Call it three decades or even almost one-third of a century! But the fact remains that it’s been 31 years since the United States of America won the Ryder Cup on foreign soil. Even the 2023 Ryder Cup team, which sported the likes of Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, and World No. 5 Wyndham Clark, failed to emerge victorious in Italy.

Fast forward a year into the fourth major of 2024, and we see a similar trend at the Open Championship. The worrisome pattern, however, can’t help but weigh down Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour’s shoulders.

The regular season of the 2024 PGA Tour Schedule features a total of 36 events, as per the official schedule, not including the FedEx Cup playoffs and finale. Out of the same, only 6 events are contested outside of the United States of America, with just two (Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship) being contested in Europe.

The lack of exposure to European soil and links courses has seemingly proved detrimental for American golfers. Many US Ryder Cup stars failed to leave a mark at Royal Troon, including the likes of Wyndham Clark, who missed the cut, while Spieth, Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, and Brian Harman are placed at T51, T25, T74, and T40,  respectively.

The performance, coupled with the fact that the American team lost 16.5–11.5 to the European team at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Italy, truly paints a worrying picture for the athletes. Moreover, back in the Ryder Cup, the U.S. Team could only win a total of 13 matches as opposed to the European squad, which raked in 23 victories.

This, inevitably, calls to attention the need for Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour to give U.S. professionals more exposure to such soil and Links Golf Courses. How can they do it? Well, the men’s circuit can conduct events outside America, especially in places such as Scotland, Ireland, and England, which boast such conditions. This is something even Scottie Scheffler might agree with!

Scottie Scheffler’s practice ahead of the Open Championship

While the likes of Schauffele and Rory McIlroy decided to take part in the Renaissance Club to get familiar with the kind of layouts and conditions, Scheffler chose the Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire. The golfer chose the same after taking a 3-week break after the Travelers Championship, in which he had emerged victorious.

The golfer is currently placed at T8 after the third round of play at the 2024 Open Championship. Meanwhile, one can’t help but wonder if he would have fared even better had he played at the Genesis Scottish Open, which also boasts the ‘Links Factor’. Playing in a similar playing condition might have improved his standing, just like Schauffele’s, who is currently placed at T2 after Round 3. Well, the community can only assume, right?!