Golf Update: American Ryder cup team up against the odds at the Ryder Cup in Wales
With the strong European team in competition this year, the Americans have a bleak chance of winning the Ryder Cup. Most of the golf experts consider the Euros as the favourites but one obviously cannot be sure though looking at the European veteran players, they do pose as the stronger side.
The European side is lead by Colin Montgomerie, a legendary Ryder player, who has a competent team including Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, and Ian Poulter. Westwood has been having a great year so far and could be called one of the best players at the current moment. Another player Martin Kaymer is a PGA champion and Angel Jiminez, being a steady leader, is also an asset for the squad. Some weak links in the team maybe Harrington who has not been in the best of his forms, as well as a few are not so adept players which include the Molinari brothers- Edoardo and Francesco- and the young Rory Mcllroy.
On the other hand, the U.S. squad is even more inexperienced. The only two recognized veterans are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, though both do not a Ryder Cup winning history. Stewart Cink has a fair enough Ryder Cup record of 4-7-4 and so has Jim Furyk but they have not played well in recent competitions. Zach Johnson and Steve Sticker, two others on the squad, also do not have much to promise with just fair records and no recent applaud able performances. Some newcomers include Jeff Overton, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler. Fowler did not win on the PGA tour. Dustin Johnson won over the weekends, not just once but twice choking his way out of a victory. However, is this enough to make their fans hopeful?
Not only the rookies but also the experienced American squad have not been giving their best recently. Phil though had a recent win still has not had much success and it also looks that Tiger might not be able to give what he is able to. Most of the players are not expected to do much; some are new, while some are having bad times with no fresh wins in the previous seasons. The Euro seasoned players have been doing great with a number of wins and great forms along with the talented youngsters who also look to contribute enough to their squad. They have also dominated the sport for most of this year, not only on their own tour but also on the PGA tour thus have been successful than ever before. Graeme Mcdowell and Martin Kaymer of Europe won two of the four majors and eight PGAs were also won by them in just this year. America only has a single major win by their player Phil Mickelson.
Colin’s not including Paul Casey is a question indeed, as the player has been playing well but experts say that the team will manage with ease even then. They also have a benefit of being on their home ground. The Ryder Cup being held in Wales will add in their favour with immense support from their fans in their home.
No matter what, the Americans still have their chances. With a lot of effort and assiduous practice, nothing is impossible and one cannot make any predictions beforehand. The fact that Europe is a strong side cannot be denied and odds maker are favouring them. Time will now see whether which team is motivated enough and whether the Americans will yield into the pressure already building up ahead of the tournament with critics already declaring them as the less able or will fight back with all they have. Not only this, but the experts say that this year’s Ryder Cup may not be as competitive as it was during the past few years but it would be surely and amazing one to watch, keeping in mind the history and importance of the tournament for both teams.
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