Independence Day: Top 5 Team USA golf moments of the last 20 years

One of the best things about international team competition in golf is the way the players get fired up for it. Most of the year, these guys earn their living by keeping their emotions stoically in check. Then, for just a few days, they get to let it all out for team and country.

There’s a lot that goes into team chemistry in these events, and sometimes it takes a spark plug to be the emotional leader in the team room. Over the last four years, that’s a role that Patrick Reed has taken on wholeheartedly.

Reed made his international debut at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. It was there that American captain Tom Watson had the vision to pair Reed with Jordan Spieth, and it was a match made in heaven.

Reed and Spieth won two of their team matches, and halved a third against Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose. In the years since, Reed hasn’t slowed down a bit.

This has never been more evident than at the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. After making a name for himself in 2014, Reed pushed captain Davis Love III to allow him to play all four team sessions alongside Jordan Spieth. His wish was granted – with some help from Tiger Woods – and he came through once again. As good as Spieth is, Reed was simply better that week, and he led the team to a 2-1-1 record. However, he saved his best for last.

Reed got the nod from Love to go out first in Sunday’s singles matches, and his epic battle with Rory McIlroy became an instant classic. Reed’s energy brought out a side of Rory that we almost never see, and the partisan fans in Minnesota ate up every minute of it.

Reed’s match was the only one of the first four to finish that went to the Americans, and it kept the European side from tying things up.

The United States raised the cup for the first time since 2008, and there was no doubt that Captain America made the difference.