Europe triumphs in Rome at the Ryder Cup: a look back at a historic victory
Last Sunday, Europe once again demonstrated its supremacy by winning the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. A victory which prolongs the famine of the United States which has not won outside its lands for thirty years.
The Europeans dominated the competition winning the match with a score of 16.5 points to 11.5. However, they faced solid resistance from the United States, who ultimately showed a level of play worthy of their reputation.
The Ryder Cup, a competition well anchored in history, was created in 1927. The United States still largely leads the record, with 27 victories against 15 for Europe (12 for Europe admitted since 1979) and two null.
However, the Americans are experiencing a dark streak on European soil, having not won a victory since 1993. This long period of drought for the American team was extended this year with a defeat against a determined European team and in great shape.
The Marco Simone Golf course was the scene of this titanic battle. From the first session, the Europeans took the advantage by winning the first four matches, thus creating a historic gap in the history of the Ryder Cup. Rising stars such as Spaniard Jon Rahm, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Norwegian Viktor Hovland shone and allowed Europe to gain the upper hand from the first encounters.
Despite a comfortable five-point lead at the end of the first day, the Europeans could not afford to relax. The Americans showed a different side of their game during the Saturday morning and afternoon sessions, winning several matches and narrowing the gap to three points.
However, the Americans’ hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed when Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood and Ireland’s Shane Lowry secured European victory almost simultaneously. The European supporters present in mass celebrated this victory in a festive atmosphere worthy of a football stadium.
This American defeat raises questions about the team’s preparation. The American players neglected their preparation by training only briefly on the Italian course. Furthermore, none of the twelve players selected had ever played on the Roman course before. This lack of familiarity with the terrain certainly influenced the final result.
The coming months will be marked by reflections and controversies within American golf. The reasons for “cap-gate”, where some players refused to wear the American team cap for financial reasons, will also be closely examined.
The next edition of the Ryder Cup will take place in 2025 in the United States, in Farmingdale near New York. This will be an opportunity for the Americans to redeem themselves and try to regain the coveted trophy. In the meantime, Europe is savoring its historic victory and is already preparing for the next battle to come.
In conclusion, the 2023 Ryder Cup will go down in the annals of European golf. A resounding victory which confirms European domination in this legendary competition. The Europeans were able to show determination, talent and cohesion to defeat an American team which was unable to adapt to the terrain and which failed to surpass itself. A great victory for Europe, which strengthens its position of strength in the world of golf.