MEDINAH, Ill. \u2014 Now do it for real.<\/p>\n
The Presidents Cup is nice and all, and extending what was already a lopsided winning streak is always fun. But the Presidents Cup isn\u2019t the Ryder Cup, and it never will be. If U.S. golfers, and their captains, want to get people off their backs, they need to do this again next year in Europe.<\/p>\n
The Americans won The Presidents Cup for the 11th consecutive time on Sunday, dominating the international team in singles to win 17-13 at Medinah Country Club in the Chicago suburbs. Since the biennial match play tournament began in 1994, the U.S. team has won it all but two times.<\/p>\n
This was not a win so much as it was an escape, however.<\/p>\n
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United States captain Brandt Snedeker celebrates with his team after defeating the International Team during the final round of the Presidents Cup on Sunday in Medinah, Ill.<\/p>\n
Jerod Ringwald, Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Americans have big edge on talent<\/p>\n
The Americans brought a team that had eight players in the top 11 of the most recent Official World Golf Ranking, including No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The best international player, Si Woo Kim, is ranked No. 14, with Ryan Fox (23) the only other one in the top 25.<\/p>\n
The lowest-ranked American, meanwhile, is Jackson Koivun, at No. 57 \u2014 and that\u2019s only because he just turned pro in June. The lowest-ranked international player is Christiaan Bezuidenhout, at No. 102 in the world.<\/p>\n
So, no, not really a fair fight.<\/p>\n
Yet the Americans came into the last day of the four-day event trailing by three points, needing to win eight of the 12 singles matches to retain the Presidents Cup. While they deserve credit for doing it, it\u2019s also what should be expected of a team with their caliber of talent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a really great first three days, and today just didn\u2019t go our way,\u201d international captain Geoff Ogilvy said. \u201cIt\u2019s a hard thing to do, to beat the U.S. team in singles in the U.S. But we gave it a good crack.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next year it won\u2019t be so easy for the Americans.<\/p>\n
The Ryder Cup will be played in Ireland, which means there will be no boost from an adoring home crowd. The opponents will be more formidable, with nine European players currently in the world top 20, including No. 2 Rory McIlroy. Europe\u2019s captain will again be Luke Donald, who has led his side to victory at the last two Ryder Cups.<\/p>\n
And, for whatever reason, the Europeans just do team play better.<\/p>\n
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The United States’ Scottie Scheffler plays his shot from the 16th tee during the final round of the Presidents Cup on Sunday in Medinah, Ill.<\/p>\n
Jerod Ringwald, Imagn Images<\/p>\n
No Ryder Cup win in Europe since 1993<\/p>\n
Europe has won 12 of the last 15 Ryder Cups, often by healthy margins. Of the three events the Americans did win during this stretch, all were in the United States. Not since 1993 has the United States won a Ryder Cup in Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m tired of hearing how these guys aren’t close. I’m tired of hearing how we can’t play team golf. Guys just proved it right then and there,\u201d Brandt Snedeker, the U.S. captain at this Presidents Cup, said.<\/p>\n
Until they do it in the Ryder Cup, however, it won\u2019t matter.<\/p>\n
Most American sports fans, whether they are golf fans or not, are familiar with the Ryder Cup. First played in 1927, most of golf’s greatest names have participated in it and it’s featured some of golf’s most epic battles. The Spanish Armada, Brookline, Medinah.<\/p>\n
The Presidents Cup just doesn’t have the same history. Or gravitas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not sure,\u201d Justin Thomas said when asked if there\u2019s anything the U.S. team can take from The Presidents Cup that can help them next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that we have a lot of faith in ourselves and each other,\u201d Thomas added, \u201cand we believe we can do a lot of things, a lot of good things, especially out there in these team events. We get excited to play in them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The United States’ Jackson Koivun plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of the Presidents Cup on Sunday in Medinah, Ill.<\/p>\n
Jerod Ringwald, Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Young Americans\u00a0shine at Medinah<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most promising sign for the Americans\u2019 future was the play of the rookies at Medinah. Chris Gotterup tied Sheffler and Cameron Young for most points among the Americans, with three. Jacob Bridgeman delivered the winning point Sunday. Koivun was the only American to go unbeaten over the four days, making Snedeker\u2019s once-controversial pick look inspired.<\/p>\n
If they can keep playing at the level they\u2019re at, they will be mainstays of U.S. teams for years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur three rookies, they balled out this week. I’m really proud of them. I’m really happy for them,\u201d said Jim Furyk, the Ryder Cup captain next year who was one of Snedeker\u2019s assistants this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than anything, I just want these 12 guys down here to really enjoy themselves and enjoy what they accomplished together because it was special today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Special, sure. But not spectacular. A win of that magnitude can only come at the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n
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