Is capitalism also killing the U.S. in the Ryder Cup?

Watching the USA lose its fourth Ryder Cup in the last five was painful for so many reasons, particularly because it reaffirmed that the best European players are better than the best from America. Maybe that, in itself, makes a Europe versus United States competition unfair.

The USA is a big country, but it’s only one country. The Europe team can take players from England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain and love to play against us. They have all the international pickings, and they picked us apart, a 17½-10½ blowout that was essentially over long before singles Sunday.

Maybe there is less sentimentality on Europe’s side; its best players make the team and those playing the best golf stay out there. Tiger Woods was a popular choice after his surprisingly sensational summer, but when he got to Paris he looked like he needed a nap. Tiger lost all four of his matches, two four balls, one alternate shot and the singles to someone named John Rahm, who didn’t appear intimidated in the least.

Phil Mickelson was on the team for clearly sentimental reasons, a tribute to his great career. But Phil is 48 and was playing the worst golf of his life. Captain Jim Furyk used him in only two matches, but going 0-2 still made Mickelson the biggest loser on both sides of Ryder Cup history with 21 defeats. Tiger is now second with 20.

While there is a process to making the Ryder Cup team, there are also the Captain’s picks, like Mickelson and Woods. Phil could have been a valuable assistant captain like the injured Tiger in our last win at Hazeltine in 2016. But he took the spot twice of someone who is a better golfer today.

I also think that the multi-million-dollar game that golf has become over here hurts us when it is time to forget about the seven-figure purses and the $10 million FedEx Cup. The Europeans enjoy playing team golf more than the Americans do. They seem to have more camaraderie, more fun; maybe they play more four-ball and alternate-shot matches for practice.

Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy have their own planes like every top American pro, but golf is way more capitalistic over here. PGA pros are used to playing for money; maybe pure nationalism gives them the yips.

Featured image: https://golfible.com/golfible-photos/

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