and Spieth admittedly were not performing at their best thus far, as neither of them managed to win a match. This looked to continue during their morning match, when Hovland and Wiesberger took a 1UP lead at the 1st hole and grew their lead to three points after the 6th hole. But, Thomas and Spieth would fight back, taking advantage of some poor putting and approaches by the Europeans, and cutting the lead to one after the 9th. A birdie on the 10th squared up the match, but the Europeans would counter with a birdie on the 11th after Thomas and Spieth found trouble. The Americans wouldn't strike again until later in the match, carding birdies on holes 14-16 and swinging the lead to two shots in their favor. Despite a European birdie on the par 3 17th, the match was clutched by Thomas and Spieth after a bogey by the Europeans on the 10th.

4) Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay (2&1) vs Lee Westwood/Matt Fitzpatrick

Westwood and Fitzpatrick were again paired up for their morning matches, hoping to win a point this time. This was a very close match on the front nine, with the lead going back and forth between the two teams. But the US, aided by some great iron-play and putting, took over on the back nine, taking a three point lead after birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, a lead they would hold until the end of the match. Schauffele, despite being a Ryder Cup rookie, has played amazing team golf thus far, and has been key in the US's dominant performance.

At this point in the day, things were looking dismal for Team Europe. The score was 9-3 for the US and only Rahm and Garcia had managed to win matches against the Americans thus far. But, all hope was not lost. The Europeans could put themselves back in it with a strong performance during the afternoon rounds. Plus, the winds were starting to pick up, making for a windy afternoon session at Whistling Straits.

 

AFTERNOON FOURBALLS

 

1) Brooks Koepka/Jordan Spieth vs Jon Rahm/Sergio Garcia (2&1)

The Rahm and Garcia show continued into the afternoon, where the Spaniards struck early, taking a three point lead after carding four birdies on their first seven holes. This match was very exciting and saw some impressive golf shots, between Rahm holing some super long putts that looked like they had no chance at all, to Garcia's indescribable ability to attack the green. You couldn't help but feel that if they lost, Team Europe would have lost. For the US, Koepka, was instrumental in holing long putts to close the gap. The Americans managed to square up the match after a birdie on the 13th hole. But Rahm and Garcia rallied back, making birdie on the 15th hole to retake the lead. A chip-in from Garcia on the 16th hole sealed the deal and kept the two undefeated.

 

2) Tony Finau/Harris English vs Shane Lowry/Tyrrell Hatton (1UP)

When this match began, the winds were howling along the coast holes. This was the perfect scenario for links veteran Shane Lowry, which European captain Padraig Harrington had banked on when he made his pick. This was a very tough match though and a real duel between the two teams. Only three birdies were made between the four players: two for Europe and one for the US. In particular, it was Lowry who was holding up the European side, sinking putt after putt in the most clutch of situations, showing emotion like we've never seen before. It all climaxed on the par 4 18th hole. The Europeans found themselves 1UP, needing to at minimum halve the hole to win. After landing his approach into the steep greenside, Hatton effectively eliminated himself from the hole after his ensuing chip landed short of the green. This put Lowry in a tough spot, as he still had a 10-foot putt to save par and Finau and English had already made their par putts. With the match on the line, Lowry sank the putt, letting out a massive, inspiring yell heard by all. This was probably one of the most important putts of the tournament for Europe, would could not afford to lose anything at this point.

 

3) Scottie Scheffler/Bryson DeChambeau (3&1) vs Tommy Fleetwood/Viktor Hovland

This is the match that the Europeans will be wishing they had won. Scheffler and DeChambeau were struggling with the winds all afternoon, missing fairways and greens at key moments, but Hovland and Fleetwood could not capitalize on their mistakes. The match bounced between 1UP for either side until the par 4 14th hole. DeChambeau was on the green with a lengthy birdie putt, but many believed he was simply lagging the putt to make par. He did not though, and holed the putt, providing a huge momentum boost for DeChambeau and Scheffler and more importantly to square up the match. The duo would birdie holes 15-17 to take the lead and ultimately win the match. This goes to show just how big momentum can be in match play. 

4) Dustin Johnson/Collin Morikawa (4&3) vs Ian Poulter/Rory McIlroy

The Johnson/Morikawa Effect was felt full force by Pouler and McIlroy during this match. The steadiness by Johnson allowed Morikawa to go full out and take on everything. The Americans took an early 1UP lead, but a huge putt by Poulter on the 5th squared up the match. Morikawa then went on a three-hole birdie streak from the 6-8th to boost themselves up to a 3 point lead heading onto the back nine. It was easy sailing for them after this, with Morikawa carding another birdie on the 15th hole to end the match. Johnson and Morikawa were the best pairing of the event, in my opinion, and their dominance proves this. They just seemed to jive together. Playing with a consistent player like Johnson really allowed Morikawa to take chances, and succeed, since he is such a high quality player, particularly his approach game. On the other hand, this is perhaps one of the worst Ryder Cup performances we've seen by Rory McIlroy. He simply could not hole anything, and has only carded two birdies the entire event. Poulter, did show sparks of mounting a comeback, but could not battle Johnson and Morikawa alone. 

