THE 43RD RYDER CUP at Whistling Straits is in the books. TEAM U-S-A wins 19-9.         ____________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy. OR connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

REPORTING FROM Haven Wisconsin.

19-9. Remember that score. Because you can bet the European’s will, when the Ryder Cup gets over to Italy in 2023.

Rory McIlroy already can’t wait to get there, and be a part of that team. But for now, enjoy USA fans, the three year wait has now been worth it. So give the USA some credit, and Captain Steve Stricker even more. Because Team USA went and took back the Ryder Cup, and there was practically no argument about it. 19-9, and it could have been even more lopsided than it was.

Steve Stricker made it sound like his strategy was simple. Stay out of the way and his highly rated team go out and play, and win. Much of the usual schedule during Ryder Cup week was discarded, and the players just had to get ready whatever that was and go play.

Rory McIlroy started things out on Sunday trying to set the tone for a possible Team Europe comeback, defeating Xander Schauffele 3 & 2. But it wasn’t enough. Because right behind McIlroy’s win, came wins for the USA by Patrick Cantlay, Scottie Scheffler over World #1 Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau over the winningest player in Ryder Cup history in Sergio Garcia. With the Spanish armada sunk, and the USA only half point away from taking back the cup early-the rout was on.

Dustin Johnson who became one of the few players in Ryder Cup history to play in all five matches, and go 5-0-0 had a chance to score the winning point. But it was Collin Morikawa who with a half in his match against Viktor Hovland, scored the cup clinching point. With Johnson and then Brooks Koepka winning right behind Morikawa.

Team Europe settles in for the post matches interview session.

In the later matches some of the Team Europe veterans made their case.

When Ian Poulter won his match over Tony Finau, he crouched down with his head in hands. There was immediate speculation that Poulter was treating the win like it was his last Ryder Cup match.

Lee Westwood won his match over Harris English, when English dunked his ball in the creek around the 18th green. But afterwards Westwood acted like his Ryder Cup playing career had ended. Westwood admitted that he will be 49 years of age soon, the and time is not on his side. Westwood had his son with him for what could be his final journey as a player, in a Ryder Cup match.

CLICK HERE to hear Team Europe’s post round final press conference.

Team USA at it’s post round Sunday press conference.

Team USA is a much younger team that it has been in years. Stricker had six captains picks, many more than most Team USA captains have had for years.

While there was some debate about all six of the players that were picked. in one way or another, those captains picks came through for Team USA. But Stricker says they were selected because they are good players, who were good guys and could get along.

CLICK HERE to hear Team USA’s post round Sunday press conference.

Daniel Berger was sent out last on Sunday, when the captains pick ended his match with a win. The 43rd Ryder Cup was in the books, and Team USA seemed to be back on track, after almost two decades of struggles.

The Gog Blog Speaks Out returns tomorrow. RS