Europe Expects
Tom Watson demands of his US players only “to play the same way as they did in order to qualify for the team”. The Watson premise must be that in recent Ryder Cup duals, the US team has simply failed to turn up and play to their potential.
Europe Expects
Europe Expects
Team Europe by comparison is top heavy with players who have exceeded expectations in their Ryder Cup quests, including captain Paul McGinley, and vice captains Sam Torrance and Jose Maria Olazabal. The European players include “Miracle of Medinah” heroes Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and final match winner Martin Kaymer.
Europe is riding the crest of wave of golfing success this summer, with the last 3 majors won by McIlroy (Open and USPGA), and Martin Kaymer (US Open).
The final events on the European Tour have amounted to a farewell send-off to the team, with Jamie Donaldson and Stephen Gallagher playing their way onto the team with impressive performances.
Europe Expects
By contrast, the US team has been beset by a series of setbacks to key players such as Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Jason Duffner, all missing out on Gleneagles. The end of season Fedex Cup failed to capture the US public’s imagination with the unfashionable Billy Horshal and Chris Kirk doing battle over the final 2 weeks for the lucrative $10m bonus prize.
With home soil advantage at Gleneagles, favourable weather conditions, and a boisterous European crowd support, Team Europe expects nothing less than reaching the magic target of 14 points to retain the Ryder Cup.
The main cause for concern for Captain McGinley, other than complacency, is most likely the form of Ryder Cup veterans Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter who both made it beyond week 2 of the Fedex playoffs after average seasons. Rookie Stephen Gallacher also limped out tamely of the Wales Open after missing the cut in his final tournament before the Ryder Cup.
Europe Expects
And, there is the formidable captain of the US Team, 8-time major winner Tom Watson will surely try to somehow find a way to reach his players deep to bring about an unlikely victory in his beloved Scotland.
The Ryder Cup stage is set. Europe expects and the US awaits a historic golfing battle in the heart of Perthshire at Gleneagles.