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The Future Looks Bright for Europe in the Ryder Cup

By: | Tue 07 Nov 2017


Article by Alex Picken


The 41st Ryder Cup was nothing short of a disaster for the European team. The 17-11 victory for America was the most lopsided tournament win for the country since 1981, and America’s first win against Europe since the 2008 competition in Valhalla. The devastating defeat left many questions looming over the head of Captain Clarke and the fate of European golf.

Most frequently asked by critics was whether or not Europe had enough future talent to sustain a competitive Ryder Cup tournament against this formidable USA side. The talented American team stood out in the tournament with young stars like Spieth, Fowler and Koepka destroying the older generation of European stars. This contrast was highlighted with the failure of many untested European players who struggled in their first Ryder Cup appearances, along with a lack of passion and determination from the more senior European members of the team. The Americans have continued their domination with another impressive performance in this year’s Presidents Cup competition, as more youthful talent like Thomas and Berger have emerged from the ranks, further highlighting the unbelievable strength in depth the American team has. The question of whether Europe will be ready for the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris in September has been raised, the key factor being whether or not Europe has the quantity and quality of talent to go head-to-head with this powerful American force?

The 2016/17 season has been primarily dominated by American success in the form of a masterful, major winning season from Justin Thomas, who won five events, including the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, North Carolina. Added to this was the clinical performances from Ryder Cup team members Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth, winning both the US. Open and Open Championships respectively. However, the season has not been completely overtaken by American power, throughout the year bright sparks of European talent have shown that the future of European golf is not all gloom and doom. The intense Masters play-off between Garcia and Rose at the start of the year showcased the skill and talent Europe’s experienced golfers still have. Combine this with some impressive European tournament wins from rising stars like Jon Rahm, Alex Noren and Tyrrell Hatton on the all new and very challenging Rolex series. Even though the majors have been dominated by impressive American talent, the future of Europe’s Ryder Cup team is showing promising signs towards the end of the season, arguably peaking at the right time.

Making the Cut?

The familiar faces of experienced European Ryder Cup veterans like Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson are sure to be in the starting line-up for the European squad, but here a few new faces to watch out for who might be joining the fray next year.

Jon Rahm – Since the Spaniard turned professional after the 2016 US. Open he has consistently turned heads on tour. Through his unorthodox golf swing and sometimes controversial passion on the course, he has proved to be a talented and flamboyant golfer on both the PGA and European Tours, immediately becoming a big-name player who is always lurking around the top ten of most tournaments. His fiery personality and big hitting game seem to be perfect characteristics for a successful and future Ryder Cup star.

Tommy Fleetwood – The Merseyside man has been a fairly quiet player in previous years, however the 2016/17 has been Tommy’s best year by far, cruising his way into the top 20 in the world. After some brilliant finishes in key tournaments, including a 4th place finish in the US. Open and a 2nd place finish in the WGC-Mexico Championship, Fleetwood started to show he is a serious contender. However, his crowning glory on tour this year was winning the HNA Open De France in Paris, on the course that is the designated location for the 2018 Ryder Cup. His impressive performance on the course rocketed him to 1st place in the Race to Dubai standings, and highlighted that Fleetwood is ready for the challenge of a tough course like Le Golf National, against the best golfers in the world.

Paul Casey – After a decade since Casey last represented the European side, the Englishmen has recently confirmed his membership onto the European Tour for the 2018 season, meaning he will now be eligible again to play for the European Ryder Team. Although Casey has suffered a lot of narrow misses in majors and PGA tour events during his career, his consistency is something the European team of 2016 desperately needed. The 40-year-old has proved himself as an outstanding golfer throughout his 17-year professional career and will most likely be a welcome returned to the European team, bringing a vitally experienced golfing brain to a Ryder Cup side that will be most likely be made up of many young and inexperienced faces.

Tyrrell Hatton – The year of 2017 has been good for the friendly-faced Buckinghamshire resident. After many near misses and frequent top ten finishes, Hatton seemed to be missing the clinical edge that all good golfers need. However, after winning both the Italian Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in back-to-back weeks, it was clear that Hatton had proved his critics wrong. The 26-year-old is currently leading the way on the European points list and if he carries on with his current form, he is sure to be firmly in contention for a key Ryder Cup spot.

Rafael Cabrera-Bello – The Spanish star is looking to maintain his undefeated Ryder Cup record with an appearance in the 2018 tournament. His form this year has been inconsistent at times, but solid major performances in America and a clinical tournament victory in the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open has propelled Rafa into the top 20 in the world and shown him to be a serious contender on both the PGA and European tours. His powerful golf swing and determined stare are the perfect characteristics to have against any match-play opponent, combine this with his brief experience of Ryder Cup defeat which is sure to be a motivation for future success in 2018, and Cabrera-Bello is unquestionably going to be a difficult man to beat in Paris. 

