Cold Open
Every two years the Ryder Cup strips golf of its individual nature and turns it into something larger. No purses, just pride. A country against a continent.
The Ryder Cup matters because it is one of the few times golfers are asked to set aside the self and play for a flag. A win is not banked in a personal record book but carried by an entire nation. That pressure, that pride, and that responsibility elevate the competition into something closer to battle than sport. It reminds us why team golf, played for country, is golf at its purest.
Ryder Cup Prep
The festivities kicked off Tuesday with the opening dinner. I’m shocked at the American’s choice of outfit. Not a tie or proper pair of dress shoes in sight. It’s like RLX (or whomever dressed them) saw Gronk on NFL Live breaking down some tape and said “Yep, that’s what we want”.
How can you not show up to the biggest event in golf dressed to the dimes? A tie and proper shoes at minimum. If anything, it should be a black tie event for the rest of time. A tough start for my American squad.
Many people told me on Twitter that outfit was Keegan’s choice. I think they’re right. He’s a noted “sneakerhead” and Jordan guy through and through. Probably didn’t get the sign off to wear Jordans, so he went with his next best option. Tough start for the captain.
As you read this, the first tee shots are likely just being struck by JT and Bryson. What an electric duo to kick things off. I hope
Despite their sartorial shortcomings (not their fault), I’m pulling hard for the Americans. Anyone who is American and doesn’t pull for the boys in red white and blue should be tried for treason.
Anyway, here is what I’ll be watching for at the Ryder Cup
I’d love to see Bryson dismantle Rory in Sunday Singles.
Will the prohibitive drink prices dull the edge of the crowd? Saw somewhere that it’s $15 bucks for a beer. That’s New York for you.
Will the crowd turn on Morikawa (or the whole US team) if things go sideways? It’s more likely than you think.
We need to get creative with out chants. The Euro’s have a huge advantage as they create songs and sing straight through pretty much every soccer match. I don’t want to hear the tired “I believe that we will win” chant. Let’s get creative.
The crowd. I’m going to see some hideous outfits. I’ll do my best to document for Wednesdays breakdown.
The merch tent. From what I’ve seen, it’s going to be a mixed bag.
I’ll be there Saturday. Meetup at some point at the H&B section of the merch tent. Call it 11am? Hope to meet some of you there.
3 Things I Know I Know
Ranking the best Ryder Cup Outfits of the last 50 years
What’s the best potential Ryder Cup venue that will never be a host? I think its Seminole. But you can make the argument for any old-school golf course that the pros don’t see on a weekly basis.
Many top golf clubs are becoming outing “factories”. Oakmont and Sleepy come to mind, as well as a few others that have caved to the Broken Tee Society model of nonsense. Top tier clubs should reduce the number of outings and increase what they charge.
Logo of the Week
The Gentle Rebuke (TikTok Creatures of the Week)
The last thing a pitch mark sees before not getting fixed.
Amateur Golf Corner
The Crump Cup kicked off on Thursday. Standing in stark juxtaposition to the Ryder Cup, it’s the best tournament in amateur golf, and held at the best golf course in the world.
It’s not easily trackable, but I know a few guys playing and hope to get the inside scoop to share what I think is relevant next week. Stay tuned.
Talk soon,
BTG
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Talk soon,
BTG