Ryder Cup: Europe wins as the best team at Le Golf National

The Ryder Cup went to Team Europe in a dominant victory, dispatching the Americans 17.5-10.5 at Le Golf National. While their individual talent may not have matched that of the United States, the Europeans triumphed as the markedly better team in Paris.

The Ryder Cup came to Paris with captain Jim Furyk and the Americans, boasting a powerhouse roster from top to bottom. This squad was so stacked, the belief went, that three or four completely deserving players were left watching at home.

The Ryder Cup, however, will be staying in Europe for the next two years, at least, after that powerhouse was dismantled by a European side that most believed lacked the experience – and the form – to defeat the Americans.

The reality is that they won as a team, fully prepared for the challenges that Le Golf National would present. The Americans, for all their talent, simply did not.

Unlike so many over the past three days, I won’t place the blame for this defeat solely at the feet of Furyk. It’s easy to criticize his decision to play some cold hands in tough spots, but that’s short-sighted. Rather, European captain Thomas Bjorn made a ton of decisions that worked out perfectly, and his team responded.

Champion golfer of the year Francesco Molinari went 5-0-0 in his matches this week, closing out Phil Mickelson in singles 4&2 to officially clinch the cup. His partnership with Cup rookie Tommy Fleetwood took a match to the 17th tee just one time. Indeed, their 3&1 victory in the final match of Friday’s morning four-ball might have kept the team’s spirits high, leading to a 4-0 run in that day’s foursomes.

PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 30: Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose of Europe celebrate winning The Ryder Cup during singles matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 30, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

Sergio Garcia, who endured possibly the worst year of his pro career in 2018, won three points for team Europe, defeating Rickie Fowler 2&1 to all but stop the Americans’ comeback hopes in their tracks. He’s now the leading point-winner in Ryder Cup history, as well.

We could go up and down the roster, really, but the difference is relatively simple. The American side could overpower nearly any course in the world, and if they putted even marginally well for a week, they would likely win.

But Le Golf National is not a course to be overpowered. It’s a course to be attacked with a surgical approach. When the Europeans missed fairways, for the most part, it was in the graduated, shorted rough. When the Americans missed, they went big. Punching out from the deep rough gave them pitches for pars and putts for bogeys, and that’s never a recipe for success.

The fact that it came down to later matches on Sunday, really, is a testament to the team’s resiliency. Justin Thomas handled his business, taking down Rory McIlroy in singles, but even that took a horrid break for McIlroy.

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The biggest stars, though, fell one by one. Tiger (0-4-0), Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson. Individuals lost this Ryder Cup, and the best team won.

If nothing else, that’s the message to future Ryder Cup captains (Phil?) who go overseas looking to end the Americans’ road drought. There’s a need for more than just the “hot hand”. You need solid ball-strikers and even better putters to take on the tight courses that Europe will most certainly continue to set up to their advantage.

Bjorn set his team up with that approach in mind, from his captain’s picks down to the specific pairings he rolled out on Friday and Saturday. That was the difference maker. Sure, many of Team USA’s brightest stars underperformed this week, but the contrast in play was so stark that it likely would have taken a flawless week for the Americans to retain.

dark. Next. Why I love the Ryder Cup

Although this Ryder Cup largely lacked in drama, it delivered on its promise: world class team golf, on the grandest stage. We saw the rise of some of the stars of this contest for years to come in Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas and Tony Finau. The competition is as strong as it’s ever been.

And from this American to the European fans and players: enjoy your well-earned victory. We’ll see you in two years at Whistling Straits.

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