When it comes to the sport of any kind, it is rivalry which helps transcend it to new heights and when it comes to the discipline of golf, there can be no greater rivalry than that of the prestigious Ryder Cup.
For those who are unaware of what this competition is all about, it is one that sees the best golfers from America and Europe go to war over the course of three days and although this pastime is primarily an individual one, this is all about team play.
Whereas before it used to be America taking on a team from Great Britain and Ireland, it was often felt that stateside dominance was too strong and with Europe’s best being frozen out of proceedings, there was scope to make the cup far more competitive.
Something that came around in 1979 and with nearly 40 years of Ryder Cup action that has subsequently followed, it is fair to say that it is a far less one-sided affair, since the inclusion of European players.
A balancing act which has arguably made this duel one of the most anticipated within the world of sport and with the world being a rather different place over the past 18 months, it has allowed that anticipation to build even further.
Anticipation will see the two teams finally go to war in just a few days and although golf can be considered a rather serene sport at times, there is absolutely no doubt that this weekend will be a war of attrition.
A war which the United States will want to win, especially after being humbled back in 2018 and although it is difficult to record a whitewash over the course of the three days, their defeat was as close as it could be.
Because with the format being as it is, nobody can win until Sunday and on that very day, Europe played some of the best Ryder Cup collective golf that has ever been witnessed, as they pummelled their American counterparts into submission.
Which means the United States are undoubtedly going to be out for revenge and if they are confident of dishing it out, then the Hard Rock online sportsbooks are also sharing such optimism at present.
Before the first ball has been teed off in anger, it is this year’s hosts who have been priced as the favourites and if the formbook is adhered to, then it will see the United States take back ownership of such a prized possession.
To do that, they must earn themselves 14.5 points over the course of the weekend and if they only manage to earn 14 over the same time period, it will see Europe maintain the Ryder Cup by the smallest of margins.
Because due to the way the points are handed out, there must be a clear winner – if there is a draw at 14-all, it means that whoever won the previous edition of the Ryder Cup, is then allowed to keep hold of it.
Although Europe may have the slightly weaker squad in terms of individuals, they have always approached this with a team ethos and usually, the sum of their parts is one that often ends up being greater than the whole.
Something that was certainly the case three years ago, as there was an obvious team bond between the 12 men who took to the course and it was that very bond that led them to a sensational 18.5 to 10.5 victory.
While not only will they look to replicate the same team bond this time, but they also have a secret weapon in their arsenal. Although, in fairness, being able to call upon the talents of Jon Rahm is no great secret.
That’s because the Spaniard is currently the world number one and although he had a rather disappointing showing at the recent Fortinet Championship, there was something of a mitigating circumstance.
One that came from being unwell and although he failed to make the cut at the end of Friday’s second round, he is likely to make a full recovery before linking up with his 11 European Ryder Cup teammates.
Of course, Rahm alone cannot lead Europe to victory, but he can certainly make a huge contribution to their efforts and if his cohorts all chip in with points of their own, then the Americans could be in for a rather long weekend.
