Stats back American bid
As the saying goes, there are lies, damn lies and statistics, but a comparison of the performance of the Ryder Cup teams certainly favours the United States.
Based on data collected this season, Curtis Strange’s side hold the upper hand in the majority of all the major categories.
The 12-man US team are more accurate, hitting 68.3% of fairways compared to 64.5% for the European team, and, not surprisingly, the holders also have a better scoring average – 70.74 to 71.08 – a fact explained by their average of 28.9 putts per round compared to 29.3.
Both teams are virtually equal when it comes to length off the tee, with the Europeans marginally ahead 281.5 yards to the Americans’ 281.2, although Strange’s side possess the longest average driver in Tiger Woods (294.4).
But there is some good news for Sam Torrance and his team. Despite missing more fairways, the European players still manage to find more greens in regulation – 68.61 to 67.1% – and also display more skill from sand, escaping from bunkers with par 54.6% of the time, compared to 52.7%.
