The Only Team Won

Hello. Well, what an emotional, exciting Ryder Cup this past weekend. It was arguably the greatest golf spectacle I've ever seen. However, thanks to the Euros, it wasn't the best competition ever.
What an amazing display of shotmaking the Euros put on. It was great to see so many great clutch shots, especially on Sunday. Even the Americans had a few. As mentioned on the telecast, it was like watching a highlight reel, only it was live.
By now of course the whole US media (and elsewhere) are crucifying the American team, save one (who I will talk about tomorrow). What went wrong? How could a crushing defeat happen twice in a row?
Usually the best way to get a true perspective is to talk to someone from the outside. For that, I discussed the Ryder Cup with Rod, who was born in England, when we were golfing on Saturday.
I mentioned my theories to Rod:

1. The Europeans travel with each other on both the European and PGA Tours, and know each other well
2. The Ryder Cup means more to the Europeans than the Americans.
3. The Americans don't play much match play in their careers, whereas the Europeans play it often growing up.

Rod acknowledged this, but then made a statement I believe upon reflection - the Americans have always been a group of individuals in any sport, but never a team. They've never needed to be a team until recently because they've always had superior talent. Now the rest of the world has caught up, so they can't win it on talent alone anymore. It's like an attractive woman losing her appearance, and having to rely on a personality that never had to be developed to attract men.

Actually, there is one American squad I've seen in my lifetime which I'd call a team - the 1980 US Olympic Team which won gold in Lake Placid. Maybe "Miracle" should've been watched by the Americans.

I agree with Johnny Miller 100% when he says American golf is in a crisis. His stats (only 5 Americans in the top 20, 23 times in 2004 and 2006 combined a Ryder Cup match has gone to the 18th hole, with the Americans winning only once) are irrefutable.

Time to look at your situation more closely, USA. It's going to be a longer drought otherwise.

Regards,

Steve