2014 Ryder Cup Preview

With the FedExCup playoffs behind us, golf fans are now counting down the minutes until the 2014 Ryder Cup to kicks off at September 26th at Gleneagles.

Adding even more excitement to one of golf’s greatest traditions is the fact that this year’s event will take place in Scotland, where golf was (said to be) invented in the Middle Ages.

If this is your first Ryder Cup, you’re in for a treat. Golf, for the most part, is an individual sport, but the Ryder Cup provides a unique opportunity for golf fans to witness some of their favorite TOUR pros battling it out together in team play events – with a bit of added international flair.

Most of the 24 players competing in the 2014 Ryder Cup are coming off the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup playoffs, where tense nerves and dogfights were commonplace over the last four weeks. During the FedExCup run roughly 125 players faced off in four events fighting for the $10,000,000 million dollar prize, and now just 24 will fight for their country’s pride.

We’re pretty confident that both sides will be a bit tired after wrapping up the long PGA and European TOUR seasons, but there always seems to be a bit left in the tank when the Ryder Cup is on the line.

This year’s USA Roster is being labeled the “Redeem Team” in hopes of making up for their 2012’s blow-up loss to Europe on the final day. Most fans will recall that at the beginning of the final day’s play, the U.S. had a commanding 10-6 lead, needed only 4½ points to seal the deal on a win. You may also remember that as the day Rory McIlroy was escorted in by police after oversleeping and almost missing his tee time by minutes.

No Title

Rory McIlroy gets his time zones confused and arrives late for his Sunday Ryder Cup match vs. Keegan Bradley.

We’re pretty sure he’ll have a gold plated Omega Desk Clock with him this year, so don’t worry Europe fans.

Europe needed 8 points going into Medina in 2012 to retain the cup, and 8½ to win it all. What resulted on that final Sunday turned to be one of the greatest comebacks in Ryder Cup history. With 8 wins in 12 singles matches, the Europeans won the Ryder Cup crown after Martin Kaymer sank his five-foot putt on the 18th hole defeating Ryder Cup veteran Steve Stricker.

2012 Ryder Cup Recap

Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois hosted the 39th playing of the Ryder Cup where Team Europe earned an impressive come from behind win on Sunday. . SUBSCRIBE to PGA TOUR now: http://pgat.us/vBxcZSh Welcome to the official YouTube channel of the PGA TOUR.

The US team has had two long years to plot their revenge, but that certainly won’t come easily.

On paper Europe has the winning team this year, but that means nothing in the Ryder Cup. With all the different formats and unpredictable Scottish fall weather, anything can happen.

Regardless, the teams are locked and we’re done speculating (and at times arguing) over Captain’s picks. Now we just await what will inevitably be three of the most exciting golf days of the year.

As an added note, Mahan, Simpson, and Bradley are taking the places of Dustin Johnson (suspension), Jason Dufner (injury) and what should have been Chris Kirk (overlooked as Captain’s pick by Tom Watson).

2014 Ryder Cup Full Rosters

Additionally, for you newbies out there (any anyone else who’s a little confused by the format) check out our recent article on how the Ryder Cup works for all the nitty-gritty details.

(Cover Photo Credit)