The Ryder Cup: 5 reasons why we love it

From the Miracle at Medinah to the Battle of Brookline and the War on the Shore at Kiawah Island, there is something truly exceptional about the Ryder Cup. The excitement and fervor, the grandeur and intensity – at times, it seemed that the chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A” were only momentarily interrupted, six years ago at Hazeltine, by the resounding “I believe that we will win” refrain, a nadir for the sporting anthem.

And so, we embark on another journey, this time in Rome, where the spectacle unfolds from Friday, promising three days of sporting drama witnessed by a global audience. With throngs of spectators lining the course, ready to witness the full-scale showdown between the United States and Europe. It all kicks off with the foursomes and fourballs, leading up to a tantalizing climax on Sunday with the singles matches.

The Ryder Cup holds a special place in the hearts of fans, whether they follow golf year-round or not. Here are five reasons why this tournament has become a beloved institution:

Five reasons to love and watch the Ryder Cup

1. The aggressive spirit of the Ryder Cup

Team golf transforms the sport from an individual pursuit to a collective endeavor. The typical “every-man-for-himself” nature of tour golf is set aside as players unite for a common goal. This week, players have been streaming in and out of news conferences, each one expressing their unwavering commitment to fight for their fellow teammates. While many of the world’s top players have gathered, there will be no individual champion; only a triumphant team will emerge on Sunday evening.

Golf crowds may occasionally irritate players during the regular season, but for the most part, they are a respectful bunch. However, at the Ryder Cup, frenzies break out as team allegiances shift the perspective of spectators. Partisanship mirrors that of a football game; boisterousness is initially frowned upon but eventually becomes an integral part of the Ryder Cup experience. Trying to temper the enthusiasm and noise of a Ryder Cup crowd would likely have the opposite effect. The crowd becomes an essential part of the event, inspiring some players while causing others to shrink under the pressure. And this dynamic plays out on both sides of the Atlantic.

“I think that the Ryder Cup epitomizes everything that’s great in the game of golf,” remarked Europe’s Rory McIlroy. “It’s competitive, but there’s also a lot of sportsmanship shown. And obviously there’s partisan crowds and all of that, but that’s part of being in a team environment. You’re going to have a majority of the crowd rooting for one team or the other. I think the most animated I’ve been in my career has been at Ryder Cups. It just brings something out of you that you don’t get playing individually.”

2. The Ryder Cup stars

Although Ryder Cup is a team game, there is always one player who emerges as the hero. Five years ago, Italian golfer Francesco Molinari accomplished a rare feat by winning all five of his matches, becoming the first European to do so. Throughout Ryder Cup history, there have been unexpected standout performances from players like Boo Weekley and Christy O’Connor Jnr.

One of the most romantic stories is the all-Spanish partnership of Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal, mentor and apprentice, who secured 12 points out of 15 matches played together. Their compatriot Sergio García has since become the Ryder Cup’s all-time leading points scorer with 28.5 and counting.

Interestingly, the star player at the Ryder Cup is rarely the leading figure in the world of golf. Even a 15-time major champion like Tiger Woods went winless in all four of his matches at the last Ryder Cup and has a modest overall record of 13 wins out of 37 matches in the event. In this competition, players like Colin Montgomerie and Ian Poulter have at least matched, if not surpassed, golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, despite not having a major championship to their names.

3. What happens off the course

The role of a Ryder Cup captain is crucial, as their selection choices can define the tournament as much as the players on the course. The pressure to win is immense, and the captain’s decisions, including pairings and motivational speeches, can make or break a Ryder Cup campaign.

For instance, Nick Faldo, a legendary Ryder Cup player, struggled as a captain at Valhalla in 2008. His questionable pairings and mishandling of the team dynamics in both the press room and team room led to disappointment. Graeme McDowell, reflecting on that tournament, noted, “What was missing for us? We didn’t have that extra spark in the team room, didn’t have that X-factor in terms of someone to get up and rally the troops.”

Effective captaincy involves finding the right combinations, and when a captain gets it right, they can enjoy the fruits of their decisions. This year appears to be more friendly than some of the past... but there’s time yet for things to get feisty!

4. The Ryder Cup kits

The fashion choices at the Ryder Cup have often been a subject of conversation. The outfits for both teams last time out exuded a touch of class and understated elegance, which might disappoint those who enjoy the spectacle of flashy ensembles.

Over the years, the Ryder Cup has witnessed its share of fashion disasters. One notable example was the USA team’s waterproofs during the 2010 match at Celtic Manor, which allowed water to seep in during the rainy Welsh weather. This forced team officials to scramble for more reliable gear from on-site merchandise suppliers. The already garish outfits, adorned with large-lettered player names on the back, were deemed unfit for purpose by several players.

In 1999, the USA made a fashion faux pas with shirts featuring countless framed photographs of past Ryder Cups. Although the design appeared more suitable for bargain racks, it became the iconic outfit in which the Americans clinched victory at Brookline, etching their triumph into Ryder Cup history. However, such designs are unlikely to resurface on future Ryder Cup uniforms.

In contrast, European teams have typically opted for more subdued and conservative attire, possibly to avoid disapproval in the clubhouse or to maintain a sense of tradition.

5. Ryder Cup’s unpredictable comebacks:

The Ryder Cup is arguably the pinnacle of sporting drama, and Europe’s remarkable 17.5-10.5 victory over Tiger Woods and his team in France left the hosts yearning for sweet revenge, which they duly grabbed in the last edition.

Jordan Spieth noted that “maybe it takes two or three years if you’re playing really well to have four or five times you’re in contention in a major, but you get to do it three, four, five times this week.”

On the final day, the intensity reaches its zenith, and a team’s overnight lead is by no means a guarantee of victory. At Medinah in 2012, the US team led 10-4 at one point on Saturday, only to see Europe mount a comeback started by winning the final two matches of the penultimate day thanks to the magic of Poulter and McIlroy. The likes of Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer did the business on Sunday to give Europe a 14.5 to 13.5 win.

Crazy scenes would follow on the greens of Brookline as Team USA came back from 10-6 down to win by the same margin.

We can’t wait to see what stories emerge from the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio.