‘It’s really strange’: Ian Woosnam perplexed by America’s Ryder Cup slump
Ian Woosnam discussed the “strange” form of Team USA with NCG as they fell further behind Europe on day two of the Ryder Cup…
Ian Woosnam was as shocked as any to see America fall further behind Europe at the Ryder Cup.
Luke Donald’s side won the Saturday foursomes 3-1 to build a 9.5 – 2.5 deficit with America having won just one match in the first three sessions in Rome.
Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland inflicted a record-breaking 9&7 win over Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka as Team Europe continued their hot form into day two.
Woosnam, who captained Europe to victory in 2006, questioned if a lack of preparation had led to Team USA being cut seven points adrift.
“Langer did it in America in 2004 and in 2006 with the K Club,” he told NCG at Marco Simone. “This is pretty surprising after the dominance in Whistling Straits. To be so dominant in these first days is incredible.
“It’s quite surprising with the Americans not turning up so good – missed putts and it’s quite interesting what Andrew Coltart said – these guys haven’t played a lot of golf in these past five or six weeks with no tournament.
“Is it bad preparation? Maybe it is. I’m surprised – this course should be perfect for them. These fairways are wide enough, there’s no wind.
“It’s really strange. The only other thing – I was talking to my friend Peter Baker – this course is a little more hilly, it has a lot of slopes on it and you haven’t really got a flat lie.
“I wonder if that’s making a little difference, but then again, you put it on a tee peg off the tee, don’t you? The fairways are 60 yards wide, so there’s no excuse.”
The former Masters champion led Europe to a 10-6 lead heading into the Sunday singles 17 years ago before converting a comfortable 18.5-9.5 victory.
This scoreline tied the victory Bernhard Langer took Europe to in 2004, but both were trounced by the United States in 2021 as they beat Padraig Harrington’s side by 19 points to nine.
On that occasion, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were moved to tears, and so was Scheffler after the Saturday foursomes in Rome, who had been beaten twice in his two matches so far.
It would take an epic comeback from Zach Johnson’s side to win the Ryder Cup in Europe for the first time since 1993, and Woosnam also showed caution despite such blue and gold dominance.
“No one likes to lose,” Woosnam added. “At the end of the day, it’s only a game of golf but that’s how much you want to win and with guys like that who are World No.1, it just shows how much pride he’s got in representing his nation (Scheffler).
“When you’re on a high, it’s hard to come back and these guys are going to have even more pressure on them.
“There doesn’t seem to be too many players on the American side who are standing out to play well, and if you have got one group playing well, you need them all going on all cylinders.
“You never know. If you see a bit of red on the board, it might give them a bit of inspiration.”
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
