Ryder Cup Karma

You reep what you sew. What goes around, comes around.

It's easy now to say I saw it coming, especially on Monday morning. But there was something just not right as the American team built their lead Friday and Saturday at Medinah. It was almost as if they were making putts just so they could lead a chorus of cheers, not to lead the Ryder Cup. George Willis, in this mornings New York Post, said "they played to the crowd instead of playing golf." If I didn't see it coming, I sure have seen it before. How many times have we all seen a football or basketball team jump out to a big lead and start playing to the crowd, only to have the lead vanish in the fourth quarter.

I guess I'm not speaking of everyone. But players like Webb Simpson, Keegan Bradley and Bubba Watson were definitely playing to the crowd. Take Bubba Watson, the cheering routine on Friday on number one tee was kinda cool, but on Sunday he should have been all business. Instead he fell to Luke Donald 2&1. Simpson was handled by Poulter and McIlroy took care of Bradley without a warmup.

Jeez, who won matches Sunday? Johnson & Johnson and Duffner. Which three players  appeared the least caught up in the cheering? Johnson & Johnson and Duffner.

I think there is a reason you don't celebrate too soon. A reason no one mentions the no hitter till its over. The Americans made everything Friday and Saturday. The Euros made nothing. Anyone who has ever played golf knows you never own it. You get hot, you ride it, knowing it may end at anytime. Look, Mickelson hit a great chip on 17, then Justin Rose knocked his long putt in. Bad luck for Phil. But Furyk and Stricker made a mess of 17 and 18. Karma? I just think Team USA could have, should have, been a little more humble in the early rounds. Respect the game and your opponent. By the way, whose caddie was waving the flag around on the green? Real classy.