Ryder Cup: US looking to avoid past mistakes

Team confident of ending Europe’s hold over biennial event

CHASKA: A US Ryder Cup team more relaxed and better prepared than past losing versions takes a confident attitude into this week’s showdown against holders Europe, who have won three in a row, six of seven and eight of the past 10 over the Americans.

“We’re just tired of being told we haven’t won one in a while,” said two-time major winner Jordan Spieth. “We want this one.”

Spieth recalled the tension of the US losing his 2014 debut at Gleneagles.

“I don’t know why the Europeans have a better record,” said Spieth. “I think they have felt more relaxed going in. I’ve only been part of one. Our experience over there was pretty tense and this one feels a bit different. So we’re confident about that.”





US captain Davis Love had the same job in 2012 when the Americans suffered the biggest last-day collapse in Ryder Cup history to fall.

But Love has learned and a task force instituted after the dysfunctional 2014 failure has led to meticulous planning.

“We have a fresher attitude and I’ve got a better support team around me,” said Love.

Rory relishes leadership role like never before

Rory McIlroy has embraced his leadership role on Europe’s Ryder Cup squad just as six eager-to-learn rookies join the line-up seeking to defeat the Americans for an unprecedented fourth time.



“I have definitely become more comfortable in that role,” said McIlroy. “I relish it. I understand it’s a big responsibility, but I feel like I’m now ready to take that on my shoulders and hopefully lead by example.”

The world number three from Northern Ireland comes off a victory at the US PGA Tour Championship, edging top-ranked US Ryder Cup player Dustin Johnson for the prize.

McIlroy said he always felt more comfortable leading by example in younger days and in many ways he did that by outlasting Ryan Moore to win in a four-hole play-off.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2016.

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