How Much of a Benefit is 3 Pts Up at the Ryder Cup?
Usually, when it comes to golf’s Ryder Cup, the America team isn’t exactly leading the field, and yet, somehow, this year, it seems as though the players are coming out ahead of the game:
(source) The United States grabbed a 5 1/2 - 2 1/2 lead over Europe after Friday’s two sessions at Valhalla, marking the first time it held the day-one advantage since 1995.
In afternoon fourballs, the U.S. took 2 1/2 points to win both sessions in a day for the first time since 1981.
After a 3-1 win in foursomes in the morning, the Americans’ first Friday morning victory since 1991, the U.S. finds itself in a commanding position after day one.
There are no givens in golf - ask anyone who plays the game let along any professional players. A lead on one hole isn’t enough to ensure that a particular golfer is going to stay ahead of the curve; in a competition, there’s nothing that ensures that a lead during one day of a tournament will last throughout the next day - let alone through the entire event.
The thing is, that’s what draws golf enthusiasts to the game - the knowledge that anything could happen, and the chance to talk with other golfers and fans of the game to speculate about what is going to happen next.
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