Ryder Cup 2020: Ranking the Best and Worst Performers From Whistling Straits

The 2020 Ryder Cup had an entertaining finish, to say the least. Team USA won the event with a score of 19-9, the largest margin of victory in the modern era. The home team skipper Steve Stricker led this rookie team exceptionally well and did not allow Team Europe to dominate even once in three days. 

Team USA had the best team on paper, and they played even better on grass. The Americans finally looked like Europe, which have dominated the Ryder Cup by winning nine of the previous 12. But this time at the Whistling Straits, it was not just a win, but a dominating win that broke the European team.  

Meanwhile, there were around six rookies for the team against the vastly experienced Europes. But who was the best and the worst player this weekend? Let us find out. 

Best performances of the 2020 Ryder Cup

1. Dustin Johnson – Without any doubt, the best player of the 2020 Ryder Cup has to be Dustin Johnson. The 37-year-old was the oldest and the most experienced player on the team. Hence, everyone expected a lot from Dustin, and he has proved everyone right. Stricker rightly played him in all the matches over three days and utilized his form to the fullest. DJ remained unbeaten in all five games and created history at Whistling Straits. 

2. Jon Rahm – The world no.1 Spaniard was the most impressive golfer from the European team in this event. He won three matches, tied, and lost one over the three days. Jon Rahm was the only force in the European Team this week, and his pairing with Sergio Garcia looked unbeatable. 

3. Bryson DeChambeau – There was a lot of criticism about Bryson DeChambeau before this Ryder Cup. However, the tide seems to have turned, and suddenly DeChambeau has become a fan-favorite because of his brilliant performance. He played in the four-ball event on both days and stamped his authority on the course with his power game. He won three matches and tied one out of the four that he played this week. 

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The worst performances of the week

1. Viktor Hovland – Viktor Hovland is one of the prominent players on the PGA and European Tours. Hence, skipper Harrington had a lot of expectations from him which, sadly, weren’t fulfilled. However, this was his first-ever Ryder Cup, so, understandably, he might have had a few butterflies in his stomach. But given Viktor’s caliber is, he should have won at least one point for his team.  

2. Rory McIlroy – A lot was expected from this world-class player. However, sadly, his game looked to be in all sorts of trouble as he faced a miserable defeat – not once, but thrice. Nothing was going his way this week, which hurt the team in blue badly. But Rory McIlroy tried to redeem himself with a victory on the final day, which was too little too late. 

3. Ian Poulter – Ian Poulter, who is known to be a Ryder Cup specialist, couldn’t get his game going this week. He struggled a lot with his overall game, which hampered Team Europe’s chances. However, he still managed to keep his unbeaten record in the Sunday singles as he won on the final day against Tony Finau. But Harrington expected a lot when he picked the Britisher as one of his captain’s picks.  

So, these were the best and the worst performances from this year’s Ryder Cup. However, hopefully, the 2022 Ryder Cup will have a closer contest which will be played in Italy for the first time.

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