Forget the preening prima donnas on the football pitch. Ignore the mud-soaked brutes of rugby fields. If you want to see a real sporting extravaganza this Autumn, look no further than the Ryder Cup –the biennial battle between the US and Europe for golf’s ultimate spoils.
No longer is the Ryder Cup the friendly reunion of transatlantic buddies. It’s become one of the bloodiest events on the golfing calendar, a thrilling joyride conducted by the game’s biggest superstars. And to rejoice in its return, Financial Adviser has one hell of a prize to give away. We’ve teamed up with Old Mutual Wealth to launch our inaugural fantasy golf competition, and if you can select a dream team to trounce your peers, you and three friends will win an incredible round on the PGA Centenary course and an overnight stay at Gleneagles hotel.
In the first of our two-part series celebrating the Ryder Cup, we take a look at how the returning holders, Europe, are shaping up this year and their chances of retaining the little golden cup.
Get ready for the Mac attack
The aim of the game is simple. You’re endowed with a kitty of 100 stars to pick eight players from the US and European sides to build your fantasy team. The players that flourish and end victorious will be the ones that net you the most points. And history certainly favours the Old Continent, which holds nine wins to the US’ seven.
For this year’s tournaments, you’re spoilt for European talent as you’re placed into Captain Paul McGinley’s spikes. It’s a side that’s elbowed Lee Westwood into being just a wildcard pick. A side that boasts the winners of three out of the four Majors this year. And it’s a side that’s being spearheaded by the indomitable Rory McIlroy.
The young man from Holywood is in such searing form there are polar icecaps melting in his presence - and the reason why he’ll set you back the maximum 15 stars in our fantasy tournament. 2014 has been the year he stakes his claim as the new Tiger Woods, winning The Open, the WGC Invitational and the US PGA Champion on the bounce. And in what style - McIlroy’s resurgence hasn’t been one of cagey matchplay. He’s bullied his peers into submission with aggression and fervour, exactly the attributes McGinley will require to keep the Ryder Cup at home for a third successive time.
Americans may search for solace in that Rory’s previous two Ryder Cup appearances haven’t exactly set the world on fire - his ledger sits at four wins, three losses and two halves. But this is now the four-time major winning Rory McIlroy - and he’s not to be messed with.
Boys in-form
While Rory will certainly be the flagship player, he’s not the only European looking set to dazzle at the PGA Centenary course in two weeks’ time. McGinley can count on world number three Henrik Stenson (14.5 stars) to return to the fold this year, after he missed the cut in 2012. Stenson has posted top-five finishes in two majors this year, and leads the European rankings the year prior. Much like McIlroy, his Ryder Cup record doesn’t sparkle, but the pinpoint accuracy of his driving will be a valuable asset to the strong European side.
