Lessons from '93 🏆

Welcome to Ryder Cup week! How we feeling?

I’ve only been at this golf writing gig for a few weeks now, but I’m already jealous of those covering the event from the ground in Rome. Maybe in 2025 I’ll be writing Quick Nine from Bethpage. 🤞

First though, we’ll have to grow the newsletter. And to kick things off, I’ve started a referral program that you can check out here:

How it’ll work: Over the next week, for every person you help sign up to Quick Nine via your unique link, you’ll get that many shots at winning $120 towards your next round of golf.

• So, for instance, if 10 people sign up through your link, your name will go into “the hat” 10 times.

• Next Monday, I’ll randomly select one winner.

How can you help spread the word? Think, social media posts, text threads with golf friends, and Slack channels at work.

Why $120? I want to make sure you treat yourself to play a nice course and for some reason, $120 seems like a nice course price.

Thanks so much for the help. It’s truly means a lot. 🙏

Now, let’s travel back in time to 1993…

What the ‘93 Ryder Cup could mean for Rome

The US hasn’t won a Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993. The 30 year drought is something you’ll hear about over and over again this weekend.

But what actually happened three decades ago at The Belfry golf course in England? Recently, I watched this grainy NBC Sports recap to find out.

Here were my top takeaways:

Drivable par 4’s are awesome. Even with some guys using what appears to be persimmon, players were able to hit the 267 yard par 4 10th at The Belfry with driver, which created awesome match play decisions and drama.

On Saturday afternoon, for instance, Fred Couples and Paul Azinger were 3-down to Ian Woosnam and Peter Baker heading into the 10th. Needing to make something happen, Couples and Azinger both went for the green and both hit it into the water, further compounding their problems.

Lucky for us, this year’s venue, Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, has several drivable par 4’s — holes 5, 11, and 16. The 303 yard 16th should be especially exciting down the stretch.

Watch out for whether the Europeans or Americans are able to capitalize more often on the drivable par 4’s this week. Success on these holes could play a major role in deciding the eventual winner.

Tom Watson was the captain! Yes, the same man ridiculed for his 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy was the last person to lead the US to victory in Europe.

There were some interesting moments for Watson at The Belfry, like apparently telling Chip Beck and Ryder Cup rookie John Cook on the range Saturday afternoon that the US needed their point — which they delivered.

He also rallied the team around Lanny Wadkins’ decision to sit out Sunday (more on that later) and passionately delivered President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” quote during his victory speech.

Perhaps, simpler times in 1993! And, for this year’s US captain Zach Johnson, perhaps it offers some relief knowing that Ryder Cup teams can win despite their leader.

The Raymond Floyd factor. Fifty-one-year old (!!) Raymond Floyd was playing in his eighth Ryder Cup at The Belfry and went an impressive 3-1-0.

This year, Ryder Cup rookie Brian Harmon is the oldest on the team at 36, while Rickie Fowler and Jordan Speith have the most Ryder Cup experience (Rome will be their 5th).

Perhaps, it’s these “old guys” who will need to deliver for the US to win in Rome.

Something crazy may need to happen. On the final day back in ‘93, when all 12 players on both sides are supposed to play, Europe’s Sam Torrance had to sit out due to… an infected toe.

Luckily, we never see footage of the toe, but we are reminded of the rare Ryder Cup “envelope rule.” Basically, if someone can’t play in Sunday singles, the captain of the opposing team gets to choose who they’ll sit and the match is halved.

Veteran Lanny Wadkins volunteered to watch from the sidelines on Sunday, which Watson apparently used to motivate the US side.

“I told my team, when you’re out there having a little problem… just think of Lanny Wadkins and what type of fighter he is and that’ll help you get through that tough spot,” Watson said.

After Davis Love III won his match on Sunday, he told reporters: “I thought about Lanny all day, trying to hang in there for him.”

Never do we wish injury on the opposing side. But, if the US is to finally again win in Europe, it might take something outlandish (like an infected toe or, a carbo-load gone wrong 🍝) to get them over the hump.

In the end, the US defeated Europe 15-13 back in ‘93.

• Since then, the Europeans have won nine Ryder Cups and the US has won four — all of which, of course, have been at home.

Of note: It is a shame that the weather is supposed to be so warm this week in Rome.

• Those sweaters the US team wore on Sunday back in ‘93 were 🔥.

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What else I’m reading

🇪🇺 Spaniard Carlota Ciganda’s win over Nelly Korda on Sunday helped the European’s retain the Solheim Cup. (The Fried Egg)

• The event’s first ever 14-14 finish raised the question of whether ties should exist in the Solheim and Ryder Cups. (Golf Magazine)

🏃‍♂️ This year’s Ryder Cup will kick off Friday morning with foursomes (alternate shot) instead of its traditional opening format of four-ball (better ball).

• Captain Luke Donald said Monday that’s because Team Europe is “statistically” better in foursomes. And, “why not get off to a fast start?” (Ryder Cup)

☎️ Bryson DeChambeau, fresh off his LIV Chicago win on Sunday, said he never got a call from captain Zach Johnson about not making the team.

• Johnson said that’s because Bryson wasn’t near the top of the US Ryder Cup points list. (Golf Digest)

And finally…

The US team is on its way to Rome, and here’s our most recent look at Sam Burns.

That’s all for today! Thanks so much for reading y’all and I’ll see you back here later this week for more Ryder Cup coverage. Until then! - Nick B. 🇺🇸