Experience is vital
Padraig Harrington takes his European Ryder Cup team to Milwaukee to take on America at Whistling Straits. It is a tough task for Europe because America will have the majority of the crowd. Europe only have one player in the top ten in the World which is Jon Rahm where as America have eight players in the top ten.
Europe have a good chance in retaining the Ryder Cup. Rory McIlroy is a leader of the European team now and he needs to lead from example by going out and winning a point in the Foursomes. A three-day competition could suit McIlroy because the last tournament he played in was the Tour Championship and he was under par for three rounds. If anyone can turn it on under pressure it’s McIlroy because he is the best golfer when in full swing. Jon Rahm will be ready to go because he is a recent major champion and Rahm gave Cantlay a great match at East Lake. Rahm is Europe’s best player and he has to play all five matches. Tyrell Hatton hasn’t been playing well lately but he won at Wentworth last year. Hatton knows that he has good rounds in him.
Elsewhere in Europe’s Ryder Cup team you have a lot of experience in seasoned campaigners. Ian Poulter is the Postman. Poulter is a different player in the Ryder Cup. Sergio Garcia is Europe’s leading points scorer. Garcia played well in the FedEx Cup as he made it to East Lake. Last season Garcia ended the draught as he won on the Pga Tour again. Paul Casey is also a seasoned campaigner when it comes to Ryder Cup. Paul Casey has showed great form this year as he competed well in the majors this year. Casey is a great ball striker and this is something you need at Whistling Straits.
There is a few rookies on the team. Shane Lowry was brought up playing on links courses in Ireland and is a former Open Champion. Victor Hovland is also a rookie but Hovland shows no fear as he won his first tournament outside America this Summer in Germany. Bernd Wiesberger kept his nerve at Wentworth a couple of weeks ago. Wiesberger has won some big tournaments over the last few years such as winning the 2019 Scottish Open.
If Harrington gets his pairings correct Europe could push America all the way. They Europe team will have to generate their own noise this weekend as many European fans can’t travel due to travel restrictions. Europe need to fill the early groups with their best players such as Rahm, McIlroy and Hovland. The first Foursomes session is crucial if Europe have any chance of retaining the Ryder Cup.
Score prediction Europe 15 America 13