Rough Ryder Cup

U.S. Golf took it on the chin again last week at the Ryder Cup. Not surprised. Unlike past years, this U.S. team wasn't as good as the Euro team. It didn't have the depth. It was also the first time that the Europeans were, on average, higher in the world rankings than the U.S.

Something more than rankings is going on with the Americans, however. They are always criticized about being too individualistic, not by nature team players. So whoever their coach is, Tom Lehman this time, always trys to do things to "bond" them together.

This year it was sing alongs. In the past it's been table tennis, dining together, and other bonding techniques. As far as I know, no coach has yet to have them close their eyes and have them fall in a circle of other players who catch them. It can't be far away, though.

The problem isn't bonding. The problem is a common one in sports, whether golf, football, baseball or basketball. It is called choking.

It was visible to anyone who watched the matches that the Euros were loose and having fun. The Americans were tight and grim, waiting for the worst to happen. And it did. They missed short putts and muffed shots that they regularly make on tour.

The more you lose in sport the harder it is to win. The U.S. has now been so unsuccessful in so many recent Ryder Cups that they expect to lose. They expect the Euros to make lucky shots. And everytime they miss one it makes the burden of playing the next shot that much heavier.

Ryder Cup psychology for the Americans is all wrong. It's hard for losers to turn things around in sports. Sports sages like to say that winning breeds winning. The obverse is also true. Losing breeds losing.

The Americans won't win again until they loosen up and play like it's a game again.