Despite Europe’s dominance in the Ryder Cup over the years, it enters this latest renewal at a decided disadvantage in one key category: experience.
Looking at the rosters, Europe will tee up six rookies in Rafael Cabrera Bello, Thomas Pieters, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood and Masters winner Danny Willett.
Aside from Willett, none of those players are inside the top 30 (Cabrera ranks 30th in the Official World Golf Ranking).
It could be that the U.S. has the strongest links of both rosters, but the combination of weaker links in the European chain could provide enough team solidarity to overtake Team USA on its own soil.