More than likely: By the time you pull your head off your pillow tomorrow morning, Team USA will have teed off against the European squad for the 41st Ryder Cup. And while Europe has won 8 of the last 10 international competitions, we have some indications this time, it might be different.
I’ll direct you to Exhibit A: At Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota, several of the European players were having difficulty making the same putt during a practice round.
So a heckler, perhaps feeling a little spry after some Coors Lites, starts filling the ears of the European players. And Sweden’s Henrik Stenson called him out. "Think you can do better?" He challenged him.
Britain’s Justin Rose sweetened the deal. Here’s a Benjamin, dropped a $100 bill near the ball.
This American, named David Johnson by his parents, but you can call him Clutch. He drained the putt in front of a massive crowd, and of course broke out in a huge roar as the ball hit the bottom of the cup. Johnson celebrated with the European squad including Northern Ireland’s Rory Kilroy. Gave the man a manly hug.
Then Rose offered the hunskie to Johnson and at first, Johnson said he didn’t want the money, but, well, OK, maybe he’ll spring for that IPA on tap instead of the Coors Lite. That, Sir Johnson, is a good day. Making all of ‘Merica proud.
So if American fans can putt like that, then surely our American pros should be able to drop some birdies in the bucket. Good luck to Team USA. Again Ryder Cup action begins Friday morning.
How about some more international competition. Congratulations Canada. Winner of the World Cup of Hockey tournament that began on September 17th.
Canada won in comeback fashion, 2-1 the final.
Some local teams players, the Ducks’ Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and the Kings’ Jake Muzzin and Drew Doughty both won with the Canadian team.
And Canada, we (Americans) are happy to honor your great nation for it’s hockey superiority. Now please, just take Justin Bieber back.
Speaking of mega star musicians: Lady Gaga will headline the Super Bowl halftime show. The NFL and Pepsi announced the pop star will take the stage in Houston for Super Bowl 51. Of course she sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl earlier this year and received rave reviews.
OTHER TOP STORIES:
-The Dolphins offense still stinks. But the Bengals are "back" (as though they ever left) with a 22-7 win over the AFC East head-scratcher.
-The Final days of the MLB regular season is fascinating. The Dodgers have a chance to catch the Nationals (although manager Dave Roberts said they aren’t very concerned about it, they’re just trying to "win every day") to get home field in the first round. They beat San Diego Thursday, but the Nats took out Arizona. Dodgers are 2 games back with 3 to play.
– Texans mega star JJ Watt is done for the season after having back surgery. He needed surgery through the off season, leaving many to wonder if he’d return to form. Seemed he had gotten close at times through the first 2 games, but was re injured in the Thursday Night tilt against New England. It was predicted in THIS SPACE that he would not return to his former dominant self. Big man with back injuries are like fast guys with blown ACLs… sometimes it’s just never the same.
