2014 Ryder Cup: No Sunday Miracle At Gleneagles

By Les Bailey | Sep 29, 2014

Sep 28, 2014; Auchterarder, Perthshire, SCT; From left to right European players Jamie Donaldson, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood pour champagne on coach Paul McGinley after winning the Ryder Cup on day three during the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles Resort – PGA Centenary Course. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

I happen to agree with David Feherty’s assessment of the outcome at Glerneagles, and the 16.5 – 11.5 Team Europe victory at the 2014 Ryder Cup. “It wouldn’t have mattered if Tom Watson had sent out players based on height, weight, or I/Q, the outcome would have been the same on Sunday”.

Let’s face it, going into Scotland, and bringing the Ryder Cup home was going to be a tough job for anyone, even Tom Watson.

I understand Phil Mickelson’s frustration at not playing on Saturday and his criticism of some of the decisions Captain Tom made over the weekend, but until the Ryder Cup becomes as important to US Players, and fans as it is to European Tour players and fans, we will continue to watch the European team spray champagne and celebrate victories.

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I also agree with my fellow writer here at Pro Golf Now, Beth Bethel. Patrick Reed was the star of the American Team this week, and his comeback on Sunday to defeat Henrik Stenson was the new blood, Team America needs if they want to compete on this stage.

Although I was impressed with Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed during the team matches on Friday and Saturday, I thought Reed was done after he had the meltdown on Saturday afternoon, and was happy to see him comeback like a fighter on Sunday to win one of the four pure points on Sunday.

In my opinion, Captain Tom did what the American Team needed, and that is let the youngsters play. Get them vested in this process for the future.

Give me twelve Patrick Reeds, and we will begin to fix this Ryder Cup problem, and maybe in the near future Phil Mickelson will Captain a team that is loaded with players who possess the heart and soul that is good enough to go into Europe and bring the Cup home!

What didn’t perform this week at Gleneagles, was the old guard. I think Captain Tom over-estimated the desire of the players who were beaten at Medinah to go to Scotland and play with a chip on their shoulder, and they didn’t.

I personally think Captain Tom would have been much better off with a fired-up Billy Horschel, and a steady Chris Kirk, instead of Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan.

The European Tour players can play in the Ryder Cup and become super stars, where I think most American players view this event as an extra week they have to spend playing golf instead of getting down-time, and spending time with their families.

The crowds at Gleneagles tells the big story. There were more fans at the practice rounds then we see here in the US during PGA Tour events that are not major tournaments. I think the crowds on Sunday would rival those seen on Sunday afternoon at the Masters.

Everyone else in Europe, and throughout the rest of the world was focused on this event while most US fans were watching the Detroit Lions beat the New York Jets.

Wining the Ryder Cup is about making birdies and eagles, but more importantly, it’s about heart and soul, and the desire to compete for something other than yourself. Team Europe has the infrastructure in place in order to develop that heart and soul, Team USA does not.

Team Europe continues to dominate the Ryder Cup competition for one reason, it’s important to them. Until the Ryder Cup becomes important to players and fans here at home, the outcome will not change!