***

With the afternoon matches split, the score stands at 11-5 heading into the Sunday singles. There's no need to deny it, a US win is most likely, unless the Europeans can mount a historic comeback. But is a comeback even realistic? To put things into perspective, the infamous "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012 saw the Europeans win after being down 10-6 heading into Sunday. This was the biggest comeback in history.

 

Is it theoretically possible but to get to the magic 14 points to retain the cup, Europe will need to win 9 of 12 available points on Sunday. That means nine European players need to outperform nine US players, when to date, only four have managed to do so. It is improbable, but not impossible. The Europeans have nothing to lose, so why not give it a shot.

The Sunday single matches start at 12PM EST and the pairings can be found here. Have the US storylines already been written for the 2020 Ryder Cup? Or can the Europeans make a comeback? 

 

 

Stay tuned to see who has won it,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

US Dominates After Day 1 Matches at 2020 Ryder Cup

Justin Thomas makes eagle in afternoon match to aid in US domination on Day 1 of the 2020 Ryder Cup (image: PGA Tour)

 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - The 2020 Ryder Cup is underway and Day 1 of action has concluded. As it stands, the US holds a dominating lead over Europe with a score of 6-2. 

 

This is the largest Day 1 lead of the Ryder Cup since 1975 and was the start that the US was looking for. The team managed to win 40 holes today, versus Europe's 27.

Let's break down today's action match by match.

MORNING FORESOMES

 

1) Jordan Spieth & Justin Thomas vs Jon Rahm & Sergio Garcia (3&1)

Match 1 was the most anticipated pairing of the morning, with both the US and Europe going to their strengths first. The match was tight for the first few holes, with Spieth and Thomas taking a 1UP lead after the 2nd hole, but Garcia and Rahm rallying back to take a 1UP lead after the 4th hole. After this, Rahm took over the match with an impressive display of putting, aiding by accurate iron-play by Garcia. The two had a 3UP advantage after the 10th hole, and won by that amount. On the 17th hole, the last hole of play, Spieth, after a poor tee shot by Thomas, was faced with a dramatic chip shot. Their ball was located on the side of a grassy cliff that surrounds the 17th green. With barely a stance possible, Spieth hit one of the most impressive shots I've seen this year, managing to flop the ball straight up in the air, just feet from the hole and nearly stumbling down the cliff doing so. Unfortunately, Thomas could not make the putt to extend the match, giving Europe their first point. For Garcia, this ties him with Sir Nick Faldo for most match wins at a Ryder Cup with 23.

 

2) Dustin Johnson & Collin Morikawa (3&2) vs Viktor Hovland & Paul Casey

This was an interesting pairing, with both Captains Stricker and Harrington opting to pair one of their rookies with one of their veterans. Johnson and Morikawa struck first, taking a 1UP lead after the first hole, but Hovland and Casey rallied back, winning holes 3 and 4 to go 1UP after the 4th. Johnson and Morikawa, aided by excellent iron play and driving accuracy, countered, winning holes 6 and 7 to go 1UP. This lead would continue and grow onto the back nine, with the Hovland and Casey only wining one point on the back nine, leading to a 3UP win and the first point for the US.

3) Daniel Berger & Brooks Koepka (2&1) vs Matt Fitzpatrick & Lee Westwood  

Captain Harrington again decided to pair youth with experience, but things did not pan out. Koepka and Berger, former college teammates at Florida State, managed to take the lead after the 2nd hole and held onto it all match, with Fitzpatrick and Westwood unable to win a hole from the 7th hole onward. This was a tough loss for Europe, since both Fitzpatrick and Westwood had several putts to win holes but could not convert.

4) Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay (5&3) vs Rory McIlroy & Ian Poulter   

This was perhaps the most surprising result of the day. We knew it would be a good one, given the skill between Schauffele and Cantlay and the experience between veterans McIlroy and Poulter. But the Europeans found themselves in unfamiliar territory, and fast, losing their first five holes, to go five down after five. I think this shocked most fans, who could not believe what they were seeing. Poulter and McIlroy began to muster a comeback on the back nine, winning holes 10 and 11. But the lead proved too large to overcome in the end. 

The score was 3-1 for the US after the morning rounds, which was cause for concern amongst European players and fans alike.

