By TERRY LYONS
BOSTON – The marketers behind the 2023 Ryder Cup are not afraid to borrow a phrase or two to promote their wonderful USA vs Europe matches. It was a bit of a surprise to learn the Ryder Cup was “an event unlike any other,” not too far from CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz and his description of The Masters as “A Tradition Unlike Any Other.”
On the PGA of America side of the coin, we learned that the PGA Tour pros gather together to exclaim, “We Love This Game,” a phrase made famous by the NBA’s popular “I Love This Game” campaign of the 1990s.
To steer clear of any copyright and trademark issues, and after watching the first two days of the 2023 Ryder Cup matches from Rome, the suggestion is to edit the tagline ever-so-slightly and etch into stone, “We’re Getting Our Asses Kicked in this Game.’
On Friday, Team Europe was out to an all-important and momentum-building 4-0 start in Foursomes, which was followed by Saturday morning’s 3-1 shellacking. As of this writing and a post on Saturday night about 10pm (ET), the singles matches of the Ryder Cup will be seven and a half hours away (11:35am (local)/5:35am (ET).
If you’re an American fan and haven’t seen the pairings for Sunday’s singles, cover your eyes now. Team Europe captain Luke Donald, needing four points to win the Ryder Cup, is not fooling around, as he placed four of his big-name gems as his first four players out (Rahm, Hovland, Rose and McIlroy).
Should he need back-up, his No. 5 is Matt Fitzpatrick (played 2, won 1, lost 1), and his No. 6 is Tyrrell Hatton (played 3, won 2, lost 0, halved 1).
(Europe listed first)
Match 1
Jon Rahm
5:35 a.m.
Scottie Scheffler
Match 2
Viktor Hovland
5:47 a.m.
Collin Morikawa
Match 3
Justin Rose
5:59 a.m.
Patrick Cantlay
Match 4
Rory McIlroy
6:11 a.m.
Sam Burns
Match 5
Matt Fitzpatrick
6:23 a.m.
Max Homa
Match 6
Tyrrell Hatton
6:35 a.m.
Brian Harman
Match 7
Ludvig Aberg
6:47 a.m.
Brooks Koepka
Match 8
Sepp Straka
6:59 a.m.
Justin Thomas
Match 9
Nicolai Hojgaard
7:11 a.m.
Xander Schauffele
Match 10
Shane Lowry
7:23 a.m.
Jordan Spieth
Match 11
Tommy Fleetwood
7:35 a.m.
Rickie Fowler
Match 12
Robert MacIntyre
7:47 a.m.
Wyndham Clark
The unavoidable questions of “what’s wrong” with Team USA will surface, but the truth of the matter is that Team Europe simply played better golf over the first two days (and possibly the Singles Sunday to come).
USA Team Captain Zach Johnson had the USA well prepared and he had the right 12 players. Maybe, just maybe he could’ve picked Dustin Johnsonover Justin Thomas, but he went with Thomas for the historical strong team combo of JT with his longtime friend and cohort Jordan Spieth.
On the logistical side, a few members of the USA team came up with common cold symptoms, but the tea,m refused to use that as an excuse. Issues such as colds, flu-like symptoms or God-forbid COVID+ are a constant threat to constant trans-Atlantic travelers under stress, the same as it is for business travelers.
Possible solutions:
- Travel in smaller groups (4) on commercial flights or charters, utilizing N-95 masks during travel
- House the players in small groups (2) or (4) max to luxury house rental or spread-out on one floor of a luxury hotel.
- Get on the same time zone 2+ weeks early, and play more practice rounds on European soil. Team USA practiced at Marco Simone Golf Club two weeks prior to the Ryder Cup competition but some players flew back and forth across the Atlantic, adding wear and tear and jet-lag stress to their bodies. They need to minimize travel and potential exposure to germ-incubators that can effect the entire team.
- Maybe a “Team Room” is a traditional setting that can be left behind.
- Cut out the “hat waving” and “Hat-gate” B.S. and act like you’ve been there before.
