Ryder Cup: New era for Team USA

KOHLER, United States – A new era of American golfers sent a message Sunday with a record-setting Ryder Cup blowout of Europe, their young and talented core looking ready to dominate for years.

With eight under-30 players and six Ryder Cup rookies, the Americans completed a 19-9 rout of Europe at Whistling Straits that signaled a generational change to the world.

Farewell Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Say hello to Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele, two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, US PGA playoff champion Patrick Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler, 20-something stars.

“We have a lot of young guys, they’re going to be on teams for a long time and I wanted to send a message,” said Cantlay. “Everyone has that killer instinct and we’re going to bring that to future Cups.

“This is going to be the next era of Ryder Cup teams for the US side.”

The most lopsided victory since the US-Europe format began in 1979 served notice that a squad with nine of the world’s 11 top-ranked players was on a mission.

“This is a new era for USA golf,” US captain Steve Stricker said. “They are young. They are motivated. They wanted it. They come with a lot of energy, a lot of passion, a lot of game. It’s exciting to see. This is a very special group of guys.”

Third-ranked Morikawa, 24, and fourth-ranked Cantlay, 29, each delivered 3.5 points. Fifth-ranked Schauffele, 27, had 3 points and world number 21 Scheffler, 25, had 2.5, the last in a 4&3 singles win over Spanish world number one Jon Rahm.

And they were all rookies along with 11th-ranked Harris English, 32, and 16th-ranked Daniel Berger, 28.

“We showed the world what we can do as a team and I think it’s the precedent for the future of American golf,” said US veteran Tony Finau.

Pals Cantlay and Schauffele figure to be a US pairs powerhouse for years and the clubhouse chemistry promises a tighter bond than prior eras.

“I think the young guys on this team get along really well,” Cantlay said.