Golf: Ryder Cup: Dollars Will Never Buck the Trend

One of the many pleasing aspects of the whupping that Europe doled out to the college boys in Detroit last weekend was the emergence of a new European leader. Ever since the format was expanded, there has always been a European golfer for whom the Ryder Cup meant that little bit more than anyone else. First it was Seve Ballesteros, then Colin Montgomerie and now Sergio García.

It was García who, when for a queasy moment it seemed that a repeat of the Brookline charge might be on the cards, knocked such a fanciful notion on the head by winning three straight holes against Phil Mickelson. It was García who throughout the three days smiled even when he lost a hole and gave the impression that he was thoroughly enjoying himself. It was García who, whether paired with the experienced Lee Westwood or debutant Luke Donald, was an inspiration to his partner and his team. He has been the youngest player in each of the past three Ryder Cups and he has played in every match available to him. His record now reads: won 10, lost 3, halved 2. He is only 24 and he has already gleaned nearly exactly half the points that Seve gained in his whole career. Monty has given his all and he can now gracefully step aside in the knowledge that a new leader is groomed and raring to go.

Compare and contrast with the Americans, who because they persist in calling us 'Euros' shall henceforth be called 'Dollars'. They remain a team in search of leadership, which must be particularly galling as the Dollars - from their CEOs to their generals to their Presidents - expect and demand and really rate themselves at providing strong leadership. Yet their two prime golfing candidates are incapable of displaying it.

First, there is Tiger Woods, who, insulated from the rest of the world by his phalanx of yes-men, has become so other-worldly as to be almost alien. Plonk him in front of a microphone and ask him to sell brand and he will give it the full Tiger beam and spout away. Place him in a team room and ask him to inspire his countrymen and he dries up and looks uncomfortable.

Then there's Phil Mickelson, who broke his major duck early in the season and seemed to be a changed man. Surely, good ol' Phil could be the totemic figure the Dollars so urgently required. Instead, he banjaxed his team's chances and his own image by changing clubs a week before the event. By putting his new brand ahead of the team, he encapsulated the extent of the Dollars' malaise.

How deep this malaise might be would be best tested if other sports followed golf's lead and set up competitions that so satisfyingly match the Europeans against the Dollars. Tennis could very readily organise a biennial contest, the first two days to be given over to men's, women's and mixed-doubles matches, before 12 singles matches all going off at the same time on the third.

The rankings suggest that it would be close, but once again Europe would have the edge in leadership. Roger Federer has performed heroically for Switzerland in the Davis Cup, proving that - take note, Woods - you can be the best in the world and a team player at the same time. What's more, his refusal to be tied down by IMG suggests that - take note, Mickelson - he wouldn't change his racket manufacturer the week before the event.

Another area for competition might be motor sport. A dozen drivers a side, racing Nascar on Saturday and Formula One on Sunday, would make some viewing. And, once again, you would have to reckon that Michael Schumacher might be the more inspirational leader than, say, Dick Trickle.

Defeating the Dollars at golf is deeply gratifying, but to defeat them at motor-car driving, well... 'Henry Ford, Louis Chevrolet, David Dunbar Buick, Walter Chrysler, Ransom Eli Olds, John and Horace Dodge, your boys have taken one hell of a beating ... .'

Imagine the damage that roll call could do to the Dollars' psyche.