- While Team USA is at it, they might become more media friendly and allow access to Netflix documentaries and attend media sessions after Opening Ceremonies. All the “no” answers create more negativity within and around the team. It’s the little things that begin to add up.
- Once the Team USA Roster is determined, designate one player spokesman and a back-up from the most seasoned and affable players on the golf team. USA Vet Rickie Fowler could have been very helpful with media obligations during the week if Captain Johnson knew in advance of his line-ups.
- Included in the extra stay in the European time zone, build in one or two “media days” and give media advanced access, and designate a day/time for media to get still head shots, set aside time and complete any network TV obligations. Advance plan and stage a newsworthy photo op and short media availability twice a week while on European soil. Once the photo obligation is complete, Team USA can be treated to a great meal or a stop to surprise and create extra bonds between the players.
- The more an atmosphere of normal interaction is created, the less stress, pressure and tension will be on the players come competition time.
- Embrace the local culture, language and customs to show respect to the host venue, the European players and the fans will appreciate it.
If all that fails … hit some putts and stay an extra hour on the practice greens.
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HERE NOW, THE NOTES: As soon as the Ryder Cup golf tournament is settled on Sunday morning, you can turn your TV dial/remote/satellite to watch the NFL in London. The Jacksonville Jaguars are crossing the pond, once again, this week facing the Atlanta Falcons. See all NFL odds and betting options: Jags (-3) over Falcons
This is the 10th year the Jags have played in London, but this trip is different as Jacksonville will play back-to-back games in England, as the home team at Wembley Stadium against the Falcons, but as the away team at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. It’ll mark the first time an NFL team will have an extended stay in the regular season since the league launched its International Bowls in 2007.
The Jags’ front office staff hopes to add business partners and future sponsorship opportunities for the franchise both in the U.K. and in Jacksonville.
One factoid, not to be overlooked, the loyal fans of the Buffalo Bills will lose a home date.
TID-BITS: Here’s a glimpse into some of the stuff I think about: (Special attention to sponsor USAA) – Why isn’t the Army v Navy college basketball game a big thing? All regular season college hoops games could be scheduled to end on Saturday, March 9, 2024 (and the equivalent each season) and then the Army vs Navy Game could be played each year as the final regular season game of the college season (Sunday, March 10, 2024). … Surely, this columnist is not the first to suggest something like this, correct? … Ponder this: Do DOGS know when it’s their birthday? … Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora named Chris Sale his Opening Day when the Sox play the Mariners in Seattle on March 28th, 2024. Oh Good, but talk to me on March 21st.
Why, on earth, would Curt Schilling make a brain cancer diagnosis of his former teammate Tim Wakefield public against the wishes of Wakefield and his family. Wakefield’s wife, Stacy, is also battling cancer. The couple has two children, Trevor (born in 2004) and Brianna (born in 2005).
Schilling – the bird brain that he is – made the private diagnosis of Wakefield public on a podcast. Wakefield and the Red Sox organization were forced to issue a statement after the podcast aired.
“We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission. Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease. Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”
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WNBA FINALS: The Las Vegas Aces have advanced to the WNBA Finals and they await the other semifinal winner – either the New York Liberty or the Connecticut Sun. NY’s Breanna Stewart scored 25 points as the Liberty beat Sun, 92-81, to take 2-1 lead in WNBA semifinal series. … The WNBA Finals will begin October 8 in Las Vegas. … The league might take a page of its own history and revert to a Memorial Day to Labor Day schedule. October 8 brings stiff comp from the NFL and the MLB Postseason.
THE NHL: Opening night for the NHL 2023-24 season is Tuesday, October 10th – adding to the crush on the WNBA Finals. On October 10th, the Vegas Knights will hoist their Stanley Cup banner to the rafters, the night before WNBA Finals Game 2.
THE NBA: League staff has already departed to prep for preseason games in the Middle East. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 will feature the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves playing two preseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The Games are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 5 and Saturday, Oct. 7.
TRICK OR TREAT: The next thing you know, Halloween candy will be on sale. Oh? That happened two months ago.