 

 

AFTERNOON FOURBALLS

 

1) Dustin Johnson & Xander Schauffele (2&1) vs Paul Casey & Bernd Wiesberger

For this match, Captain Harrington again decided to pair Casey with a rookie in Wiesberger. This turned out to be ineffective against the well performing Schauffele and Johnson. Again, in a growing trend, the US struck first, going 3UP after five holes. The Europeans managed to cut the lead to one going into the back nine, but the Americans were able to counter, taking the lead back up to three over holes 10 and 11, and held it until the end.

 

2) Bryson DeChambeau & Scottie Scheffler vs Jon Rahm & Tyrrell Hatton (halved)

This match saw the much awaited tournament debut of DeChambeau and Scheffler, who were both fan favorites. The match was very close, going back and forth right until the end. Going into the par 4 18th hole, the Americans held a 1UP lead. A victory seemed imminent, but Hatton saw things otherwise. After hitting a huge tee shot on the 18th and following it up with a close approach onto the green, Hatton sunk his birdie putt to halve the match.

 

3) Tony Finau & Harris English (4&3) vs Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry

This was a very good match for the Americans, as both Finau and English played very well.  But it was the Europeans who took an early lead, going 1UP after the 5th hole. But, both English and Finau knew exactly what to do and did it, rallying hard over holes 6-10 to gain a 3UP lead, one that would extend to four shots after the 13th hole. This was a good and dominating win for the US.

 

4) Justin Thomas & Patrick Cantlay vs Tommy Fleetwood & Viktor Hovland (halved)

This is the match that the Europeans will be kicking themselves over. Fleetwood and Hovland held a commanding lead in the match, being three points up after 8 holes. But determined not to be had, Thomas and Cantlay managed to make birdies at holes 9 and 12 to chip the lead down to a single point. A huge eagle on the 16th tied the match up and it remained that way until the end. 

 

The score was 6-2 for the US at the end of the day and Europe managed to not win a single match in the afternoon.

***

On the whole, things are not looking good for the Europeans. Simply put, they were outplayed all day by the Americans. They will need a strong performance on Saturday to even think about being in contention. It will be tough, but we've seen just how hard the Europeans can rally when asked to do so. Saturday's match formats will remain the same, with foursomes in the morning and fourballs in the afternoon. Winds are scheduled to pick up as well.

 

Is this the start of a comeback in the making for Europe? It's too early to tell, but Saturday is moving day and a lot can happen. Stay tuned tomorrow for our Day 2 coverage.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

2020 Ryder Cup Preview

The 2020 Ryder Cup hosted by Whistling Straits is finally here
 

 

HAVEN, WISCONSIN - It is finally here, the long awaited 43rd edition of the Ryder Cup. This time, the infamous Straits course at Whistling Straits, located on the coast of Lake Michigan, plays host. 

 

This is golf's flagship event, the pinnacle of professional golf, on display for us this week. 

The Europeans are the defending champions, after an impressive performance at Le Golf National 2018, but are in enemy territory, as the Americans look to break what has been a Europe-dominated event since the start of the millennium. 

Let's get right into our preview of the 2020 Ryder Cup.

THE FINAL ROSTERS COMPARED

The rosters and captains picks were only finalized just a few weeks ago, with captains watching player performance right until the end of the 2021 FedEx Cup Playoffs.

 

Captained by Steve Stricker, the US roster features Collin Morikawa (r), Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay (r), who automatically qualified for the tournament and Tony Finau, Xander Schauffele (r), Jordan Spieth, Harris English (r), Daniel Berger (r) and Scottie Scheffler (r), who were chosen as captains picks by Stricker. 

On the European side, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Bernd Wiesberger (r), Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland (r), Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Lee Westwood all qualified for the event, with captain Padraig Harrington picking Shane Lowry (r), Sergio García and Ian Poulter, to fill the team. Hovland (Norway) and Wiesberger (Austria) are the first players to represent their respective countries.

At first glance, the European team as a whole is much more experienced in Ryder Cup play, something they will need to rely on heavily playing on US soil. Six of the nine non-rookies on the team have winning records and three of those six (Fleetwood, Garcia and Poulter) have records above 60%. Garcia also holds the records for most career Ryder Cup points at 25.5. Westwood follows closely in 5th place with 23 points (incidentally tied with Arnold Palmer). The European team has an average age of 35 and world rank of 31st.

The American team is younger and theoretically stacked, featuring some of the best players in the world who hit the ball very far. Their average age is 29 and world rank is 9th (the lowest ever rank for a US team), with Dustin Johnson being the oldest on the team at age 37. On paper, the Americans have an advantage here, but as we've seen in Ryder Cups past, this does not always translate into success.

