The Ryder Cup: A History of Golf’s Greatest Match

‘But these last 30 years! What a change and what a shock to the Americans that golf, when close and partisan, can be a pulsating and terrifying experience. It has taken the USA most of that time to accept that victory really does matter, that winning requires huge personal commitment and exposure of nerve, and that there is no such thing as a good

show and a top ten finish; it is win or lose, glory or public scorn, and no fat cheque at the end to soften the blow of not quite finishing top … The odds are no longer stacked against the Europeans; indeed, the idea of Europe being the underdogs would seem to be a thing of the past…’

‘Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the recent titanic tussles has been that after three consecutive losses, the United States team felt they needed to win just one match to keep playing; that their top players might start to find excuses for not turning out; that their supporters would lose interest in a contest they no longer seemed able to win. Last time around they did win and strangely, for the very first time, Europe undoubtedly had the better collection of players; Nick Faldo demonstrating how important a thirteenth player the Captain can be, being completely out-thought by his opposite number Paul Azinger. One thing is certain; there is no question of the Ryder Cup stopping now!’