When analysing the Ryder Cup, things can become a little overblown. We are bogged down in stats, pairings and form, but in reality the biennial contest is decided by which team holes the most putts. However, there are four key ares that Team Europe do need to come together, if they are to be sure of the victory that many expect of them.
Europe’s Big Stars Need To Deliver
Europe are coming into this week as favourites for three reasons. Firstly, their dominant record during the last two decades, with home advantage also coming into the reckoning. However, it is the top of the European team that has garnered attention. Four of the world’s top six ranked players are included in McGinley’s 12, with four-time major champion Rory McIlroy the clear standout. Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose are the other members of Europe’s ‘big four’, with their performances during the past couple of years placing them amongst the absolute elite in the game.
On paper at least, it would be hard to argue against Europe’s top half being stronger, but these players have to deliver if that apparent strength is to become advantageous. All four (particularly McIlroy) will be scalps for Tom Watson’s men, and each point gained by the American’s against them will only galvanise the visiting side even further.
The Rookies Have To Play Their Part
Like the American team, Paul McGinley has three rookies at his disposal; Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson and Stephen Gallacher. All three have had excellent seasons, and fully merit their place on the team. However, like any Ryder Cup, it is key to embed these rookies. Since Mark James controversially left out Andrew Coltart, Jarmo Sandelin and Jean van de Velde until Sunday at Brookline, the common consensus has been to play your rookies as soon as is feasibly possible.
Donaldson is coming into the week in excellent form, following his tie for fourth on Sunday at Celtic Manor (a course similar in nature to Gleneagles). Consistent and solid, he should be a valuable asset for McGinley in terms of versatility, but it is Victor Dubuisson whose role this week should prove to be intriguing.
The Frenchman has broken through during the past year, with his performances in Turkey and Arizona being particularly impressive, but little is known about the 24-year-old. Very shy and withdrawn, the player from Cannes is something of an enigma. Clearly, that adds a complication in a team environment, with the majority of Europe’s players knowing just as much about what makes him tick as the average fan at home. But there is no doubting his quality as a golfer.
Stephen Gallacher will be one of the stories of the week. The 39-year-old Scot made a heroic effort to qualify for the team outright, missing qualification by just a single shot. His efforts convinced Captain McGinley to select him as a wildcard pick, which places the nephew of Ryder Cup legend Bernard Gallacher in a dream position. Competing on home soil.
All three have undisputed quality, but the Ryder Cup is a whole new experience. The pressure of standing on that first tee is a sensation only understood by those who have been in that position. Some have thrived under that anxiety, while others have withered. Jose Maria Olazabal remains the hallmark for a rookie, but these three may have a critical role to play in determining the destiny of the Samuel Ryder Trophy.
Improvement Required In Foursomes/Fourballs
Historically, the European team was generally regarded to be strongest in foursomes (and in more recent times – fourballs). Their players would seemingly partner better together than their American counterparts, but that hasn’t proven to be the case in recent encounters. Europe have only won a single pairs session in the last two Ryder Cups, while the United States have won four. This serves as a reminder of just how close the matches have been in recent years, but it also suggests that the U.S. have been able to discover successful partnerships. In the end, Europe were able to scramble to victory in 2010 and 2012, but a dominant singles performances (alas Medinah) cannot be continually relied upon, otherwise Tom Watson’s team may just spring a surprise at Gleneagles.
Ian Poulter And Lee Westwood Need To Find Their Games
Both Englishman have been stalwarts for Europe for more than a decade, with Westwood making his ninth appearance in the Ryder Cup. His inclusion as a wildcard pick was somewhat controversial, with a number of observers believing that Luke Donald would have been the shrewd choice. Neither have been in consistently strong form this season, but Westwood’s experience and influence behind the scenes may prove invaluable. Paul McGinley may have felt he needed the 41-year-old as an unofficial team leader.
Ian Poulter could also stake a claim for that title, with his talismanic performance at Medinah placing him in the category of Ryder Cup legends. Winning 12 of his 15 career matches, the 38-year-old was a certainty for a pick – despite his insipid form this year. His passion and intensity for the event cannot by surpassed, but that will only count for so much if his game hasn’t picked up from the destitute levels it was during the summer.
Both Westwood and Poulter have earned their big reputations, but they need to find some game if they are to add to their impressive portfolio of Ryder Cup achievements.
So, if Europe’s team successfully complete the above objectives, then retention of the Ryder Cup is an inevitability. Or, I suppose they could just try to make more putts than the Americans.