 

We also see some stark differences in the captains picks. Stricker opted to go with younger players with his picks, most of which are rookies, but great players in their own right. Harrington, albeit with less picks, opted for experience in Garcia and Poulter and Lowry, who is the lone rookie pick, but a links veteran. Historically, European picks have fared better in competition, with Europe's picks going 21-19-3 and the US picks going 16-29-2 in the last four Ryder Cups.

Another thing to consider is team chemistry. Typically, Europeans who play on the European Tour are more tight-knit and naturally spend a lot of time with each other, as a result of having to travel across the world for tour events. This is not the case as much for PGA Tour members. How much will this influence team performance this week? Who knows, but as we've seen in the past, having great chemistry is a key advantage at the Ryder Cup.

WHISTLING STRAITS: WHO HAS THE ADVANTAGE?

The iconic Straits course at Whistling Straits is no stranger to high profile events, having hosted the 2004, 2010 and 2015 PGA Championships. The course was designed by Pete and Alice Dye and opened in 1998. For the tournament, it measures a staggering 7,790 yards and par 72. 

The design of the Straits course was meant to replicate the iconic links courses found in the UK and Ireland. Special features include vast elevation changes, undulating tricky greens, and a lot of bunkers/dunes. The course is heavily influenced by the wind and the elements also, being on the coast of Lake Michigan and exposed due to a lack of trees. 

Whistling Straits is a unique pick for a Ryder Cup, especially for an American host, given its links design. The course demands accurate ball-striking and accuracy off the tee, with thick fescue surrounding the holes and numerous bunkers dotted all over the place. Landing the ball on the green is only half the battle, as many of the holes feature tough slopes and tricky pin positions. There's also something to be said about the length of the course, in particular the long par 4s, which can favor longer hitters. Previous golfers, such as Jason Day at the 2015 PGA Championship and Martin Kaymar at the 2010 PGA Championship, all found success at Whistling Straits by excelling in these categories.

 

But perhaps the biggest variable in course difficulty is the weather.  Whistling Straits is very much a  course that must be played in the air, in typical Dye fashion. Given the location of the course however, the winds can pick up at any time and in any direction, making the course virtually unpredictable and increasing difficulty.

 

WHO DO WE THINK WILL WIN?

It is tough to say whether one team outright has a clear advantage or not, there's just too many variables.

 

I think it will be very tricky for both sides. Statistically (and according to betmakers), the US have been given the advantage, with theoretically better players in terms of rankings. But as we've seen in past Ryder Cups, this means nothing unless individual skill can be converted into team success.

I believe Europe has the slightest of advantages overall however. It looks to me like their team is more unified and comfortable around each other, plus the experience they bring with their veteran players like Garcia, Westwood and Poulter cannot be overlooked.

I believe the weather will also play a huge factor, particularly the wind. I think that the Americans tend to flight the ball higher, which could negatively affect them if the winds picks up. On the other hand, strong winds may aid the Europeans, who see these conditions more often. Perhaps this is why Padraig Harrington chose Shane Lowry as a captains pick, for his expertise in links-style conditions. But if the wind is not a factor, I think the Americans can take advantage of the course in some spots with their length. As of now, the weather is forecasted to be cloudy with temperatures around 20 celcius and winds between 10-20mph.

 

Our pick therefore is Europe to win, by a slim margin, perhaps 15-13.

***

Play kicks off early Friday morning with the foursomes matches. Team captains have not released their groupings yet, but all we know is that both teams will be looking to start off strong. 

Since this is a special event, we'll be having daily recaps of the day's action. Also be sure to check out our Twitter feed for live-tweeting during the matches.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

 

 

The Ryder Cup: Passion and Camaraderie Personified

The Ryder Cup: Passion and Camaraderie Personified
 

 

Every two years, the golfing world comes together for something truly special: The Ryder Cup

Considered one of the most, if not the most, prestigious event in golf, The Ryder Cup remains golf's flagship event that transcends tours, an event so grand it can only be played every two years. To be apart of it, in any way, is career defining.

 

As we head into another edition of the Ryder Cup this week, we take a look at what makes this event so special and revered by the golfing world.

WHAT IS THE RYDER CUP?

For those who do not know, the Ryder Cup is team golf at its finest, the ultimate battle between US and European golfers. 

 

Prior to the event, a captain is chosen for both the US and European teams, typically a previous Ryder Cup member, by former Ryder Cup captains. The 12-player team rosters are then partially filled by player performance, the exact criteria varying between the two teams. After this, to fill up the remaining roster spots, captains make special picks for players they want on their team who did not meet the qualifying criteria. Vice captains are also picked by captains, whose role is to aid the captain in decision-making and partner pairing throughout the event.

