What next for USA’s Ryder Cup stars after their demolition of Europe?

Dave Tindall
27 September 2021

Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson at the Ryder Cup

The record-breaking victory at Whistling Straits could spark a surge of wins for the Americans but 2018 offers a good omen for the beaten Europeans too.

When Europe crushed the USA in the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National, the celebrations ran long into the Paris night.

The European team and staff were still drinking in the success for a week or two after but then a ripple effect started to occur. Those heroes in France began enjoying individual success.

Three weeks after the Ryder Cup, Sergio Garcia won the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama.

A fortnight later, Justin Rose captured the Turkish Airlines Open, a prestigious Rolex Series event.

And the following Sunday, Lee Westwood was hoisting the silverware at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, another Rolex Series tournament.

Yep, Westwood didn't hit a shot at Le Golf National but he was in the thick of it all in his role as a vice-captain. The good vibes had definitely been felt by the Englishman too.

So will something similar happen to this triumphant US squad?

With so many of them in the world's top 10, it's likely they will be challenging for trophies anyway. But maybe the bounce effect of Whistling Straits will lead to an exaggerated number of victories.

Let's focus on the top four US scorers from Whistling Straits...

5pts - Dustin Johnson

At 37, DJ was the old man of the US team but that didn't stop him becoming just the third player in history to win all five matches.

That suggests if he finds the right course, a third Major title could come his way in 2022.

Johnson has already conquered Augusta National so a second Masters is on the radar and perhaps he could be inspired by the scene of another US Ryder Cup victory, Brookline.

The 1999 Ryder Cup venue stages June's US Open and should be a good fit for DJ.

3.5pts - Collin Morikawa

Morikawa has two Majors and a 3.5pts haul on his Ryder Cup debut. In short, the 24-year-old is an absolute phenom.

He went 18-8-4-1 in the Majors last year so is a legitimate challenger in all four.

It will be particularly fascinating to see how he fares in his Open title defence given that this year's event is at St Andrews, a stage where the cream so often rises to the top.

3.5pts - Patrick Cantlay

It's been quite a year for Cantlay. Let's rephrase that: it's been an astonishing year.

Four wins, the FedEx Cup jackpot and a superb Ryder Cup debut, franked by beating Shane Lowry in he singles.

A first Major title is very much on the agenda now and he'll want to raise his game at that level having managed just two two 10s in 19 tries.

He went close in the 2019 Masters so Augusta National could be where Cantlay makes the breakthrough.

3pts - Xander Schauffele

Like Cantlay, Schauffele is seeking a first Major but his bucket list is continually getting reduced so it's fair to expect he lands one in 2022.

Having already won a WGC (shortly after the 2018 Ryder Cup), Schauffele has ticked off Olympic gold and a Ryder Cup win this year. His contribution at Whistling Straits was an impressive three wins from four matches.

His game fits so many courses but given the Californian's ridiculously good US Open record of 5-6-3-5-7, perhaps the 2022 edition at Brookline is the place to bet him.

Europe to bounce back in Majors?

Perhaps one good omen for Harrington's beaten side comes by looking at what happened in 2019.

The first two Majors of that year were won by Tiger Woods (The Masters) and Brooks Koepka (PGA Championship). That pair had been on the losing side in Paris the previous September.

So how about a bit of role reversal and some of Harrington's losing 12 tasting victory in the 2022 Majors.

We pick out the leading candidates.

3.5pts - Jon Rahm

Rahm would be the obvious choice, especially after he landed the US Open at Torrey Pines back in June.

He was sensational for the first two days of the Ryder Cup, justifying his status as World No.1.

Rahm looks all set to add more Majors sooner rather than later and could seriously challenge for all four next year.

Compatriots Seve and Ollie were both Ryder Cup standouts, who ended up winning Green Jackets.

Perhaps Rahm can follow suit and capture April's Masters where he has course form of 5-7-9-4 the last four years.

3pts - Sergio Garcia

Sergio loves the Ryder Cup and formed Europe's best partnership alongside fellow Spaniard Rahm.

He finally bagged a first elusive Major when winning the 2017 Masters. And after a curiously poor record at that level in the aftermath (11 missed cuts in his next 15), Sergio cracked the top 20 in the final two Majors of 2021.

One of his five Open top fives came at St Andrews so the Old Course could be a good spot for him again next July.

1.5pts - Tyrrell Hatton

Hatton had some poor form heading to Whistling Straits but still emerged as Europe's third top scorer, producing a stunning birdie at 18 to halve his opening fourballs match.

While Augusta National has bamboozled him, the Englishman has made the top 10 in each of the other three Majors.

His best chance in 2022 will surely come at St Andrews. The Old Course stages two rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a tournament Hatton has won twice.

1pt - Rory McIlroy

It's 2014 since Rory won the last of his four Majors but anyone who thinks golf doesn't quite mean as much to him these days should think again after his emotional interview at Whistling Straits.

An emotional Rory McIlroy after his singles victory.#TeamEurope #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/nhvkUlVV5V
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 26, 2021

Rory concluded a tough week by winning his singles and may use that as a launching pad to show that he still means business in 2022.

He'd love to crack Augusta National but he boasts a superb record at St Andrews so will definitely target the Open as a likely scene for his first Major win in eight years.

McIlroy had to miss the 2015 Open at St Andrews with a foot injury so he'll be extra determined to make a splash this time.