U.S. needs to mouth off a little, let fans vote on Ryder Cup singles matches and change the format

I came to a few conclusions after watching the Ryder Cup this weekend and the subsequent fallout after Europe’s dominating 18.5-9.5 victory.

Americans must engage in pyschological warfare: Since when did America, home of unilaterally invading countries and the 24 oz. Porterhouse steak get so dang polite? Sergio Garcia can’t wait for a shot at Woods, Paul Casey “hates Americans”, Paul McGinley even said after the match: “There’s one reason, and one reason only why we won. We had more talent.”

McGinley went 0-1-2 this weekend. That’d be like France saying “we had the better army” after WWII. Guys who aren’t even winning matches are so confident they’re taking digs at the U.S. A golfer from America needs to go “Rasheed Wallace” and start trash-talking a little. Mickelson needs to stop the sheepish interviews and say something with some edge. I know golf is a gentlemen’s game, but the Euros are so cocky at the moment they need to be checked. What’s the worst that could happen, the U.S. gets dominated again? I’d rather lose with attitude than with my tail between my legs, again.

Meaningful Sunday matchups needed: In our current American Idol culture where the public can seemingly vote on everything from minor league batting lineups to which pop singer will be shoved down our throats for three months, I would like to institute a fan vote for Ryder Cup singles matches. What is Tiger doing not playing Sergio mono e mono? Phil and Monty should duke it out in the Battle of Lumpy Chokers (an eleven wins 18, by the way).

We should also be allowed to vote one golfer on each side into the competition who then play each other - thus spawning a Michelle Wie vs. Jean Van de Velde showdown.

No, the fan vote will never happen. But the system the captains currently use is anti-climactic. Sergio wanted a shot at Woods - everyone would have watched it. Instead we were treated to Woods vs. Some Other Guy, and Sergio went 4-1 losing to Stewart Cink, not Woods in singles. Who cares about the best matchup for your team. Put your best vs. the other team’s best. Seed them appropriately with no sandbagging allowed.

Let the home team choose the formats: My sources in Europe tell me that alternate shot and best ball are traditions played in Europe frequently. Fine, let that be the competition when the Ryder Cup is hosted in Europe. When it’s in the U.S., let the U.S. pick the format, complete with Skins game, long drive contests (Bubba Watson available?) and the famous “must consume one beer per hole” game. I would predict an American landslide.

Then and only then will I say the Euros have the better golfers.