American Golf in Good Shape Ahead of Ryder Cup

With just over a year to go until the 2016 Ryder Cup, it is the Americans who look in better shape ahead of the tournament. Despite having won only one of the last six tournaments, home advantage and a crop of emerging talent has placed the Americans in pole position to reclaim the trophy.

The star of the American team is likely to be Jordan Spieth. Spieth has won two of the four majors this year and his surge to the top of the rankings will inspire belief in the American team that they have the ability to beat the Europeans. Although in the past big names players such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have had chequered performances in the competition, Spieth has already impressed for America when he participated in the 2014 version.

Along with Spieth, Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler will also have a big part to play for the Americans. Bubba has had an unsuccessful Ryder Cup career so far, but in America the course will be set up for him to impress. Fowler is yet to taste victory in the tournament but he like Spieth looks like he genuinely enjoys the competition and will be eager to help secure victory when the two team next meet.

There is also a strength in depth to the Americans which hasn’t been seen in recent years. They are likely to have Zach and Dustin Johnson in their ranks, as Matt Kuchar, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed. There may yet be a place in the team for Ryder Cup veterans Phil Mickelson and Jim Furyk, who have had unsuccessful Ryder Cup careers and will be keen to help their nation to victory while they are still good enough to play.

The Americans will also be buoyed by the fact Europe no longer look the force they once were. Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson will be key players for the Europeans, but there appears to little strength in depth. Although the four aforementioned players are currently in top ten in the world, the next highest ranked European is Martin Kaymer at number 21. Key players for Europe in the past, such as Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, may no longer be in their prime and are by no means certainties to make the team.

Although there is still a year to go and the golfing landscape could look very different in twelve months time, it currently looks as though the Americans will have the perfect opportunity to put past heartache behind them and reclaim the trophy they last won in 2008.