U.S. team loses Ryder Cup
By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 10/06/2010
It hurts so bad when you lose, especially when you lose a tight, close, hard-fought competition 14½ to 13½. Not since 1993 had the U.S. team gone across the ocean and captured the Ryder Cup.
Americans had to get up at two am to watch the Ryder Cup on T.V. Because of horrible weather and monsoon-like conditions the first day, the Ryder Cup had a Monday finish. This competition has been going on for 83 years, and this was the 38th
I just want to make one thing perfectly clear, though, just an observation — don't blame Tiger Woods. Don't even think about it. The last year for Tiger has been a year from hell. No athlete in history has ever lost more personally and financially in terms of perception, integrity and credibility over reality.
For example, In 2009 Tiger won nine tournaments worldwide and his second Fed-Ex Cup title, a great year. No Majors; however, he still has 14, more than any player in history except Jack Nicklaus, even after kicking away the PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Minnesota last year. It was Thanksgiving after his now-famous Nov. 27 car accident with a fire hydrant on his own property and the incredible scandal that ripped away his perfect image and marriage.
In 2010 Tiger won zero tournaments, but somehow he still has retained his number-one ranking as the world's top male golfer.
He was a captain's pick for the 2010 U.S Ryder Cup team that went to Wales to retain the Ryder Cup on foreign soil against the heavily favored European team. Remember, the U.S. team won the Ryder Cup two years ago even though Tiger was not on the team because of a knee surgery.
So that's why I want all to know not to put this loss on Tiger. I will suggest some names of players who did not carry their weight.
Tiger Woods’ record in the Wales 2010 Ryder Cup was 3-1. Nobody had a better record than Tiger on either team. Only four players won as many as three points like Tiger: Luke Donald, Ian Poulter for Europe, and Steve Stricker for the U.S.
If I had to pick a scapegoat, someone to target for the U.S loss, I would start with Phil Mickelson, the number-two ranked player in the world; he was just 1-3. Also, Jim Furyk, who won three times this year, the 2010 Fed-Ex and Tour Champion, won just one-half point out of a possible three. Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson also produced only one point each.
The European team captained by Colin Montgomerie appeared to have more passion than the American team of millionaires captained by Corey Pavin. After trailing 2½ to 1½ on the rainy day one, the European team blitzed the Americans on Saturday to take a commanding 9½ to 6½ point lead into the singles finals.
They had a little more fire in their guts, and that is what it usually takes to win. The European team did have two of the three Major champions, and that may have been the difference. I'm proud of the American team, however. They just got beat by a better team.
Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday - Friday at 12:17 pm and 5:17 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com , or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.
