The Ryder Cup has become everything golf typically is not.

The slow-moving sport features relentless action from the opening tee shot at 7:10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, and it doesn’t stop (except for darkness) until the United States or Europe gets enough points to win after the singles matches on Sunday afternoon.

Civility gives way to hostility when flags are involved, mostly outside the ropes. Golf really doesn’t have a partisan crowd except at the Ryder Cup, where cheers can be for a good shot or a missed putt. The Ryder Cup is personal.

And yes, there is homefield advantage. Europe has had the upper hand in the Ryder Cup for the last 30 years, but it still has won only four times on U.S. soil. The Americans have seven players on their team who were not even born when the U.S. last

See Full Page