Time to change the Ryder Cup

I fully recognize and understand the tradition that has evolved out of the Ryder Cup becoming a main sporting event over the past decade or so. For the longest time it was more an exhibition match... the American PGA tour against the British PGA Tour. Then later against the European Tour.

And it should have stayed that way. Let's be real, it isn't near that way anymore. Yes, European players make up one side of the team, but honestly those guys play the PGA tour the vast majority of time. In fact, some have homes in the US, many played on US college teams, and many have American wives. Sure, they play a couple of European events, but let's admit, they are not by definition European Tour players. I think even Samuel Ryder would admit the event has changed out of the original intent.

The other thing, the format is out of whack. The alternating shot format is more a Scottish thing than international to the game. How many American golfers frequent a golf course and play alternating shot? But in Scotland it is normal. Collectively, most Americans will tell you they hate to play this format, instead they would say Scramble is more in keeping with the game. Each player is hitting the next shot.

Another aspect is that the Ryder Cup is a difficult event to attend. Basically, the matches are encompassed in just a few holes instead of the entire course being occupied at one time. People I know who have attended complain about not seeing much of the match; following a group is sometimes 5 or 6 persons deep in the crowd. It is good for TV, but not if you want to attend.

Here is what I would change. Anyone that plays on the European side has to play at least 9 tournaments in Europe per year and make the cut. Instead of 12 players per team, increase the team size to 20... and everyone plays in every match. No substituting or sitting out, if someone is injured or sick, then one of the team co-captains steps in to play.

I would change the matches to be this way: Match 1 - individual one on one match play. Match 2 - Two player team (their total 18 hole score against the other team). Match 3 - Two player team scramble match play. Match 4 - Two player team best ball match play. Match 5 - Two player team alternating shot match play (okay, I will let this in though I hate it). Match 6 - individual one on one match play. Stretch it out over four days, not three.

I would also give out prize money for each individual match, winner only gets the prize (and the caddy gets a cut), loser zip. Don't go overboard with this, just enough to make it interesting and motivating for the players who normally play under this situation.

Then, let's see who has the better team. Plus, attending would be a blast rather than an inconvenience. Otherwise, golfing fans are eventually going to stop caring about this event because it isn't truly a US vs Europe event played for National pride. It just isn't and will eventually die out because of that and its lame format. I watched day one of the last match and then opted out, and I don't think I was the only one.