 

The Ryder Cup is played over a three day period and is a match play event. It features three golfing formats: foursomes, where teammates alternate shots between them, fourballs, where the best score is taken between teammates and singles, where players are matched up one-to-one. 

 

The goal  is the same across all formats: win the match and you win a point for your team, half the match and you receive half a point for your team. The team with the most points at the end of all the matches wins.

UNITY IN A SPORT OF SOLIDARITY 

Professional golf is an individual sport, where success is determined by one's skill and ability to overcome obstacles, both physically and mentally. 

 

The Ryder Cup takes this to another level. Not only must a player deal with their own internal pressure to succeed, they must succeed with the weight of their team and country/continent on their shoulders.

This is where the team aspect comes into play. The stakes are so high, the challenges so tough. Having a solid team, one filled with positive chemistry and genuine camaraderie is crucial to winning; teammates are all in it together and must succeed together, both on and off the course. A strong support system and genuine belief in one another builds confidence, and with that, golfing ability. It's this camaraderie that blossoms between teammates that, in part, makes the Ryder Cup so fun to watch. Whether it was Ballesteros/Olazabal, Fleetwood/Molinari or Spieth/Reed, fans love to see partnerships develop and succeed.

 

With unity comes passion. It is passion that leads to a desire to win, a desire to succeed for your team. The posterboy for Ryder Cup passion as of recently is Ian Poulter, who for some inexplicable reason always seems to play well during Ryder Cups, regardless of what kind of season he had prior. Passion is present not only in the players, but the fans as well. In a sport that typically features a more subdued fanbase (although this is changing as of late), the Ryder Cup is an opportunity for fans to show their passion in a way not possible during typical tour events. It's akin to a NBA or NHL fanbase during the playoffs, players will get cheers from their fans and boos from their opponent's fans. This is why the 2020 Ryder Cup was postponed to 2021, organizers knew that the tournament would not be the same without the devout fanbase that follows the Ryder Cup.

To create unity in a Ryder Cup team is difficult. The aforementioned camaraderie and passion is something that cannot be studied or forced; it needs to develop naturally. Egos must be suppressed and players must realize that it takes a team to succeed. This is where the Europeans, in my opinion, have excelled over the Americans. The ability for European captains of the past to put together teams that just work is remarkable. It takes a special player to be able to handle the pressures of a Ryder Cup and captains must be able to spot this. This is the reason why some of the best professional golfers do not perform well in the Ryder Cup, it's difficult for them to adjust to the pressure.

 

WHY DO WE WATCH?

While we may all watch the Ryder Cup for different reasons, there is something that unifies us all. I believe that we as fans watch the Ryder Cup to witness history being written, live in front of our eyes. We watch to see teams grow and succeed and watch to see the truly amazing golf that is spawned as a result of this. Anything can happen in the Ryder Cup, at any time. Momentum can swing, players can dominate, the recipe is perfect for us fans.

 

When someone asks me what is so special about the Ryder Cup, I ask them to look at the 2012 Ryder Cup. The Miracle at Medinah, as it was known afterwards, was the first Ryder Cup played after the death of European Ryder Cup legend Seve Ballesteros. The Europeans were down 6-10 heading into the Sunday singles, but against all odds came back, winning 9 of the 12 singles matches and halving one to finish with a score of 14.5 to 13.5. It was a display of golf unlike anything I have ever seen. The raw passion the Europeans had was on full display; they're were winning it for Seve, not for themselves.You can't write storylines like that.

So as another edition of the Ryder Cup is played this week, I encourage all golfing fans to watch the event. I can guarantee it will be like no other golfing event or sporting event you've seen. Be sure to not only watch the golf shots, but the player's emotions, the passion and intensity in each shot, the fan's reactions and enthusiasm, and everything else going on in the background. 

 

 

It'll be easy then to see why this is the flagship event of professional golf,

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

Jason Day Wins the 2015 PGA Championship

It's been a long time coming with many ups and downs, but our pick Jason Day has finally won his first major; the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. The Australian finished off the tournament with some style at 20-under, a new lowest 72-hole record, three shots ahead of Jordan Spieth. This is Day's 3rd win this year and 10th win as a professional. The win also moves him to third in the World Golf Rankings.

Despite the varying conditions over the four rounds, Day remained consistent; something which he does so well. He was the only player with four rounds in the 60's. He shot a 67 for his final round with seven birdies and two bogeys and held the lead by two shots or more at any point yesterday. He seemed unaffected by pressure at all, hitting 15 greens during his final round, despite being chased by Spieth. Day said it himself earlier this week, it was only a matter of time before he won a big one and he's come a long way and through a dark past to get here. But, he learned from his mistakes and stared to started to take the game more seriously. For the past several years, Day's always been around the top of the leaderboard in majors, so much to the point that it wasn't surprising. And with a 50% chance of making it into the Top 10 this week, it would seem foolish not to have him as your pick to win. There isn't anyone who deserves this win more than he does and to do it at Whistling Straits is even more special.

