Possibly the difference over the last few occasions (and it is a very small one in terms of abilty) is that the European Team is not a national side. Which is its strength. The European flag flies at the event but that is a bit of a joke as no one in Europe really take much notice of it.

The Ryder Cup is now many national teams all playing together against a national side. Every golfer in Europe wants to be in the team and take part in order to unite against the common enemy (in golfing terms only) and to show that their tour is every bit as good as the US golfers think their tour is.

I am not a nationalist in any shape or form - the history of following nationalist causes all over the world shows us that this is not something to be repeated. And although this is a little less harmful when applied to sport - the approach shown by all the participants in the Ryder Cup is something I can support and be excited by.