Ryder Cup - Are the Americans indifferent because they lost so heavily?

[MisterS3]

This was my first Ryder Cup experience.

Obviously Europe won quite handsomely today.

And so i went to BSG to see the American's response (although i will admit im not sure how representative of US golfing opinion BSG is - hence this thread) and there would seem to be a few, if not quite a few, Americans claiming that they've never really cared for the Ryder Cup. They prefer stroke play anyday etc.

Now it would be easy to claim they are spitting the dummy because their lads took a beating.

But i thought i would ask those of you who've got memories of the days of when the American's were thrashing UK/Europe, and give me your opinion of whether its something we care about far more than the Americans in the past/present. And whether its just a few guys on BSG who are not good losers?

[Triple XL]

The Americans have been steadily losing interest since they have been losing. As you say, it has now got to the point where they are really not that interested. They still like the Presidents Cup as they still win it - enough said !!

[Cliche Guevara]

The yanks said they lost interest in it when they won it every time it was played when they just played GB, now they have lost interest that they lose all the time!!!!!!!!!!

People like Johnny Miller have said the Ryder & presidents Cups should merge, think this is another ego thing with them, thinking that its them v the rest of the world, they just cant hack it that a small place like Europe can beat the stars of the mighty PGA tour.

[Troon Stevie]

It seems to me the same scenario as the Basketball and Baseball in the fact that the USA are all conquering supposedly. Happily ever after is wonderful but its best to forget failure.

I'm sure the USA managed to change the olympic basketball rules so that they could use proffesional players from the NBA and I think that the US players just don't get playing for the pride of their nation instead of a the ususal pay packet.

I wonder whether they get paid in the presidents cup.

[shanker]

I think if you watch the Golf Channel at all and they're interviewing players from the PGA and US Challenger Tour, they seem to hold the European Tour in utter contempt. Most of the Challenge Tour players imagine that they have a far more competitive and higher quality than the European Tour. Admittedly the PGA tour is certainly bolstered by a lot of foreign players, but I think it irks them players from what they consider a predominantly weaker tour can come and thrash the backsides of them not just once but twice.
When you think that Sergio, the strongest looking player in the foursomes and fourball lost quite easily, it looks as the Americans got off fairly lightly and could have lost by a far bigger (if that's possible) score.

[Tin Pot]

I think you have to seriously consider the differences in culture between here and there. Golf reflects their societal of aspirations, it's about the American dream and an individuals success through the American dream - it marks their success and avoidance of failure. For their country to lose at golf is anathema to the point of playing for them.

Or perhaps, they're just sore losers.

[Creosote]

I've lived in the USA, and unless you have had a close relationship with them its quite hard to grasp the national mentality and psyche. Individually, Americans are ok, but on masse they exhibit a national arrogance. Its a "winning is everything" culture, and the worry for the RC is once they feel they cant win they no longer compete in it, or make it a low key invitational event where the top pro's wont compete.
Its also a very invididual society, they never play team or doubles golf, and simply don't get it. A few of them with real resolve are able to rise above their lack of match-play and doubles experience, but for many of them its a complete mystery.

There's little doubt to keep the RC as an important event the USA will need to drastically change both their captain selection criteria and their method of picking teams. Its nuts that DL3, Freddie Couples and John Daly are at home picking their noses while other lesser players are in the RC team. I think its quitre credible that BOTH sides eventually move to a captain picks the team basis.

[Forbesie]

The team selection processes look to be key now. The change in method for Europe means that the top 5 on European Tour & top 5 in World rankings are in add 2 captains picks and you get a team like the one just played. I believe the rankings are taken just from the season directly leading to the RC.

I think the US team is picked over 2 seasons with the second season having more ranking points but this process lead to JJ Henry & Zach Johnson (fairly successful) & Vaughn Taylor & Brett Wetterich (mostly failures although Taylor looked ok in his first game) being selected. However the biggest disappointments were probably Chris DiMarco & Phil Mickelson but I don't think you would leave either of them out for Love, Couples or Daly.

I think the RC proves that the old days of the USA having real strength in depth are fading.

It would be good for fans to have a mini competition, a la RC, where teams from Europe, USA & Rest of World play against each other, maybe with teams of 4, but I can't see it fitting in with players schedules (or finances)

[Newnick]

Also the US system only offers up RC points to those finishing in the top ten (I believe) of any tournie: So, given the proliferation of non-US qualified players on the US tour, it could be theoretically possible for them not to have a team at all!!:)

[MisterS3]

I agree that the US selection process was rather flawed. Especially as Vaughn Taylor and possibly Wetterich did well/won tournaments when the big guns weren't around. From memory. But Newnick you are right about the Top 10s only scoring points.

Also if you look at the top 20 in the world...i think Europeans outnumber US players which says a lot too.

Just need a European Major winner now! :)