2021 Ryder Cup: Captain's Picks Ultimately Decide Who Wins

The time has come to make a Ryder Cup prediction. While the issue, on paper, seems clear cut, it’s not quite that easy.

First, let’s take a look at the two sides. When looking at the Official World Golf Rankings, this contest should be, well, no contest. The Americans have players ranked second (Dustin Johnson), third (Collin Morikawa), fourth (Patrick Cantlay), fifth (Xander Schauffele), sixth (Justin Thomas), seventh (Bryson DeChambeau), ninth (Tony Finau), 10th (Brooks Koepka), 11th (Harris English) and 13th (Jordan Spieth). That’s 10 of the world’s top 13 on one side.

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The Euros do have the world’s top-ranked player in Jon Rahm. But the next highest-ranked European player is actually Viktor Hovland at 14. Rory McIlroy is 15 and Tyrrell Hatton is 19. Paul Casey ranks 24th, with Matthew Fitzpatrick at 27th. Lee Westwood checks it at No. 34, Tommy Fleetwood is No. 37, Shane Lowry is No. 42 and Sergio Garcia is No. 43.

Those rankings alone tell you that this event should not be close. The Americans are, far and away, better players than the Europeans.

But we’ve seen this scenario before. Multiple times. And it almost never turns out the way it is supposed to turn out.

For years, the Americans have come into the Ryder Cup as favorites, only to see the Euros win. The combination of team chemistry and passion for the event almost always seem to carry the Europeans through.

The tables turned on the European team in 2008, when Paul Azinger and his team entered as underdogs. The world’s best player, Tiger Woods, was injured and not able to make the American team. Most people did not give the Americans a chance.

But the team led by Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk used contributions from J.B. Holmes, Kenny Perry and Boo Weekly (among others) to stun the European team at Valhalla. That year, it was the Americans who showed passion for the event. And Azinger’s pod system worked wonders for the Americans.

Since then, the U.S. team has won just once. That came in 2016 at Hazeltine in Minnesota when Davis Love III led the Americans to a convincing 17-11 win.

Europe has won the last three Ryder Cups, four of the last five and seven of the last nine. Despite having more talent almost every time, it seems that the Americans come up short.

Team chemistry is one thing that has hurt the U.S. side but also the format has not done the Americans any favors. The U.S. side tends to struggle, especially in foursomes (alternate shot) because it’s not a format that’s played a lot in the States. In Europe, however, it’s much more common, so the Euro players have a better feel for that particular portion of the event.

Next. Ryder Cup: Padraig Harrington Wise to Choose Ian Poulter. dark

In preparation for the 2021 Ryder Cup, the captains went in opposite directions when making their captain’s picks, and those decisions are what will ultimately decide this Ryder Cup. U.S. captain Steve Stricker went young with his picks, choosing rookies Xander Schauffele, Harris English, Daniel Berger and Scottie Scheffler. European captain Padraig Harrington used his captain’s picks on more experienced players, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Shane Lowry.

The Euros are counting on the experience of Poulter and Garcia, two of the best players in Ryder Cup history. However, Poulter is now 45 and Garcia is 41. Add those to Lee Westwood, who qualified for the European team at 48, and you have the making of a very “seasoned” squad.

Long story short, it’s time for a prediction. I believe that Stricker’s captain’s picks will bring a youthful energy to the U.S. team this year. I also believe that some of the more passionate American players, like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, will fuel the U.S. fire and that the Americans will take back the Ryder Cup 15-13.

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2021 Ryder Cup: Captain’s Picks Ultimately Decide Who Wins

By Tim Letcher | Sep 23, 2021

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