Should the Ryder Cup be changed to North America vs Europe?

its_steve116

...as opposed to just the US? I can't quite understand why a single country would be competing against an entire continent. Canada has some great players like Mike Weir and Corey Connors and for them, along with Mexican golfers, to be included on the hypothetical Team North America would make more sense in my opinion.

Mushy

In fairness each state is the equivalent of a country. But yeah, would be fun to include them

its_steve116

I think North America vs Europe would make a lot more sense.

slave1

We'd still win,why not Americas?

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121181638#Comment_121181638

As in North and South? Funnily enough I have seen that suggested online somewhere.

Trampas

They would have to change the president cup and they’re not doing to bad in that. We win at home and they win at home. Didn’t help us having awful captains away and probably the best USA team last time out

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121182288#Comment_121182288

Well how about just reverting to the USA vs the UK? 🤣

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121182454#Comment_121182454

When was it the USA vs the UK?

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121183357#Comment_121183357

Up until 1971. It was the USA vs Great Britain and Ireland between 1973 and 1977 before switching to this single-country-vs-entire-continent format in 1979.

Adiaga 2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121183362#Comment_121183362

Someone should have told Christy O'Connor this because he managed to play in 8 Ryder Cups before 1971. Harry Bradshaw played in 3.

Seve OB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121183362#Comment_121183362

Nope. It was never called UK.

Although the team was referred to as "Great Britain" up to 1971, a number of golfers from the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Guernseyand Jersey had played for Great Britain before that date. In 1973, the official team name was changed to "Great Britain and Ireland,” but this was simply a change of name to reflect the fact that golfers from the Republic of Ireland had played in the "Great Britain" Ryder Cup team since Harry Bradshaw in 1953, while Northern Irish players had competed since Fred Daly in 1947.

its_steve116

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121181654#Comment_121181654

Think this was where it was mentioned?

https://forums.golfwrx.com/topic/1098308-why-not-add-canada-to-the-ryder-cup/page/2/

Surely the US ego wouldn't allow such a thing...

They'd see it as them being failures and needing help.

gormdubhgorm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121248242#Comment_121248242

The bit I don't get is the Ryder Cup clearly echoes the EU - with the colours etc. But yet the UK is still in it in. The devilment in me thinks the UK should be left out of it. Either that or the colours should change.

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121248246#Comment_121248246

We'd have to leave Hovland out too, so maybe that wouldn't be such a great idea!