Americans Regain the Ryder Cup

The American team was far too inexperienced to win the 37^th Ryder Cup, right?

The American Ryder Cup rookies played spectacular golf all weekend, but more importantly, they energized a group of tired and battered Ryder Cup veterans who still clearly remembered the thrashing they received at the hands of the Europeans in 2004 and 2006. 

Kim began the day by trouncing Sergio Garcia 5&4 and the rest of the American Ryder Cup rookies followed suit.

Kim’s absolute dominance of Garcia would have brought a smile to the face of every American player who participated in the previous four Ryder Cup events and every fan who was tired of watching Garcia celebrate like a spoiled child who just received yet another new toy from his parents.

The energy produced by Kim’s 5&4 victory over Garcia radiated through to the rest of the day’s matches.

Hunter Mahan completed his undefeated Ryder Cup record by sinking an improbable 40-foot putt on the 17th, forcing a tie with Paul Casey. 

Fan favorite Boo Weekley led for most of the afternoon over Oliver Wilson. 

From the very first tee shot of their match, Wilson never knew what hit him.  Weekley scorched a drive right down the middle of the first fairway and rode his putter off the tee as if he were riding a horse, sending his thousands of rowdy boisterous fans into a frenzy that never ceased throughout the match.

Weekley finally finished off Wilson on the 16th hole, completing a spectacular undefeated weekend, one that will be known as much for his play as for his 10,000-strong gallery of the loudest, most rowdy golf fans in all of Kentucky who were constantly riled up by Weekley’s antics. 

Weekley played outstanding all week and by the time Sunday came along, Wilson just happened to have the unlucky task of taking on Weekley and his circus following.

Hometown hero J.B. Holmes had not played his best golf prior to today’s singles matches. 

The Holmes/Hansen match changed hands several times throughout the afternoon but Holmes was able to regain the lead on the 16th. 

On the par-4 17th, Hanson sent his second shot over the green, leaving the door wide open for Holmes to capture one of the two points that were still needed to ensure an American victory.

Holmes, looking like a seasoned Ryder Cup veteran, took a few deep breaths, stepped away from his ball several times to calm his nerves, and then struck a perfect wedge shot to within four feet from the hole which caused an eruption from the crowd as well as his Ryder Cup teammates who were gathered alongside the back of the green.

Although the rookies seemed to provide the spark that the American Ryder Cup team had been missing over the past decade, it was only fitting that Ryder Cup veteran Jim Furyk won the match that secured the cup for the American side.

Furyk had been a member of the past five Ryder Cup teams and had endured, along with several others, probably the worst run of American defeat in Ryder Cup history. 

When Miguel Angel Jiminez conceded Furyk’s par putt on the 17th to give Furyk the match and the American’s the 14½  points needed to regain the cup, the victory must have tasted even sweeter to Furyk than most. 

The American team finished up their Ryder Cup victory with a final score of 16½ to 11½, not the same savage defeat the Europeans had handed them in 2004 and 2006, but it was more than enough to regain the cup for the first time in nearly a decade.

This year’s American Ryder Cup team has regained the pride of the American golfing community and has given many Americans something to cheer about for the first time in a very long time.

The Americans' win at the 37th Ryder Cup was nothing short of inspirational and could have even brought a smile to many American faces that have been frowning during this tough and turbulent time for the country. 

Sure, the Europeans have still won three out of the past four Ryder Cups, but if the likes of Anthony Kim, Hunter Mahan, Boo Weekly and J.B. Holmes continue to make up the core of future American Ryder Cup teams, the Europeans will have their hands full for some time.