Ross Fisher – The 34-year old European Tour veteran has featured in only one Ryder Cup in his career, helping Europe in their win at Celtic Manor in 2010. His short record in the Ryder Cup highlights his inconsistencies as a professional golfer. When Fisher has performed well, he has proven himself able to compete with the best golfers on tour, consistently challenging with many top ten finishes. Unfortunately for Fisher, his form has frequently dipped, leading to missed cuts and poor performances in major competitions. However, his current form has showed that Fisher is capable of going toe-to-toe with the best of Europe’s elite players, he has jumped into the top ten rankings for the European and World points standing, placing himself in a serious contention for a future European Ryder Cup spot.

Wild Card Picks?

The Captain’s choice for any Ryder Cup are always highly anticipated and the 2018 Ryder Cup picks will be paramount for European success. Just like every year, there are sure to be many unpredictable and surprising choices, here are just a few names that might be possible choices for Captain Thomas Bjorn come September:

Ian Poulter – Mr Postman has been the symbol of European passion and determination at the Ryder Cup for the last few years. His impressive and undefeated singles record at the Ryder Cup highlights Poulter’s incredible match-play ability, which would strike fear into the heart of any professional golfer. In recent time, Poulter has struggled on tour and came incredibly close to losing his tour card, along with missing out on the 2016 Ryder Cup. His game has dramatically changed during this season, strong major performances and plenty of low rounds have placed him in real contention of a possible wildcard pick. His vast experience of Ryder Cup pressure and incredible match-play résumé will be a real asset to a possibly young and untested European squad.

Alex Noren – The Swede was one of the names in contention for a Ryder Cup spot in 2016 and was possibly unlucky to have missed out on a Captains pick, maybe due to peaking at the wrong time. However, this has not fazed Noren, his performances at the start of the season were captivating and impressive, including his unbelievable final round 62 (-10) at Wentworth, winning the tournament by two shots. The 35-year old is a composed and level-headed individual, a calm character who is much needed in a team potentially full of passion and enthusiasm.

Thomas Pieters – His rookie performance in the 2016 Ryder Cup was startling. Pieters started his tournament with a crushing defeat in the morning foursomes. However, he showcased his talent with some brilliant performances later on with partner Rory McIlroy, they went on to remain undefeated for the tournament. He also combined this with a clinical singles victory against J.B Holmes, a small ray of light in a gloomy final day for Europe. Although the year hasn’t been particularly successful for Pieters, the Ryder Cup highlighted how the big-hitting Belgium’s game is perfect for the format of the competition.

Still in With a Chance?

With many names like McIlroy, Rose and Garcia being certain picks for the 2018 team, the number of places are slowly slipping away for the golfers currently outside of the European and World points rankings. However, a few good tournaments or any surprising victories could really turn things around for names like this:

Eddie Pepperell – An outstanding talent who has proved himself in major competitions and recent tournaments. The 26-year old is a long way off reaching the standings to gain a spot in the 2018, but a significant tournament win for Pepperell could really ask the question of Captain Bjorn of whether or not he is worth the risk.

Alexander Levy – The Frenchmen has had a hot and cold season so far, winning the Volvo China Open earlier in the year, along with three other top ten finishes. He currently features low on the points standings due to lots of missed cuts and tournament slumps. However, playing in front of a hometown crowd in Paris in 2018 may give Levy the inspiration to succeed in a European Ryder Cup shirt.

Lee Westwood – The 2016/17 season has been disappointing by the standards of the former World Number one, a lack of tournament wins and only a handful of top ten’s has dropped Westy heavily down the points ranking. Nonetheless, Westwood’s unbelievable record of ten Ryder Cup tournaments, seven of which he has been on the winning side, could prove vital in Paris next year.

These are just a few players I believe will be in consideration or have a serious impact on the outcome of the 2018 European Ryder Cup squad, and there are many more European contenders showing sparks of good form and potential talent who could possibly work their way into strong contention for a spot. The overwhelming consensus however should be that the disappointment of 2016 and the power of the American team is not something the Europeans should fear. The talent and firepower of the current American squad is undeniably impressive at the moment, players like Thomas, Spieth, Johnson and Fowler are possibly in the best form of their lives, consistently leading the way in majors and other PGA tournaments. However, the Ryder Cup is a competition designed to put ultimate pressure on those destined to succeed, and give opportunities to rookies who have the chance to make a name for themselves on golfs biggest stage. Therefore, the Europeans need to realise that they should rise to this occasion just as the Americans did in 2016.

The talent is there, many of Europe’s biggest names are still in their 20’s, consistently improving season after season.

The experience is there, Europe has countless stars with vital experience and knowledge of what is needed to gain victory against the states.

The potential is there, Le Golf National is one of the toughest courses in Europe, a perfect setting for the greatest competition in golf.

The belief is there, Europe has become accustomed to winning the Ryder Cup year-upon-year, and 2016 was a huge shock to the system, Europe is desperate for revenge.

Above all, no matter what the line-ups look like, the tournament is gearing up to be one of the best Ryder Cup’s in recent years. The quality of golf is improving year on year, along with the challenges the golf courses possess. Most importantly is the anticipation of the spectators, the fan base for the Ryder Cup is growing year-on-year, and 2018 is destined to increase the enormity of this beautiful game.


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