Is the Ryder Cup the biggest event in golf?

[Superbrit]

> @NJpatbee said:

> My opinion:

> 1 - Masters

> 2 - US Open

> 3 - British Open

> 4 - PGA

> 5 - The Players

> 6 - Memorial

> 7 - Tour Championship

> 8 - Arnold Palmer Invitational

> 9 - Ryder Cup

> .

> .

> 40+ - Presidents Cup

 

Im presuming these are in the order of what you like to watch, not what you think are the biggest tournaments?

[Jc0]

Masters is the biggest overall (over 10 million tv viewers on average, no other major above 10, Ryder cup around 4). The Ryder Cup is the most passionate and the event it self (on location) is probably bigger than any other event.

[nichho]

> @rule_6 said:

> > @Gmack1973 said:

> > > @Titleist99 said:

> > > > @Gmack1973 said:

> > > > > @NoodleSalad said:

> > > > > It's only a "religion" in Europe because without it, their tour goes belly up.

> > >

> > > > What a lot of absolute rubbish. A religion? Hahaha get a grip. I could say the USA dont rate it because they regularly take a spanking in it.....but i wont.

> > >

> > > Shame on you.....

> > > If you are going to tell the story of the Ryder Cup, tell the whole story....Contrary to popular belief the Ryder Cup didn't start in 2010. It started in 1927 and the

> > > record is 26US and 16EUR (approx.). The US has won seven in a row twice. Jack Nicklaus wanted to bring all of Europe into the mix and since then Europe has won eleven of twenty.

> > > Some of the numbers might not be accurate but you get the idea.

> >

> > Tell the whole story? What relevance does 80 or 90 years ago have to today. The sad fact for the US is that in recent history its been dominated by Europe. In the last 25 years europe are 11.5-5.5 up. In fact there was a lot of chat here after Paris, that Canada and Mexico should be added to the USA in an attempt to try and even it up a bit.

>

>

> well Id say long about 80 years ago had the good ole US of A not intervened in a worldly event, you'd be speaking the same language as Martin Kaymer.......history matters, just sayin.

>

 

And if we hadn't intervened a couple of hundred years ago you would be French.

[LICC]

> @NJpatbee said:

> My opinion:

> 1 - Masters

> 2 - US Open

> 3 - British Open

> 4 - PGA

> 5 - The Players

> 6 - Memorial

> 7 - Tour Championship

> 8 - Arnold Palmer Invitational

> 9 - Ryder Cup

> .

> .

> 40+ - Presidents Cup

 

API over the Ryder Cup. Ok then ...

[LeoLeo99]

I like the Ryder Cup a lot. Always drama. Often the drama over shadows the golf itself. I like that once every other year. Makes the players more human and less automatons. The players care about the Ryder Cup so that makes it exciting. The biased crowds, the lack of decorum all make it special.

[NJpatbee]

> @LICC said:

> > @NJpatbee said:

> > My opinion:

> > 1 - Masters

> > 2 - US Open

> > 3 - British Open

> > 4 - PGA

> > 5 - The Players

> > 6 - Memorial

> > 7 - Tour Championship

> > 8 - Arnold Palmer Invitational

> > 9 - Ryder Cup

> > .

> > .

> > 40+ - Presidents Cup

>

> API over the Ryder Cup. Ok then ...

 

The question was whether the Ryder Cup was my most cherished tournament. I just listed the tournaments that are most important to me. And yes, I enjoy watching the API a bit more than the Ryder Cup and clearly do not get excited over the Presidents Cup.

[Bingo1976]

I would vote for the Ryder Cup as my favourite event - it's great to see most of the best players in the world going at it head to head in the original form of the sport.

