LEN ZIEHM checks out the new Tour Edge 522 series clubs. They are now in his bag, should they be in yours. Learn more TourEdge.com. The 522 series available in 1 week. _____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on Facebook or LinkedIn. At the Ryder Cup in Haven Wisconsin.

(REPORTING FROM HAVEN WIS.)

The 43rd Ryder Cup Matches are here at the Whistling Straits golf links, part of Destination Kohler.

But it’s been a long wait, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

But the better news, is that it’s being played with fans. If it had been held last year. The fans would not have been allowed on the course. Which is no way to hold a Ryder Cup.

Let’s play some golf at Whistling Straits

The captains are Padraig Harrington for Team Europe, who played on several Ryder Cup teams over the years.

But it’s Wisconsin Home-Town native Steve Stricker for Team USA. Stricker grew up in Edgerton Wisconsin, which is near Madison. But because he got a better scholarship offer from Illinois, he went and played in Champaign. He is still close to the Illinois Golf Program, and coach, his teammate from his college days Mike Small.

The Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

While the USA holds an over lead in the Ryder Cup, it’s Europe that has come on strong in the last two decades. Winning 9 of the last 12 Ryder Cups.

This year Team USA is the favorite, especially playing on home soil. But the USA has been a favorite in several of the recent defeats.

But perhaps the most crushing defeat, was the come from behind win by the Europeans in 2012 at Medinah. The USA had a 4 point lead heading into Sunday’s singles, and not many thought Europe could rally from that deficit. But they did, leaving the USA fans stunned. It took four years when the USA finally won at Hazeltine in Minnesota in 2016. Things did not go well in France 3 years ago, and Europe crushed the USA. As a result the American’s have had a long wait to get revenge.

Harrington made sure veteran Ryder Cuppers Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were part of this years team. Stricker made somewhat of a youth movement, adding players like Daniel Berger, Scottie Scheffler, Harris English with three of his six captains picks.

CLICK HERE to hear Ryder Cup preview comments from team Europe’s Tyrell Hatton and Jon Rahm. From Team USA Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau.

The matches have started-enjoy fun golf at it’s best.