In the world of golf there is nothing more beautiful, exciting and fun than the Ryder Cup, the team challenge between Europe and the United States which is played every two years and the countdown to the 2014 edition has now begun. The race will take place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th on the PGA Centenary Course at the Gleneagles Hotel, in Auchterarder, Scotland, but the 24 chosen have already begun to cross sticks and tools to test the track, test the couplings, develop the latest strategies . Ahead of them there are 28 match play matches, to be played in pairs on Friday and Saturday (formula foursome and 4 balls) and individually on Sunday.
And finally, for once, a very rich and individualistic sport like golf becomes a team game, where the participants fight for glory and not for money. Of course, there are a lot of money up for grabs, given that it is one of the most watched television events on a planetary level, broadcast in 183 countries for about half a billion people and therefore redundant in sponsors, rights, visibility, marketing, merchandising . However, the champions do not directly collect a euro, a dollar or a pound, but fight to put their medal on their chest, to bring or keep at home the small gold cup offered as a prize in 1927 by Mr. Samuel Ryder and which, for the 40th time in history he returns to the game.
Europe starts as favorites, for many reasons: they are reigning champions and with the same score on Sunday they hold the cup; play at home and have most of the crowd on the pitch on his side; finally boasts the number one in the world, the Northern Irish Rory McIlroy. Captain Paul McGinley also brought another trump card to Gleneagles with a wild card: Ian Poulter, the gritty Englishman who dreamed of being a footballer and who, perhaps for this reason, is capable of showing off all his desire to win and to transmit the same energy to his teammates. Poulter didn't shine this season and his position in the world order of merit is currently rather low but the Americans put him immediately behind McIlory in terms of danger level.
The European squad also boasts world number three Sergio Garcia (Spanish), number 5 Henrik Stenson (Swedish), number 6 Justin Rose (English), number 12 Martyn Kaymer (German). The team is made up of the Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and the Danish Thomas Bjorn, while three are the rookies: the Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, the Welshman Jamie Donaldson, the Scotsman Stephen Gallacher, born a few kilometers from Gleneagles. Veteran of the team is the Englishman Lee Westwood, in his ninth appearance in Ryder. The average age of the group is close to 35 years old. They are not very young boys, but they are well run. Maybe even a little tired and this could be the only handicap for the Europeans.
Especially Rory, star of the event in Tiger's absence, has used up a lot of psychic energy over the course of the year, because he broke off his engagement on the eve of his wedding, won two majors, reached the top of the rankings. They are many things. Certainly in the Playoffs he seemed a bit in reserve, on Friday we will see if he has recharged his batteries in a week.
Defeating Rory is important for US morale and he knows it. The stars and stripes team is not to be underestimated. Many "Yankees" are hungry for redemption, after the burning defeat in Medinah, in their homeland, in 2012 and the others are simply hungry for victories, especially since 5 of the last six Ryder editions have gone to the Old Continent. The average age of the United States is 32 and a half years old, but there is no shortage of veterans, starting with world number 4 Jim Furyk and the super famous Phil Mickelson.
Poulter's alter ego is Keegan Bradley, a born competitor, almost invincible in pairs with his friend Phil. The rest of the lineup sees Bubba Watson, number 7 in the world; Matt Kucher, number 9; Rickie Fowler, number 10, who for the occasion shaved his hair so that "Usa" reads on his skull; Zach Jonson, number 16; Hunter Mahan 21; Webb Simpson 33. The debut of the blond hopefuls Jordan Spieth, 21 years old, already number 13 in the world; Patrick Reed and Jimmy Walker, a player who in 2014, at the age of 35, found him the center of gravity of his game. Captain Tom Watson is a golf legend, so when he passes you can only bow, you have to see if his choices and his strategies will be as effective as his golf in the golden age.
The Americans have the psychological advantage of being able to play on the counterattack, to start off against the odds. Against, in addition to the support that, for Ryder, becomes a little more like a stadium and a little less like a fairway, they have, indeed, they don't have two fit guys like Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk, perhaps the golfers with the most ball on the American soil right now.
Whatever reasoning can be done, however, it must be said that Ryder is something else. The direct challenges, the team climate, the last minute surprises in the pairings and in the draws fortunately make predictions impossible. The course is a splendid par 72 of 6500 metres, designed by Jack Nicklaus on an area of dazzling beauty. The weather should only play a bit of a tantrum on Friday. The important thing is that you can play, then a little water and wind can make the show even more interesting and favor the more climate-hardened Europeans.
Sky has been on track since Monday with a channel entirely dedicated solely to the event (Sky Sport 202 HD), where you can see films from previous editions, hear the wonderful chronicles of Mario Shirt and receive an avalanche of news. The team of commentators is led by Silvio Grappasonni, while exceptional guests are expected such as Costantino Rocca and Matteo Manassero. The race is broadcast live from 8,30 to 19,30, Thursday and Friday. There are 12 individual match plays on Sunday: it starts at 12,30 and in the evening we know who wins. For those who don't want to stay glued to the TV for 72 hours, there are evening summaries. Do not miss the opening ceremony tomorrow at 17 pm, with the parade of big names, girlfriends and wives.