 

So my list would be:

1. Ryder Cup

2. The Open

3. The Masters

4. US Open

5. Irish Open/Scottish Open depending on whetehr they are played on a links course

6. Players

7. Senior Open

8. Women's Britsh Open

9. Alfred Dunhill

10. PGA

 

The Prseident's Cup doesn;t even register

 

 

 

 

 

[Vardon Grip]

1) Danny Thomas Memphis Classic

2) Greater Milwaukee Open

3) Rio Grande Valley Open

-

-

-

-

-

-

- everything else.

[ColinKelvin]

It's hard to classify the Ryder Cup against the individual majors - they are very different events. In terms of excitement and anticipation alone, the RC might be top for me - as it's every two years, not annual, and most editions are really exciting (while sometimes someone will run away with a major). Not enough matchplay is played these days, which also sets it apart. So...

 

Ryder Cup (standing alone as a golf spectacle), then

 

1. The Open (always on a true links course, the oldest, and therefore the most prestigious)

2. The Masters (same course every year, tends to be dramatic and memorable)

3. The US Open (perhaps the most brutal test, other than an Open at Carnoustie or St George's in bad weather - but the USGA has botched the set-up a few times lately)

 

then a huge gap to....

...

...

4. = The Players, the BMW PGA and the USPGA - way, way behind the above events. I'd almost put the Players ahead due to being on the same course, which gives it more of an identity. Is the USPGA now glory's second shot? What makes it so special other than being open to club pros? The PGA on the European tour is underrated, and has the same-course continuity at Wentworth every year.

[GolfChannel]

> @mlecs03 said:

> I would put it in this order, personally:

>

> The Masters

> The US Open

> The Open Championship

> Ryder Cup/Presidents Cup

> PGA Championship

 

Ditto.

[cdnglf]

> @ColinKelvin said:

> It's hard to classify the Ryder Cup against the individual majors - they are very different events. In terms of excitement and anticipation alone, the RC might be top for me - as it's every two years, not annual, and most editions are really exciting (while sometimes someone will run away with a major). Not enough matchplay is played these days, which also sets it apart. So...

>

> Ryder Cup (standing alone as a golf spectacle), then

>

> 1. The Open (always on a true links course, the oldest, and therefore the most prestigious)

> 2. The Masters (same course every year, tends to be dramatic and memorable)

> 3. The US Open (perhaps the most brutal test, other than an Open at Carnoustie or St George's in bad weather - but the USGA has botched the set-up a few times lately)

>

> then a huge gap to....

> ...

> ...

> 4. = The Players, the BMW PGA and the USPGA - way, way behind the above events. I'd almost put the Players ahead due to being on the same course, which gives it more of an identity. Is the USPGA now glory's second shot? What makes it so special other than being open to club pros? The PGA on the European tour is underrated, and has the same-course continuity at Wentworth every year.

 

I get the argument that the Players and the PGA are very close, but the Euro PGA?

 

https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/facebook/000/004/293/YCNBS.jpg

 

[King_Slender]

It's the most consistently energetic, for sure and the event I look forward to the most - and delivers when it's not a blowout.

 

 

[OutBackHack]

> @cdnglf said:

> “the Pres Cup and Ryder Cup” ~= “the John Deere and the Masters”

 

You know what the John Deere and the Masters have in common? If you win either you get an invite to the Masters.

[OutBackHack]

... All you Americans that think the Ryder Cup isn't the biggest thing in golf.... Classic..... It would be fun to win one though.

[cdnglf]

> @OutBackHack said:

> > @cdnglf said:

> > “the Pres Cup and Ryder Cup” ~= “the John Deere and the Masters”

>

> You know what the John Deere and the Masters have in common? If you win either you get an invite to the Masters.

 

Win the latter, and you get a jacket. Win the former, and you get the matching hat

 

https://www.bigheadcaps.com/assets/images/blankcaps/meshcaps/998.jpg

 

[OrangeGravy]

> @lchang said:

> The Ryder Cup is so much more than an “all star game” or exhibition the way some people are describing it. So many pros talking about the crushing pressure they feel when they play: no one says that about the nba all star game. (I remember Graeme McDowell saying the RC’s pressure made him so nervous that it made Sunday at the USOpen at Pebble feel like an afternoon round with his Dad.)