Jordan Spieth, despite finishing second and putting up a good challenge for Day, will have his fair share of celebrations. With his solo 2nd finish, the 22-year old has surpasses Rory McIlroy as the World's Number One golfer in the World Golf Rankings. He is well-deserving of this title of course, despite his age, Spieth finished 1st-1st-2nd-2nd in the majors this year; finishes other players could only dream of. When Rory was asked about the loss of his title, he responded well saying that Spieth has been the better player between them this year and is deserving of the title. Rory finished solo 17th this week.

The 2015 PGA Championship will be one to remember, partially due to Jason Day and partially due to the course it was played on. The Straits Course at Whistling Straits has reaffirmed itself this week as being one of the favourites amongst all golfers. Course conditions were ideal this week despite a few hiccups with the weather. It played tough when it had to and played easy when it had to. It's vastness and shear beauty is something we can all appreciate. I'm already looking forward to when the PGA Championship returns here.

Finally, here's how our other picks finished off:

1) Dustin Johnson: T7 at 12-under
2) Jim Furyk: 4-under at T30
3) Jason Day: WINNER

That's another pick win for us and it's the second time in a row that one of our picks has won the PGA Championship (we picked Rory to win last year too). Dustin Johnson could have made a real run at the lead, but had a crazy round of 69. He started with a quad bogey on his opening hole after getting stuck in a bunker for four shots, but then went on to card six birdies and two eagles over the rest of his round. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't carded the quad. Furyk had an average finish at T30.

And that's the last of the majors this year. In just two weeks, we'll be getting into the PGA Tour Playoffs so stay tuned for that. This week however, we'll be covering the Wyndham Championship. Be sure to check out our picks for it.


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

After many years of trying, Jason Day has won his first major, the 2015 PGA Championship

Day Leads, Spieth Follows Going Into Final Round of the 2015 PGA Championship

There's just one round left in this year's PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. As it stands now, Jason Day is our leader at 15-under, with a two shot lead over current Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth. Just a shot behind Spieth lays Justin Rose and Brandon Grace.

Saturday definitely lived up to it's name "Moving Day". The conditions at Whistling Straits were ideal for scoring low and many players took advantage of this. Day shot a 66, but not in easy fashion. He carded eight birdies, an eagle, two bogeys, and a double bogey. Spieth shot a more traditional 65, carding seven birdies. Interestingly enough, Spieth has only made a two bogeys over his three rounds, the least in the field. The two will be paired in the final grouping today, one seeking his first major one, the other trying to put his name in history. I'm not sure what would be the bigger story, Jason Day winning his first major or Spieth winning 3 of 4 this year?

The low round of the day was that of US Open contender Branden Grace, with a 64 (8 birdies). This would have tied the course record on the Straits Course if Hiroshi Iwata hadn't broken it a couple of days ago. Also lurking behind the lead is 2010 PGA Champion Martin Kaymer, at four shots back. He also shot a 65 today. Kaymer was the last winner of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. Due to the controversy with Dustin Johnson in 2010, Kaymer is often overlooked as the winner at times. Kaymer will be paired with PGA Tour rookie and long hitting Tony Finau.

Finally, here's how our picks are doing:

1) Dustin Johnson: T9 at 9-under
2) Jim Furyk: 4-under at T30
3) Jason Day: 1st at 15-under

Johnson is still lurking despite not shooting as low of scores as some players. It'll take some work for him to win today, but golfers have come back from bigger margins before. Furyk may be out of contention, but will be looking for a good finish today; something he does so well.

There's nothing like a Sunday at a major, especially when it's the last one of the year. If the conditions today are as good as yesterday, the winner may not be so clear cut. It wouldn't surprise me if the winner wasn't in the final two groups.

Stay tuned tomorrow morning to see who's won,


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Jason Day Seeks His First Major Win Today

Matt Jones Leads Halfway at 2015 PGA Championship

The benign weather conditions of Whistling Straits couldn't last all day yesterday. By the latter part of the second round, severe thunderstorms had rolled in, causing the round to be suspended. It picked up again early this morning and as of now Matt Jones sits atop the leaderboard at 11-under (he just finished his round a few minutes ago). The Austrailian leads by two ahead of fellow Aussie Jason Day and by three ahead of Justin Rose. The cut has also been set at 2-over.

