After the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, here’s how Max Homa described the feeling of having a putt to keep the Ryder Cup on ice. If he misses, the event is over and the U.S. loses.
This is from the NLU pod he went on.
“I remember being over that putt saying, ‘You asked for this. You can be nervous, but you asked for this exactly so you better at least relish the opportunity.’
“I turned my brain on. ‘You wanted this, this is a very cool opportunity.’ I lost full control of my body. I can’t believe watching it that you can’t see my legs shaking. I couldn’t feel anything. My legs were full-blown vibrating like I had 50 phones tied to my legs, and everyone was calling me. It was wild. I watched it last night, and I don’t know how I made it.
“That mother****** was right in the middle. It was the best putt ever.”
Max Homa
One of my laments about the last five Ryder Cups — all the ones I’ve covered in my career — is that none of them have been truly close on Sunday. Sure, you’ll get that 15-minute stretch on Sunday when you talk yourself into something silly.
But in the end, it’s obvious in retrospect that there was only one way the event was going to go.
The average margin of victory since the Miracle at Medinah is 6.6 points. That’s lousy if you’re a fan of watching kings of sport struggle to operate under the crushing weight of the most pressure a golfer can feel — being one of the last four matches out in a 12-12 Ryder Cup.
Especially compared to a couple of decades ago when every Ryder Cup came down to the last few matches.
And while it would be nice to experience another American blowout at home, I don’t think 1. That’s what we’re going to get or 2. That’s what I want to see.
Here’s what Rory said recently to the Guardian.
“If I compare it to the last two away Ryder Cups that I have played, I would say we are in a way better spot. I still believe we are the underdogs but I feel more confident than I was in 2016 and 2021 that we can pull it off.”
Rory McIlroy
For all the bloviating I have done of late about how the Americans have the advantage this week, it is still true that the Euros have more juice than 2016 when they had [squints] six rookies go 7-9-1, including bagels from Danny Willett, Matt Fitz and Andy Sullivan. They’re also a lot better than in 2021 when they got caught between generations Paul Casey, Lee Westy and Ian Poulter going 2-8-0 in their last event together.
This Euro team has real swagger and will not lose either 17-11 or 19-9 like they did in the last two in the United States. It will not be put away nearly that easily, which leads me to my desire for the week.
Not since Martin Kaymer stood over this putt have we had a shot in which the outcome of that shot was legitimately going to change that person’s life.
I want to see what having a putt on No. 17 against Rasmus Hojgaard to win the Ryder Cup does to Justin Thomas. I want to see how Rory reacts when he makes (or misses) a putt against Bryson to complete the circle after he promised a victory at Bethpage in Rome. I want to see how much (not if, but how much) Scottie’s hands shake when he has 10 feet for the event against Shane Lowry with just two matches still out on the golf course. I am desperate for something like this.
The Ryder Cup has given us almost everything over the last 13 years. Bellowing villains, ridiculous press conferences, all manner of controversy. But it hasn’t given us the most harrowing moment in golf. It hasn’t afforded us that singular moment made up of equal parts fear and desire.
It hasn’t given us — at least not in a very long time — the pinnacle of tension in this sport. I want it this week. Want to see it up close in all its devastating glory.
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