>

> Read John Feinstein’s book (“the First Major”) about the RC. So many great stories in there. Makes you appreciate it more.

 

But it's not really. It would be much better if each player on the losing team had to cut a $100K check out of their own pocket to someone on the winning team. Really with golf, it's all about how the event plays out. Majors, RC, and regular events to a lesser degree can either be boring dogs or memorable events depending on how they play out. A runaway major sucks to watch. Just being a major can't save a tournament that doesn't deliver any suspense. The Masters and the British are atop my list because I enjoy the venues even if the play isn't all that exciting. Any other even has to bring some excitement or it's just another tournament to me. Even the US Open doesn't automatically "capture" me. Put another way, the Masters and the Open are the only events that don't have to earn my attention.

[ZAS]

no...

[Dave230]

The question is biggest and since I've watched golf it has always been major-like in terms of interest. I would say it's 3rd biggest behind the Masters and the Open. In US, it's probably 4th biggest after the US Open. If you ask the average person in Ireland what the PGA Championship is, they probably won't be too sure and won't know if it's a major or not, whereas most people would know what the Ryder Cup is.

[lchang]

> @OrangeGravy said:

> > @lchang said:

> > The Ryder Cup is so much more than an “all star game” or exhibition the way some people are describing it. So many pros talking about the crushing pressure they feel when they play: no one says that about the nba all star game. (I remember Graeme McDowell saying the RC’s pressure made him so nervous that it made Sunday at the USOpen at Pebble feel like an afternoon round with his Dad.)

> >

> > Read John Feinstein’s book (“the First Major”) about the RC. So many great stories in there. Makes you appreciate it more.

>

> But it's not really. It would be much better if each player on the losing team had to cut a $100K check out of their own pocket to someone on the winning team. Really with golf, it's all about how the event plays out. Majors, RC, and regular events to a lesser degree can either be boring dogs or memorable events depending on how they play out. A runaway major sucks to watch. Just being a major can't save a tournament that doesn't deliver any suspense. The Masters and the British are atop my list because I enjoy the venues even if the play isn't all that exciting. Any other even has to bring some excitement or it's just another tournament to me. Even the US Open doesn't automatically "capture" me. Put another way, the Masters and the Open are the only events that don't have to earn my attention.

 

I’m not arguing the RC is the “biggest” event in golf. Just that the intense and unique pressure the players feel is real and universal (even in the beginning when we don’t know if it’ll be a blowout or not). And makes for some wonderful stories. The way so many pro golfers describe Langer’s putt in 1991 as unmakeable or “I wouldn’t want anybody to have to make that putt” is fascinating. (Which is, of course, completely unlike the nba all star game.)

[bscinstnct]

 

> @Dave230 said:

> The question is biggest and since I've watched golf it has always been major-like in terms of interest. I would say it's 3rd biggest behind the Masters and the Open. In US, it's probably 4th biggest after the US Open. If you ask the average person in Ireland what the PGA Championship is, they probably won't be too sure and won't know if it's a major or not, whereas most people would know what the Ryder Cup is.

 

This sounds about right. Although if Rory or Shane were in the hunt at the PGA, a lot of Irish would be into it. Off topic but some in-laws from Ireland were visiting and they said they weren’t big Rory fans. They like Shane much better.

 

Not sure how many players would trade any of their majors for a RC. Maybe some Euros.

 

 

 

[Titleist99]

> @OutBackHack said:

> ... All you Americans that think the Ryder Cup isn't the biggest thing in golf.... Classic..... It would be fun to win one though.

