Ryder Cup; LPGA

Ryder Cup

The Ryder Cup is only 4 months away so it’s not too early to start the water-jug discussions. So what are the odds this year that the Americans will finally win one? I’m not convinced that collectively they’re going to jell come September. Individually, and on paper, the Americans are better, but even that gap is closing as the European tour players are playing more in the United States and getting used to big-league golf.

However, I still think the intangible that separates this generation’s American golfers from previous generations, is that they are in fact indepedent contractors and it’s very difficult to come together as a team when for 23 months you’re grinding all by yourself week-to-week.

So how come the Europeans can rally round their respective flags? I think it has a lot do with the fact that the European players still hang out together when playing the European tour and generally have a natural camraderie that just bubbles over during Ryder Cup week. Their American counterparts go their separate ways during tournaments here in the United States.

And does it really matter who the captain is? I’m not convinced the captain is anything more than a glorified concierge, dealing with tons of logistics, not the least of which is to pick those hideous shirts and caps we see every two years. Hal Sutton was the ultimate rah-rah type of captain, but for all the primping and posturing he did, the Americans got spanked. Tom Lehman seems to come from a similar mold, that of the underdog who is going to win one for the red, white, and blue.  However, factor in that the Ryder Cup is being played on the Euro’s home turf, and it could get ugly. Color me skeptical, but I’m not convinced the Americans are ready to win yet.

LPGA

Lorena Ochoa continues her tear on the LPGA and won going away last weekend at the Sybase Classic. Annika Sorenstam made a little noise on Sunday, but couldn’t put together a stretch of 5 or 6 holes that might have made a difference. Is Annika’s dominance finally diminishing? I don’t think so. I think she’s having an off year (by her standards), but look for her to challenge in the majors the rest of the year.