Jones played well throughout his entire round, shooting a 65. He dropped no shots and made seven birdies to get to this number. Day carded a 67 which consisted of seven birdies also, but two bogeys. It's also worth noting the Jones is T7 and Day is 1st in GIR's so far, showing once again how accuracy is so valuable on a course like Whistling Straits. Jones is also 2nd in driving distance and Day is T13.

The biggest story of the day came earlier on in the round. It was that of Hiroshi Iwata, a 34-year old Japanese golfer, who was unknown to many until now (he did almost win the 2014 HSBC Champions in Shanghai though). Iwata was relatively quiet after an opening round of 77, but stunned many and made history during his second round by shooting a 9-under 63. This is a new course record at the Straits Course and ties the lowest round ever in a major championship. A 63 has only ever been shot 27 times (including Iwata) throughout major history, 13 times at the PGA Championship. He started out well with a 34 on the front nine, but blasted off on the back nine, shooting a 29 made up of five birdies and an eagle. This is only the Japanese golfer's fourth major and many eyes will be on him during his round today; he sits at T15.

Some notables who missed the cut include Tiger Woods (+4), 2015 Open Champion Zach Johnson (+3), Graeme McDowell (+5), and John Daly (+11). John Daly also made news today on the par 3 7th hole. After hitting several of his wedge shots into Lake Michigan, Daly turned to the lake and tossed his club into it. A lucky fan with a boat was able to retrieve it. Daly carded a 10.

Finally, here's how our picks are doing:

1) Dustin Johnson: T10 at 5-under
2) Jim Furyk: 1-under at T37
3) Jason Day: 2nd at 9-under

We've talked about Day already. Dustin, despite a bogey filled round of 73, is still well in contention. Jim Furyk will have to put in a bit of work on the weekend to get into contention. Anything's possible really, especially at Whistling Straits.


The weekend at a major is really something special and always exciting. Be sure to check it our and stay tuned for our round 3 recap.


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Japan's Hiroshi Iwata Sets a New Course Record at Whistling Straits

Dustin Johnson Shoots 66, Leads By 1 at the PGA Championship

After just one round of play at Whistling Straits, the leader of the 2015 PGA Championship thus far is a familiar face; that of our pick Dustin Johnson. He sits at 6-under par and holds a single shot lead over David Lingmerth. This is the third major in a row that Dustin has held the lead after 18 holes.

Dustin's round yesterday consisted of five birdies, an eagle, and a bogey which led to his 66 (note that the course record on the Straits course is 64). He also showed us that he's both long and accurate off the tee, hitting 10 of 14 fairways (fairways which are some of the tightest on tour) and missing only one GIR. On some holes, his distance was an advantage, as he was able to hit the ball over danger zones that other golfers might find themselves it. Typically, golfers either hit the ball a long way or are very accurate, but having both traits is a deadly combination.

Like we saw in the British Open, the afternoon tee times of the first round played in tougher conditions. The scoring average here was a 74.91, compared to a 73.41 in the morning. This was mainly due to high winds that came in off Lake Michigan. Some good rounds were shot in the afternoon, i.e. David Lingmerth's 67. The toughest hole of the day was the 501-yard par 4 18th. It played with a scoring average of 4.654. “You have to hit the fairway,” Danny Lee said after his round; it's as simple as that.

Some other rounds of note were Rory McIlroy's 71. Rory seeks to defend his title this week; he was unable to do so at the British Open due to a soccer injury. He sits at T26 due to an up and down round filled with four birdies and three bogeys. He even found himself in tough water, literally. On the 5th, he landed his ball in shallow water and his ball was partially submerged. The World Number One decided then to just play the shot from the water, rolling one pant leg up (no Stensen undressing required here) and hitting. He landed the ball well on the green and sank the par putt for an incredible up and down. We also saw no lingering signs of McIlroy's injury too, which is great news.

Finally, here's how are picks are doing:

1) Dustin Johnson: 1st at 6-under
2) Jim Furyk: 1-over at T55
3) Jason Day: T3 at 4-under

We talked about Dustin earlier. Furyk shot a 73 yesterday and despite being one of the most accurate players on Tour, his round mostly involved taking and giving shots back all day. He carded four birdies but five bogeys. Jason Day, to no one's surprise, shot a 68 and carded an eagle on the 2nd, three birdies and a bogey. Similar to Dustin, he also hit all GIR's and leads the field in driving distance (Dustin is 2nd); factors which probably led to his success. It just goes to show you how key distance and accuracy will be this week.

There's still a lot of golf to be played. Today's early tee times are currently underway and TV coverage should be on this afternoon. Stay tuned for our next post!


