It was never really in question after day one. The Americans led the Ryder Cup competition wire to wire, something they haven’t been able to do in more than a decade…and here they were without the number one player in the world, Tiger Woods. After the individual match play yesterday, Team USA prevailed 16 1/2 to 11 1/2.

It wasn’t that the European team played badly. They didn’t. The Americans just played better and with more heart, especially the younger and older members of the team. Particularly noteworthy was Kenny Perry’s performance. Born and raised just miles away from Valhalla Golf Club where the competition was held, Perry played the tournament of his career and his brilliant short game was rewarded with cheers and autograph requests from his hometown crowd. You’d have thought yesterday that he WAS Tiger Woods (and maybe just for yesterday, he was.)

Also impressive was Chad Campbell, at 34 years old one of the youngest member of the team and a coach’s pick. Campbell went head-to-head with Padraig Harrington yesterday in the one-on-one matches and never flinched, despite the fact that Harrington has one two majors this year and Campbell has yet to win one–ever.

Much has been made today, especially by the British press, about the role of the captains–Paul Azinger for the Americans and Nick Faldo for the European team. Was Faldo responsible for the European loss. Not really. No more than Azinger was responsible for the American win. In the end, it just came down to who wanted to win the most and last weekend, it was the Americans.

^{(Photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse

Eight of the 12 Ryder Cup team members have earned a spot, following the PGA Championship that concluded last weekend. They are:

The other four participants will be chosen by team captain, Paul Azinger. He has until September 2 to make his decision.

Team Europe members will be announced in three weeks. Ten of the members will automatically qualify based on their rankings. Two will be chosen by team captain, Nick Faldo.

The Ryder Cup is September 19 – 21 at Kentucky’s Valhalla Golf Course.

For more about the Ryder Cup, see:
How they pick the US Ryder Cup Team
Azinger announced Ryder Cup captain

Post from: Green Posse

The Ryder Cup, founded in 1927, matches the 12 best American male golfers with the 12 best from Europe. The competition, held alternately in the United States and Europe, features a combination of alternate shot, fourball, and single stroke matches.

The US team is made up of the top 8 players (using the criteria below) and four team captain’s picks. The top players are determined using the following formula:

• Prize money earned in 2007 major tournaments (US Open, Open Championship, PGA Championship, and Masters) at a rate of $1000 equals one point
• Prize money earned in 2008 from January 1 through August 11 in official events at a rate of $1000 equals one point
• Prize money earned in 2008 at major tournaments (see above) at a rate of $1000 equals two points.

The 2008 Ryder Cup Matches will be held in the United States at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY. Paul Azinger is the team captain for the Americans. Nick Faldo is the team captain for the European team.

^{(photo © Newscom)}

Post from: Green Posse