The 39th edition of the Ryder Cup begins on Friday in Medinah, Illinois. The titans of Europe face off against the behemoths on the United States in the biennial competition that separates Golf from nearly every other sport. In a game which is more associated with quiet strolls across the British countryside, the fervour that surrounds a Ryder Cup is something special. For one weekend, a small dimpled ball will dominate the back pages. Uncharacteristic feelings of nationalistic pride will consume golf fans as some of the best players in the world face each other. While the United States always get together to support their team, even during a presidential election, golf will be unique in uniting Europe together. This could be one of the most even Ryder Cups in history and it would be no surprise if the competition went to the final green. More people may tune in for the World Cup or an Ashes contest, but the Ryder Cup has so many parts, so many storylines, that it is truly the best competition in the world.
1. Two continents collide
Sure, other sports have all-star teams and World XIs, but in no other sport do two continents go toe to toe with such intense rivalry. Since 1979, when the Great Britain and Ireland team became the European team, players from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden have played under the blue flag with the yellow stars, and nowhere else is this mix of nationalities fighting under one banner so apparent. Golf is normally a sport of individuals. The course itself is the opponent. There are few match play events, where players come up directly against each other, playing each other of 18 holes, and the prestige of the World Matchplay championship or the Omega Mission Hills Cup, the World Cup of Golf pales into insignificance compared to the Ryder Cup. While players are no doubt honoured to represent their country, and golf has Ryder Cup-lite events like the Walker Cup (amateurs only), the Presidents Cup (USA vs Rest of the World, not including Europeans) and Solheim Cup (Womens Ryder Cup equivalent), they are outshone by the main event. In fact, success in the Walker Cup, the World Cup of Golf and the World Matchplay Championship is seen as a sign that a player would make a good Ryder Cup pick.