The first question you might ask yourself about this 42nd edition of the Ryder Cup is:
Why the hell are we in France?
It’s an easy question with a complex answer, so let’s get right to it.
In the United States, the PGA Of America controls everything Ryder Cup. In Europe, it is controlled by the European Tour.
The next thing you need to know is that the European Tour is poverty-stricken compared to the fat, overly-wealthy PGA Tour.
The PGA Tour rakes in more than $2 billion and has money to burn.
The European Tour lost $11 million Euros in 2017, about $13 million U.S.
When it comes time for the Ryder Cup to head to Europe, the money-starved European Tour basically sells its soul to the highest bidder. Tiger Woods and the gang are in Paris because France basically out-bid Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. That number came to around $50 million, U.S. or about $43 million Euros. To break it down, $18 million Euros went to the European Tour, to prop it up and ward off bankruptcy. Another $7 million went to upgrades at Le Golf National, the venue outside Paris that hosts the French Open annually. France has also pledged a bundle to build a bunch of six and nine-hole short courses around the country to try and promote golf.
They need to because in France, they just don’t give a spit about golf. Maybe what the French might care about is the government putting up that $50 million because that’s what this has come down to — governments funding this competition.
“My country is not a golf country. We don’t have a golf culture.”
Thus proclaimed the Evian Championship director a couple of weeks back when the women were there playing in their “fake” fifth major.
So that in a nutshell is the answer to our question as to why the hell we’re in France this week.
Next question is:
Will the French get into this the way Brits do in the U.K.?
About 43% of the tickets have been sold to French spectators. And about 100 percent of that 43 percent are coming out to see Tiger Woods.
Which now brings us to the main business at hand. Last go-round it was a U.S. route on U.S. soil — 17-11.
What’s the final result going to look like this year?
The bad news for the United States is that the guy playing the best right now is 42 years old.
The good news for the United States is that the guy playing the best right now is Tiger Woods.
The U.S. team has six players in the top 10, the Euros have four. Dustin Johnson reclaimed the No. 1 ranking after Justin Rose stopped there long enough for breakfast and coffee (16 days). It’s justice because Rose was rewarded twice for choking — first at the BMW where he blew a four-footer to let Keegan Bradley win while he grabbed the No. 1 ranking. The second came on Sunday in Atlanta where Rose spent the entire round choking and his gagging stopped just long enough for a closing birdie that stole the FedEx Cup from Tiger. Ten Million for choking.
All of the U.S. players are in the top 17 except for Mickelson, who finished dead last at the Tour Championship and you have to wonder if we can trust him come Friday?
Ditto for Patrick Reed. He played awful, so did Brooks Koepka. Bubba Watson was a louse — he can thank Phil for saving him from a last place finish.
Jordan Spieth is playing so bad he didn’t make the final 30 and more bad news — he is dealing with wrist tendinitis as is Justin Thomas — both have question marks next to their names.
Don’t be surprised if Ryder Cup rookie Tony Finau plays well. He’s probably been the most consistent guy on this team.
Don’t stress though — Europe has its share of question marks.
Rory McIlroy still can’t putt and last Sunday couldn’t find a fairway. Jon Rahm and Paul Casey played decent at East Lake as they were among the T11s. Francesco Molinari was an uninspiring T21.
Which brings us back to this team stuff.
On Tuesday there were some interesting combinations out there during practice.
Woods and DeChambeau took on Mickelson and Reed. Tiger and Bryson might be paired the entire series, both play the same golf ball (Bridgestone) and that’s a big thing in this competition. Most of the U.S. guys play Titleist with the exception of D.J., the lone TaylorMade guy. D.J. was paired with Rickie Fowler on Tuesday, Jordan Spieth was playing with Justin Thomas. Bubba played with Finau while Koepka and Webb Simpson played together.
Those could be some interesting pairings.
Stay tuned, more to come from Paris.
8 Comments
baxter cepeda
While I cringe at France having a “fake” womens major, I have zero issue with this nation getting a ryder Cup. Just hope they make mostly 9 hole courses; this 6 holes stuff is silly; can always cut a round short.
It does seem 75% of the 24 players are not in form. But perceptions change quickly.
It is going to be a fun week and maybe France gets the bug.
It definetely would have helped to add a Frenchman to the Euro team, seems it was possible.
Levy was in the mid 20s in the Euro points right behind a few guys on the team. Vera was in the top 30 and Dubuison, a match play whizz could have been in the running if captains did not feek pressure to go chalk.
The captains are so unimaginative, scared to stray too far from the list. A french choice would have been criticized but if I was in Bjorns position I would have forced a Frenchman in there in order to fully get the ‘home’ crowd on the Euro side. I would Fully expect any french players to rise up and play out of their mind on their own soild in front of their own people.
Not to mention this Cup is a grow the game initiative and not the lets-second-guess a ceremonial captains decisions event it has become. Opportunity lost imo.
Tom Edrington
Bjorn would have been beaten senseless by his superiors if he had chosen a French player with inferior qualifications to the men he picked.
baxter cepeda
I agree. But superiors never stopped Herb Brooks from picking ‘inferior’ players to create The Miracle on Ice.
I’ll give you a minute to pick up the pieces of your mind.
Underdogs, which the Euros are, gotta get creative. Like I said Levy and Dubuisson just may have made the difference in preserving this Euro run. What I see now is the US outclassing this team, which as you said may not even have the hime crowd in their favor. If only Tiger and the boys can stop acting so surprised when green arent at 14 its over. Imo.
Tom Edrington
U.S. favored? We haven’t won in Europe in 25 years. Plus, you cannot compare golf to ice hockey, please compare apples to apples, Baxter. By the way, check out the rough for this one….the way it used to be at U.S. Opens in the 60s and 70s. Also, Europe has five rookies on the team, they just couldn’t throw a second-rate French player in the lineup just because…
baxter cepeda
Have you seen the Vegas odds ?
Im beginning to wonder if the rough will be a big advantage. Were a little straighter than usual and they are not. Once in the rough I like our boys height, strength, and ability from thick rough over the Euros.
I really do not think being in the mid 20s on the list makes a player second rate.
Im not making a big deal about no frenchman, im just saying it may have helped.
I get the US have not won there in forever. It feels like its time for that to change. It really does.
That being said i’ve sat thru enough of these to know not to get my hopes up too much.
Tom Edrington
Anticipating HUGE crowds, no French players needed……forget the odds, don’t you realize we haven’t won over there in 25 years?
guiltyhd
Let’s see if the truth be told I saw a field of 30 well 29 look like children on a golf course in east lake. My option is build a fire poeple will come to see it ( Tiger ) that is , it’s all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Tom Edrington
Wait until they get a load of the rough at Le Golf National, if you’re 10 yards off-line, you’re hacking it out, many holes there have water on one side and thick, juicy rough on the other…..