Ten years ago, The Times of London ran an extensive feature on its sports section front page detailing all that ails the United States' Ryder Cup team. Or, as the feature that ran over multiple pages detailed, they try to compete in a team sport. The sons of doctors, lawyers, dentists and pilots couldn't possibly know adversity the way their proud British working class boys do, and so the Americans fold at the first sign of adversity in the Ryder Cup. But there are some common themes that have defined the Ryder Cup over the past three decades, and especially in the past two, as this year's event gets set to tee off Friday at Hazeltine National Golf Club near Minneapolis. Throw a player once every two years into the Ryder Cup cauldron, and the lack of familiarity with the format certainly can't help your typical American player.

Source: CBC News September 29, 2016 16:07 UTC