The Daily Feather — Gameplan: Superior Putting in Rome

“One of the chief reasons for our failure was the superior putting of the American team. They holed out much better than we did.”

Ted Ray, British Captain, Ryder Cup, 1927

Journeying across the pond on the Aquitania from Southampton required six days on the Atlantic. Aboard was Britain’s first Ryder Cup Captain, Ted Ray, who stepped in for Abe Mitchell, stricken as he was with appendicitis. Worcester Country Club in Massachusetts hosted the first formal match which will celebrate its centennial in 2027. Featuring four foursomes and eight singles matches, legendary golfer Walter Hagen led his American side to a 9.5-2.5 victory that June. Since the inauguration of the biannual event, the U.S. has prevailed 27 times to Europe’s 14 victories. This year’s 44th Ryder Cup is the first to be held in Rome at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. U.S. Captain Zach Johnson will lead 23 teammates to what we Yanks hope will be the win that breaks a 30-year losing streak on European soil. Luke Donald captains the Europeans, who aim to maintain the home-field winning streak intact since 1993, bolstered by the mastery of Rory McIlroy.

We suspect many trading floors will have a screen or two tuned in to replays of the practice rounds, which begin today. Any distraction will be welcome given last week’s assemblage of risk-off catalysts is growing. Last week was buffeted by a double dip in homebuilder confidence, a resolute Federal Reserve, and the UAW strike. The trading week culminated with news out of FactSet that estimates for the quarter that ends Friday flipping negative in the last week, to -0.2% year-over-year (YoY), which will mark a full year in the earnings recession. Rite Aid will be adding to the Chapter 11 carnage, closing 500 stores. Add to the quarter’s end what’s increasingly looking like an imminent U.S. government shutdown.