 

IMO....It wasn't a big deal when the USA won twenty out of the first twenty-two Ryder Cups. It wasn't a big deal when Jack Nicklaus suggested that all of Europe be involved because the Ryder Cup wasn't competitive….the Ryder Cup is presently no big deal.....I currently could not tell you anyone's record in the event....I think the USA lead in the series of events but I'm not sure of that either. While it is a fun rah-rah event.....It is just a putting contest to me, where a couple players putts well above their normal capability...

 

[Hankshank]

I kind of get different results in my head each time this thread pop ups at the top.

 

Today;

 

Scandinavian Invitational because I can see it live, like every third year. This new Annika and Henrik format sounds hillarious but might be a success.

RC (Captain America, Rory, Azinger, Leonard, Kaymer, Sergio, Seve, IJP. I aint a fan of guys walking around stonefaceing)

Masters (Fix 17 and 18 and AN might become numero uno)

BO when played on Troon, Portrush or the like.

Players

Memorial

Omega in Crans-sur-sierre

US Open when played on something like Whistling straits. When at Merion its right up there with Masters.

PGA Champs ditto

Wentworth

The Mission Hill tournament this week. Wonderful course for TV golf. PGA National and Le Golf National pretty much Ditto same same. A Pity the latter two tournaments have got bad scheduling and funding now,

 

All the regular events.

 

Way down low:

US Open when played on something like Pinehurst

BO when played on Royal Liverpool or the like.

Generally, tournaments on wood courses with an endless row of long par fours all the same. Whithout possibilities of catastrophies boring.

 

 

 

[lefty1978]

No

[Fairway14]

For me the following are the "biggest events in golf" :

 

The Masters, PGA Championship, US Open and British Open are it; and no other event comes close.

 

I think the Ryder Cup and President's Cup are exhibitions without much substantive meaning and over hyped by the media.

[Ferguson]

> @OutBackHack said:

> ... All you Americans that think the Ryder Cup isn't the biggest thing in golf.... Classic..... It would be fun to win one though.

 

 

 

All you non-Americans think the Ryder Cup is the biggest thing in golf.....gobby.

 

 

[Forged4ever]

To participate in?

 

The Cup, no question!!

 

To win??

 

The Masters, no question!!

 

A lifetime dinner invite to dine with the Greatest ever to walk the fairways???

 

Count me in!!

 

Haha, could you see me and Fuzzy after a few pops???

 

We’d be the first Past Champions banned from the dinner??

 

God, I wish Sam were still around cuz I could get him on a high horse talkin about Pete and he didn’t even drink, haha

 

We’d all three get banned, lolol

 

Anyone can make the books for winning!!

 

But to have the jacket and a ban??

 

Go Stillers?

 

Stay well Gents?

RP

[driveandputtmachine]

MASTERS

THE OPEN

US OPEN

RYDER CUP

PGA

PLAYERS

Tour Champ (FEDEX Final)

WASTE MGMT OPEN

PRESIDENTS CUP

[jmiller3483]

I love watching nearly any golf tournament on TV, however, the Ryder Cup is by far my favorite. In fact, I already have the 2020 Ryder cup on the synchronized calendar my wife and I share so she knows not to bother me

[OutBackHack]

> @Ferguson said:

> > @OutBackHack said:

> > ... All you Americans that think the Ryder Cup isn't the biggest thing in golf.... Classic..... It would be fun to win one though.

>

>

>

> All you non-Americans think the Ryder Cup is the biggest thing in golf.....gobby.

>

>

 

I'm reeling in a big one.

[Ferguson]

> @OutBackHack said:

> > @Ferguson said:

> > > @OutBackHack said:

> > > ... All you Americans that think the Ryder Cup isn't the biggest thing in golf.... Classic..... It would be fun to win one though.

> >

> >

> >

> > All you non-Americans think the Ryder Cup is the biggest thing in golf.....gobby.

> >

> >

>

> I'm reeling in a big one.

 

 

 

Maybe it should be the Ryder Carp and have Jimmy Houston call the action?

(look at those Ryder Carp rings)