Despite the incessant media blitzkrieg that happens every couple years there's a Ryder Cup, I seem to stand alone in my opinion that the Ryder Cup is a media-driven, sponsor-soaked, over-hyped exhibition of golf.
I mean really, on behalf of the Americans, there hasn't been a whole lot to get excited about in recent Cups. Why? I think it's because the Euro's are more accustomed to acting as representatives of a greater sum than are the Americans, who like our forefathers, are more focused on our individual liberties and pursuits. That's what America is--a giant mass of individuals. Sure, we have our team sports, but allegiance to cities, states or even regions of the country are practically non-existent when compared to our Euro counterparts.
Put it this way: baseball, football or basketball players don't give a hoot where they play or what town they represent. They're after the dollar signs, no matter where that means playing their given sport. American fans are the same way. My fellow editor? He's a Texas Rangers fan, despite being raised on the East Coast and living now on the West Coast. Transplant fans are everywhere! Rooting for your hometeam is reserved for some, but it's nowhere near like it is throughout Europe (and Latin America for the matter.)
I think this is why sports like soccer are so wildly popular in Europe. It's not because soccer is all that interesting, instead it's the appeal a team has in representing an entire city or country. If you're from Madrid, you'll no doubt grow up a die hard Madrid soccer fan. If you're from Rome (Roma), the likelihood of you growing up as a London fan is, well--don't go there. It just doesn't happen. Fans in Europe are true fans of there hometowns or home countries.
That mentality, sense of pride--whatever you want to call it, is definitely stronger among the Euro players than the Americans. In fact, the last couple Cups, the Americans have looked really uncomfortable playing as a unit. I don't necessarily blame them--you can't compete on the greatest Tour in the world these days without being a little self-centered. After all, nobody is going to pinch hit for you on a long par-3, or putt that tricky 4-footer for you. You're on your own out there. So, when thrown into a team situation, the Americans don't understand the meaning of team unity and shared burden (like the Euros do who grew up with that sense of group pride), instead each American player feels as if he needs to carry the whole team. Their giant-sized ego's get in the way. This is why the players get so freaked out and under-perform. They TRY TOO HARD.
So, what would I do if I were Azinger? First, I'd ignore all the media hacks (like me) who have turned the Ryder Cup into the monumental gimmick that it is. Instead, trace back to the roots of Ryder Cups past, when it was a fun exhibition of true gamesmanship. The kind that started the night before with both teams enjoying drinks together and seeing who can outlast the other. Or, add some of the "in your face" trash-talking, the kind that built the game of golf in the 50s and 60s. Bring back the real persona of the Ryder Cup, which was designed to not necessarily to be a cutthroat live-for-this-moment-put-it-on-my-resume type event, but instead a showcase of personalities, skill and most of all, goodwill from one team to another.
If we ditched the horrible matching outfits and let each American use his persona, hubris and most of all talent in his own way, we'd see better golf coming from the Americans. We already see this coming from the Euros. They know how to have a good time and it shows. The Americans? They're just too darn uptight. If they'd only loosen up, they'd win more often.
And as for you media dudes, perched high in the media center with a 60-inch 1080p HDTV screen in front of you, chill out and have another free cocktail. They'll be plenty more drama for you guys to make up in time for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
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