Jordan Spieth’s fall to No5 in the world after an all-conquering 2015 reflects a year of toil but at 23 he has plenty of time to return to the topGolfers tend to look upon world rankings as a consequence of success rather than a key incentive. Still, some figures leap out; Luke Donald a lowly 77th, Hideki Matsuyama at a career high of No6 and, suddenly, Jordan Spieth shuffled down to No5.How did this happen to Spieth? Only 12 months ago he had claimed two of the year’s four majors and taken possession of the FedEx Cup. Even Jason Day’s US PGA Championship victory was insufficient to shift Spieth v McIlroy as the rivalry of choice. Perhaps commentators were a...
USA’s wildcard Ryan Moore sealed victory for the team but Darren Clarke’s picks were more mixed, while Rory McIlroy has become Europe’s chief cheerleader Related: Ryder Cup 2016: USA sweep to victory as Rory McIlroy and Europe taste defeat Related: Danny Willett defends brother’s comments on American Ryder Cup fans Related: Rory McIlroy: Ryder Cup defeat hurts but USA win is good for golf Continue reading...
The 41st edition of the Ryder Cup, the unwelcome utterances of a noisy minority apart, has provided a refreshing change in outlook after a period in which some other sports have been dogged by their usual controversiesIn this sporting era where individuals and occasions are proclaimed as the greatest of all time with bemusing regularity, there is quite a clamour at the top of the pile. The core emotions, and the level of talent, on display as the USA won the 41st Ryder Cup served as a reminder that precious little can class itself as superior to this biennial team‑golf tournament. Related: USA sweep to victory in Ryder Cup as Rory McIlroy and Europe taste defeat Related: Ryder Cup 2016:...
Fans’ behaviour has not reached the levels of Brookline in 1999 but some of the worse actions have left a bad taste in the mouthFinding appropriate context or comparison for the behaviour of spectators at a Ryder Cup is not particularly easy.Golf has no team equivalent of similar profile. Chanting or cat-calling does not even approach the territory of football matches. If the sense of tribal atmosphere was removed from the galleries completely, the definition of the Ryder Cup would be damaged. What we have witnessed over two fiercely competitive days at Hazeltine has not reflected the routinely nasty scenario of Brookline in 1999. Related: Ryder Cup 2016: USA lead Europe 6½-5½, day two fourballs – live! Continue reading...
Some things are more traditional than others when it comes to the 41st match-up, but all are likely to have a place at Hazeltine in Minnesota this weekendThe first thing that happened at the inaugural Ryder Cup in 1927 was the team captains played each other. Back then there was no doubting the importance of the captain, leaders on and off the course. But since 1963, when Arnold Palmer became the last to also wield his clubs, the role has become partly tactical, partly motivational and largely about turning up to press conferences and flirting with sponsors. Perhaps it was because the captains started to feel a little unimportant that the role of vice-captain was invented, because only exceedingly important...