Ryder Cup Stays With Europe

After being originally scheduled for 2022, the 44th Ryder Cup was held in Italy this past weekend.

Every two years, 24 of the best players from Europe and the U.S. compete head-to-head.

This year, the event was specifically held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Montecelio. Furthermore, this is the place where the players from Europe held off a possible U.S. comeback to retain the Ryder Cup.

Ryder Cup Format

Four Ball: In this format, each member of a two-man team plays with their own ball, which allows four balls to be in play on every hole. Each team then counts the lowest of the two scores on each hole.

Foursomes: Each two-man team plays with only one ball per hole in which the players take turns until every hole is complete. Players alternate hitting tee shots.

Singles: Every match includes one player from each team.

Claiming the cup includes having to collect 14 1/2 of the 28 points.

Europe Holds On

After a weekend of consistent success from the European team, the American stars were able to get back within four points on Sunday. However, those stars were still outplayed.

Tommy Fleetwood was able to win the key half-point against American Golfer Rickie Fowler even after missing a putt for an eagle.

Fowler gave up a 2-foot-8 birdie putt which in the end secured the Europe’s team victory.

After holding on, Fleetwood commented, “I’m relieved to be honest”. He continued, “I didn’t think it would come down to the backend. Just to be able to play a part in this week, particularly today, I wasn’t planning on it coming down to us, but I always had it in my mind, ‘Just get your point and whatever happens, happens.’ It was pretty nervy coming down the last few.”

Many believed that the European team was destined to win the Ryder Cup after Friday’s record performance. The team raced out to a 5.5 to 1.5 advantage which included a 4-0 sweep in the beginning session.

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American Heroics Were Not Enough

Following a 2021 win at Whistling Straits, with a score of 19-9, it was believed that a new emergence of American dominance could be on the rise. However, the play of Rory Mcllroy and Tommy Fleetwood silenced those beliefs.

The American team had, for a short time, success when at one moment they were leading in seven matches and had tied in another, but that was not enough. They attempted to manage the biggest Sunday Ryder Cup comeback after trailing 10.5-55.5.

U.S. captain Zach Johnson reflected on the loss. “The defeat is on me, I made some poor decisions and I will reflect. Those 12 guys played so hard and fought for our country.”

The United States of America have now lost seven-straight Ryder Cups played outside the U.S. The last time they enjoyed victory was in 1993.

Ryder Cup Drama In Rome

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On Saturday there was a bit of drama both on the green and in the parking lot during the Ryder Cup weekend.

After American golfers Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark defeated Mcllroy and Matt Fitzpatrick, Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava became involved.

Mcllroy still had a putt to accomplish. Meanwhile, LaCava used this moment to wave his hat to the crowd in celebration. Mcllroy accused LaCava of being in his way which caused some words to be exchanged between the two.

Thirty minutes later, it seemed Mcllroy was still unpleased and was seen getting into an altercation with other American caddie Jim Mackay in a parking lot.

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Zach Johnson had this to say about the incident. “What I saw on 18 was a phenomenal putt and a celebration by some of our guys. I saw passion and all of what’s great in the Ryder Cup come out. And to my knowledge, based on what I was told, that was diffused after the match. And so, I’m told it’s all good. Yeah, that’s really all I know.”