In the recent history of the Ryder Cup, numbers only matter up to a certain point. They're crucial for reaching the top six rankings and qualifying for the team. They matter much less on the course during those three days. On the green, it's not the world ranking that makes the difference, but rather grit and team spirit.
Ryder Cup, news
The numbers themselves say it. Team Europe has won five of the last seven Ryder Cups, namely the four on home soil plus Medinah. But in all seven editions, Team USA had the strongest players on paper. This advantage was lost once they set foot in the locker room and on the course. The Europeans, for their part, truly knew how to work as a team and win by putting their heart and soul into it.
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As you can see in the table, in recent editions, the average placement in the World Official Golf Ranking of the twelve players on each team has always favored the Americans.
YEAR VENUE WINNER US AVERAGE RANKING EUROPE AVERAGE RANKING
2023 Marco Simone Europe 12.9 30
2021 Whistling Straits USA 8.9 30.8
2018 Paris Europe 11.4 19.1
2016 Hazeltine USA 16 27
2014 Gleneagles Europe 16 19
2012 Medinah Europe 12.2 18.9
2010 Celtic Manor Europe 17.3 18.25
The average was embarrassing at Whistling Straits, more than twenty places behind the hosts and visitors. And indeed, that time it ended very badly for the Old Continent.
Otherwise, Team Europe has always been in the game, defying all the odds based on numbers. At Celtic Manor in 2010, the gap was narrowest (just under a point), and on the course, it was a four-day battle (Colin Montgomerie's team finished 14.5 to 13.5).
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The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are played outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respecting the rules is a fundamental element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or through carelessness, due to the failure of many players to comply with the rules of the game. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.
