Home advantage has proved decisive throughout the last five Ryder Cup competitions, with the final scores suggesting one-sided contests over the past decade.
Going back to the Paul McGinley-led Gleneagles event in 2014, there were five points between the teams, six in Minnesota as Europe crumbled under Darren Clarke's crusade, and seven when Thomas Bjorn’s selection regained the trophy at Le Golf National in Paris.
There was a whopping ten points between the sides when Padraig Harrington was handed the armband at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin at the Covid-delayed 2021 event, while the gap was halved during the last outing at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Italy two years ago.
So it's surely just a case of the home side turning up to continue the trend and secure the victory at Bethpage Black in New York this weekend?
World rankings would suggest that to be the case, with eight of the top-11 ranked players on Team USA, while all 12 are currently rated higher that Shane Lowry who sits in 24th place on the current standings.
And Lowry is eighth best of the Europeans with four coming behind him from Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick at 25 and 29 respectively, while you have to push past the top 50 to find Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard at 58 and even further to discover former world number one Jon Rahm at 73rd – LIV obviously being a major factor there.
In truth, for Europe, there has not been a lot to shout about throughout the recent US-hosted competitions, going back to the memorable duel between Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed at Hazeltine in 2016, while the arrival of Scottie Scheffler and the youthful selection on the scene in 2021 emphasised how comfortable the PGA Tour players are when playing on PGA Tour golf courses.
Europe really failed to fire under Harrington’s command, with star players McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood underperforming, while there was a changing of the guard, as stalwarts Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, and Ian Poulter represented Europe for what looks like the final time. By the time Mr Ryder Cup, Poulter, managed to bow out on a winning note, beating Tony Finau 3&2, the contest was long decided.
For true inspiration, Europe must cast their minds back to the most memorable of Ryder Cups, which took place in Illinois 13 years ago.
The Miracle of Medinah is perhaps the most talked about Ryder Cup in history and rightly so, as Europe came storming back on Sunday to flip a 10-6 USA advantage into a 14.5 to 13.5 victory.
It was the last time that either side won away from home, and no doubt, the locker room will be filled with stories and reminders of that incredible weekend when Jose Maria Olazabal summoned the spirit of Seve to inspire his side back from the brink.
Justin Rose and McIlroy are the two surviving playing members of that team, while current captain Luke Donald also played his part in the dramatic event. Olazabal is again involved as one of this year’s vice-captains, alongside major winner Francesco Molinari, who also played in the Medinah.
The team are bringing real continuity into this year's event with Donald remaining in charge, while the entire selection is almost identical from the 2023 success, with the only change seeing Rasmus Hojgaard coming in to replace his identical twin Nicolai.
Europe are desperate to return to the winner’s circle Stateside, not only to right the wrongs of the last two outings, but also to make a statement in a land that has become increasing hostile to those from overseas in recent times.
And we’re not even talking about Trump’s American, for the Ryder Cup has somehow managed to stir up all sorts of emotions since the 1990s when Team USA’s Corey Pavin "sported" a Desert Storm baseball cap as a show of support to the troops in Iraq at the time.
That was the Kiawah Island Ryder Cup of 1991, which has since been rebranded The War on the Shore, scene of the famous Seve/Olazabal battle with Paul Azinger and Chip Beck, complete with ball-switching controversy, helping inspire the Spanish duo to a 2&1 victory.
Then came another Ryder Cup in 1999, which was remembered for all the wrong reasons.
The Battle of Brookline is USA’s version of the Miracle at Medinah, but played in much more hostile atmosphere, where the entire American entourage celebrated across the green before Olazabal had a chance to putt on the 17th.
The game does also always have an opportunity to show its classy side, and it came via the late, great Payne Stewart who conceded his match to Colin Montgomerie on the 18th green following hours of abuse for the Scot throughout his round – the result of the competition was already decided at that stage, however.
Not so classy were the reports afterwards that someone spat at Mark James’ wife, and following the tournament several USA players apologised for their actions.
Tempers have generally been kept outside the ropes in recent editions, however, McIlroy’s tete-a-tete with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie, Joe LaCava, is also something that will make an appearance or two ahead of this week’s resumption of rivalries.
But there is no doubt that Europe are in determined form with McIlroy speaking about this competition just as the last was closing, declaring that the toughest thing in golf was winning the Ryder Cup on foreign soil.
The Holywood man completed the career Grand Slam this year at The Masters, and following the Irish Open success, Rory is planning for his own triple crown to round off a memorable year.
