By Fred Altvater
On the way to the podium to retain the Ryder Cup, Team USA ran into a slight problem.
The European Team, captained by, “The Smartest Man in Golf,” Thomas Bjorn, said, Not so fast my friends.
Yes, it was all fun and games in the city of lights. Dinner at Versailles all dressed up and looking fine, a few quotes for the media, pictures galore and plenty of bubbly, but when it came time to play a little golf, the guys from the United States, the strongest team ever assembled for a Ryder Cup, forgot how to play the game. 
The fairways were to narrow, the rough too deep, the greens too slow, and I’m not sure, but it looked like the cups moved every time an American struck a putt. I’m calling for a Federal investigation, Get Keith Pelley before Congress and explain this madness.
Plus, evidently it was Capt Jim Furyk’s fault that the players played like crap! They didn’t like who they were paired with. Patrick Reed, felt rejected and was miffed that he didn’t get to play with Jordan Spieth.
Tiger Woods, who was completely shut out 0-4, thought he should have won more, must have been his partner, Captain America was so upset, he couldn’t hit a wedge shot or make a putt.
I have never, in my life, seen so many missed 3-foot putts.
I had boldly predicted, on Back 9 Report, the Europeans didn’t have a chance and this would be a huge victory for the American Team. Certainly the 25 year curse of losing in Europe would come to a sudden and conclusive end.
Oh, but no!
At the outset, it appeared Captain Bjorn’s picks, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson and Ian Poulter, looked like he was trying to give the Ryder Cup to the American Team.
Sergio quit playing last year, after he got his Green Jacket, Henrik has been injured for most of 2018, and Paul Casey, well he is Paul Casey. Poulter was the only choice that seemed to make sense.
But, those four alone contributed 9 1/2 points to the European’s dominate win in Paris
The Europeans, as always, bore the brunt of the lack of publicity and respect, using it as motivation. No one gave them a chance, but they banded together as a team, Always a Team.
Never once was, “I should have,” or “he could have,” was uttered by any European Team member. NO, it was always, “The team played great, we all worked together.”
There really must be something to the TEAM concept that the Europeans speak of. Wonder why the U.S. Task Force hasn’t made a plan for that.
Oh well, the Cup will stay in Europe for a couple of years and we get to do this whole thing over again in 2020 at Whistling Straits. Plus, we will get the joy of American Golfing Great, Phil Mickelson as Captain, who will turn the ship around and make everyone LOVE each other.
Everyone hold hands and sing, “Kumbaya”
The U.S. Team has now lost seven of the last nine Ryder Cups and are at 27 years and counting with ZERO wins in Europe. Put that in your Task Force and Smoke it.
Congrats to the Euros, they played great.
