By Luke Sansom, sport contributor and fourth year Politics and French student
In what promises to be an enthralling match-up, Team USA and Team Europe are set to clash at Le Golf National, Paris, for the 42nd edition of The Ryder Cup, from 28-30 September 2018. Despite not having won in Europe since 1993, USA will come into the weekend as the defending champion and favourite with the bookmakers.
A closer look at Team Europe
Despite a crushing 17-11 defeat at Hazeltine in 2016, Europe has emerged victorious in the past 5 meetings on European soil and will rightly go into The Ryder Cup with optimism.
Captain Thomas Bjorn wisely opted for experience in selecting Casey, Garcia, Poulter and Stenson as his captain’s picks, with the 4 having already played in 20 Ryder Cups between them. Among the 8 direct qualifiers, Hatton, Fleetwood, Rahm, Noren and Olesen will all be playing in their first Ryder Cup, and will rely upon senior European figures in the fiercely competitive tournament.
Justin Rose’s remarkable ascent to the top of the world rankings and unwavering consistency will most certainly encourage Team Europe in Paris, where his strong Ryder Cup record and recent form should establish him as a leading figure.
Game on 👊🏼#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/Qel1nw1Hw5
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 27, 2018
Although he has struggled for form in the past year, 2017 Masters champion, the talismanic Sergio Garcia, will bring both experience and a fine match-play record to Team Europe in his 9th Ryder Cup. Englishman Ian Poulter also boasts a terrific Ryder Cup record, having won 12 of his 18 matches across 5 previous appearances.
Francesco Molinari will enter The Ryder Cup in fine form after enjoying a superb season in which he lifted his first Major championship at The Open, as well as the BMW PGA Championship.
After only turning professional in 2016, Jon Rahm has excelled, winning twice on the PGA Tour with a further 3 victories on the European Tour. After a meteoric rise to second in the world rankings, Rahm will be determined to impress in Paris.
4-time major winner, Rory McIlroy, may not have enjoyed his most prolific year on tour but has shown recent signs of coming into form at just the right time. Rookies Fleetwood, Hatton, Olesen and Noren have too displayed fine recent form, and Team Europe possesses an enticing combination of experience and young prospects to match a fine home record.
A closer look at Team USA
A star-studded Team USA will arrive in Paris brimming with confidence, having thrashed Europe in 2016. With Americans triumphing at all but 2 of the last 8 majors, Team USA look a formidable line-up.
USA’s biggest story ahead of The Ryder Cup has been that of Tiger Woods, the 14-time major winner who has flourished on a remarkable return to the game. Woods’ superb form earned him one of Jim Furyk’s captain’s picks, alongside fellow veteran and multiple-major champion Phil Mickelson, who will be making a record-breaking 12th Ryder Cup appearance at Le Golf National.
Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed lead likely U.S. Ryder Cup pairingshttps://t.co/ecl29QPL44 pic.twitter.com/R3a0ZE4XDH
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 27, 2018
Koepka has excelled in 2018, defending his U.S. Open title in June before lifting the PGA Championship last month. The controversial Patrick Reed, who performed magnificently in 2016, also tasted success in a Major championship this year, prevailing at Augusta, and will be raring for the big occasion.
Spieth, one of golf’s biggest names, played a prominent role in the 2016 victory, but has struggled for form in a winless 2018. However, Team Europe will be all too aware that Spieth will pose them huge problems if he finds his form in Paris.
Huge-hitting Major champions Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson have both enjoyed extremely prolific seasons, while fellow automatic picks Fowler and Simpson have consistently performed, reflecting USA’s abundance in strength in depth.
The 3 rookies in Thomas, Dechambeau and Finau will be looking to make their mark and have all enjoyed success in 2018.
Now we know the teams, who do you think wins the 42nd #RyderCup?
— Ryder Cup (@rydercup) September 11, 2018
Predictions
On paper, the formidable USA line-up certainly seems stronger than Europe, and they are being backed as clear favourites to retain the prestigious trophy. The mesmerising unpredictability of The Ryder Cup, however, is bound to affect and heighten the drama, with the not-too-distant memories of the Miracle at Medinah 2012 sure to encourage Europe as they seek to defy the odds.
Featured image by Flickr / Omar Rawlings
