Loving the Ryder Cup / Paul Krishnamurty / 04 August 2008 / Leave a comment

Fond memories of Oakland Hills may help Europeans beat their USPGA block, says Paul Krishnamurty.

After so many disappointments in Majors this century, the recent Open championship represented something of a breakthrough for European golf. Not only did Padraig Harrington cement his place in history by joining the exclusive club of dual Major winners, but personal bests for Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson ensured Europeans filled the top three places - the first time that's happened in the modern era.

Still, while we'd also endured a miserable run over the years at Birkdale, everyone would have agreed beforehand that the Open represents our best chance. Next week's USPGA Championship is a different story altogether. Only six non-Americans have ever won the Wanamaker Trophy, and none were European.

Of the several explanations offered for this repeated failure, two seem justified. Firstly, there are fewer non-American players in this Major than the others because a couple of dozen places are reserved for US club professionals. Until quite recently our representation barely reached double figures. Secondly, because the event is always played in mid-August, usually amidst extreme temparatures, there is a suggestion that the home players handle the conditions better.

Nevertheless, considering we've regularly had world-class players over the past thirty years and that most now spend a sizeable proportion of their season in the States, our record is indefensible. One has to wonder whether some players let the tournament's reputation get inside their head and are therefore behind on the first tee. However, with Birkdale a cause for great optimism, there is one very significant reason to think we'll see some improvement this time - the venue.

Oakland Hills is one of the most famous American venues, host to six US Opens and two USPGAs. Interestingly, the two USPGAs were among the few years when a non-American won the title. More importantly this is a venue the Europeans know well and one about which they share the fondest memories, as the scene of their historic, record-breaking 2004 Ryder Cup victory.

Everyone played their part that week, with leading points scorers Sergio Garcia and Lee Westwood the stars of the show. Along with Harrington, they represent the strongest Euro hopes now. Particularly Garcia, who is alone amongst his Ryder Cup team-mates in owning a presentable USPGA record. It was this Major where he burst so spectacularly on the scene as a teenager back in 1999 when giving Tiger Woods an almighty scare at Medinah. He's added a couple of top-10s since, including 3rd behind Woods again at Medinah two years ago.

Sergio's reputation took a knock when disappointing as Open favourite, and is now available at [20.0], nearly twice his odds for Birkdale. He didn't play badly, hanging around on the fringes of contention for a long way, but lost his rag when things went against him on Sunday. A characteristic and frustrating flaw, no doubt, but also one that is factored into the odds. Garcia will surely win a Major sooner or later and with Woods sidelined, it could well be at Oakland Hills.

Westwood also disappointed at Birkdale, but demands respect after nearly winning the US Open in June. His odds of [48.0], massive on the basis of that performance, are the consequence of a poor tournament record. Lee has yet to make a top-10 in the USPGA from eleven tries, though at least we know from that Ryder Cup performance that he has the game for Oakland Hills. And whereas the heat got the better of him on occasion earlier in his career, he's never been fitter than now.

Harrington's record is even worse, with 17th place at Hazeltine back in 2002 the only time he's made the top-20 in this event. Due to his Open heroics, Ireland's finest currently sits as clear second favourite and if he were to contend at Firestone this week those odds could well tumble further. However, while it would be hard not to smile were Pod to win back-to-back Majors, I'm a layer.

Besides Garcia, the only other Europeans to make the frame in recent years were Luke Donald and Thomas Bjorn, both of whom will be absent from Oakland Hills. If anybody else is going to break the jinx, they're going to have to improve their PGA record drastically. I could imagine Paul Casey or Robert Karlsson, available at [90.0] and [75.0] respectively, going well next week, but can't get excited after seeing that the best finish either has registered from twelve attempts between them is a mere 29th place.

After their Open heroics, Poulter and Stenson may be worth another look as they seek to show that Birkdale was no fluke and that they can regularly contend in the biggest events. [60.0] chance Poulter has performed respectably in the last two USPGAs, finishing 9th and 23rd, while Stenson made the top-15 in 2006. The Swedish star, trading at [50.0], has long been tipped to make a big impression on the world stage and crucially, has already won an elite event across the Atlantic in the form of the WGC Matchplay.

Tags: Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Luke Donald, Oakland Hills, Padraig Harrington, Paul Casey, Robert Karlsson, Sergio Garcia, Thomas Bjorn, Tiger Woods, USPGA