Ryder reasons: How a spirited, superior USA trounced Europe

The home side had the better players but Pádraig Harrington didn’t help himself with his wildcards or partnerships

Rivals Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka embrace after Team USA's comprehensoive Ryder Cup success at Whistling Straits

USA strength

The most fundamental and important, if boring, point. On paper, USA had the stronger Ryder Cup team by a considerable margin. If they played to their full potential, Europe would not have enough strength in depth to compete with them. And so it proved; there was not a single failure in the home team, justifying their heavy favouritism before a ball was struck. Sport would be a terribly dull place if expected outcomes based on talent level was the outcome all the time but in this case it was precisely what happened. Every USA player returned at least a point, three Europeans won none.