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Dustin Johnson once again leads another major this year

2015 PGA Championship Preview

Well it's finally here, the fourth and final major of the season. We are of course talking about the PGA Championship. This year marks the 97th playing of the PGA Championship and it is being hosted this year at the Straits course at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. It last hosted the PGA Championship back in 2010.

The PGA Championship is probably the most unique and different of the four majors. It's not a country open, like the British and US Open. It doesn't share the same prestige as the Masters either. So what exactly makes it special and deserving of the title "major"? The answer is who's playing and what's at stake. It typically boasts the second best field in a professional golf tournament, just under The Players. We'll be seeing the best of the best players this week play some of the best golf in the world.

The rewards of winning the PGA Championship are perhaps what draws such an elite field. To start, the winner takes home $1.8 million; one of the biggest prizes offered on any pro Tour. They also receive an invitation to the next five Masters, US Opens, British Opens, and Players Championships as well as a life time invitation to the PGA Championship. On top of that, the winner receives a five year membership to the PGA and European Tour. It's clear now why a win this week could provide endless possibilities for a player's career.

The Straits Course at Whistling Straits was designed by Pete and Alice Dye in 1998 and is links-esque in style and beauty. It sits on the coast of Lake Michigan and features many of the typical links concepts such as rolling greens, deep bunkers, and changing weather. In fact, in has over 1000 bunkers (some of which may not even look like bunkers, see below) and even has a flock of sheep running around. It's about as links as you can get on this side of the Atlantic and it's sheer beauty and vastness makes it one of the nicest looking courses in the world, in my opinion. This will be the 3rd time the Straits course has hosted the PGA Championship (2004 and 2010) and it's also hosted the US Senior Open in 2007. In 2020 it will host the Ryder Cup. There's no doubt it will be challenging players this week, as it measures at just over 7,500 yards.

Now our picks this week were based on a three things: determination, momentum, and probability:

1) Dustin Johnson
2) Jim Furyk
3) Jason Day

For a good portion of his career, Dustin Johnson has been in the news and under fire at some point. After his leave of absence, many questioned whether he would win again. But he was determined to do so and he did. What happened at Whistling Straits in 2010 with Johnson is probably remembered more than that actual winner himself (Martin Kaymer of course). In case you've forgotten, on the 18th hole in 2010, Dustin Johnson grounded his club in a supposed bunker, which he did not know was one, resulting in a two shot penalty. If it weren't for this penalty, he would have been in a playoff and may have won. It seems that this, plus his recent shortcomings at the US and British Open, may make Johnson more determined than ever to win a major this week. Plus that bunker isn't in play this year...

For Furyk, he's coming off a good past few weeks. He finished solo 4th at the Canadian Open and finished T3 at the Bridgestone Invitational last week (which he led at one point). He also has three other T5 or better finishes this year and a win. He'll be looking to ride this momentum for a win this week.

And finally, Jason Day and majors go hand in hand. He always seems to play well in majors, no matter what; it's a defining aspect of his career actually. Here's a stat you'll enjoy: in the last two years, Day's finished T10 or better in about 55% of the majors (6 of 11, two of which were the 2015 US and British Opens). That means that going into this week, Day has better chances of finishing in the top 10 than not. And that, frankly, is an amazing stat.

Play kicks off tomorrow morning and remember that since this is a major, we'll be having daily coverage posts of each of the four rounds. Be sure to stay tuned and let us know who your picks are this week by commenting below.


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

The Straits Course at Whistling Straits

The 2014 US Open Preview

The 2014 US Open, one of the PGA Tour's most coveted tournaments, is set to begin at Pinehurst No.2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. But this year, things are a little bit different at the course that is known as the "St. Andrews of American Golf".

To start, Pinehurst No. 2 is tough, even by PGA Tour standards and even by US Open standards, with primarily tough and fast greens. Par seem like a good score this week to most players such as Canadian Graham DeLaet, who will be the sole representer of Canada this week in the tournament.

What's also unique about this course is that it features "natural" growth areas instead of rough on some holes, similar to what is found on links style courses or courses like TPC Scottsdale and Whistling Straits. These areas will make the consequences of bad shots even worse and put even more pressure on the players to perform at their best.

The weather will also be a factor this week, with the temperatures being in the high 80's to low 90's and a 40-50% chance of scattered thunderstorms for all four rounds. But to some, like American Phil Mickelson, this weathered is welcomed. Mickelson said in his press conference today that rain would be very helpful this week, primarily slowing down the greens and making them softer and more vulnerable.

And of course this isn't just your average PGA tour tournament, it's a major, so expect some nervousness and/or excitement from players. And like most majors, it's a tournament rooted in history, pride, and top level golf.

It looks like the US Open this year is bound to be full of excitement, drama, storylines, and good golf. Stay tuned for our picks on who we think is going to win it this year.

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews