Ryder Cup changes we'd like to see before 2027 tournament

The U.S. team should expand to include all of North America to somewhat even the population advantage Europe holds.
Another idea is to rotate the playing schedule, such as starting with singles, to keep the event fresh.
Is there anything to be done with the fans?

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Every two years, the golf world gathers for the premier international competition within the sport, the Ryder Cup.

This current one, which ends Sunday and will almost surely be a European victory barring an unprecedented choke job and American comeback, will likely go down as one of the most lopsided in the 45 iterations of the tournament – certainly within the modern format (since 1979).

With that in mind, here are three changes we’d like to see when the Ryder Cup returns in 2027 at Adare Manor in Limerick, Ireland.

One side needs more countries (it’s not Europe)

Approximate population of Europe: 744 million (per Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data).

Approximate population of the U.S.: 347 million.

That’s a big difference. Make it North America vs. Europe – a true continent-on-continent battle – in order to open up the pool available to the U.S. side. Corey Conners (Canada), for example, could have been helpful this week.

Could this be seen as American cope? Absolutely. But the argument is perfectly logical and doable.

Rotate the playing schedule each time

Changing the format or the structure of the tournament isn’t totally necessary. But having the alternate shot and best ball formats lead the first two days is somewhat redundant.

Have alternate shot start one day, and then have best ball lead off the next. Start the tournament with singles, and then two years later, have it be the middle day. Two years after that, return the format to the final day.

Changes like that will create a fresh feel to the tournament. Don’t lose the team and partnership formats – that’s the whole point.

Find right balance with fans, noise

No real solution here, just a warning. Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy were, legitimately, verbally abused throughout Saturday afternoon. Yes, they’re signing up for it. Yes, they know what’s coming. And yes, they’re returning the favor with their own taunts and bird-flips. But no, they don’t deserve to have their weight – Jon Rahm did find an “Ozempic” heckle toward him during a practice round funny – or appearances or family involved.

But being rowdy at the Ryder Cup is part of the event’s DNA. The impetus is on the fans themselves to properly toe the line. Society has lost that ability, though. There was a brawl on the grandstand behind the 18th green as the afternoon matches ended Saturday. The Ryder Cup may be the most football-like atmosphere in golf, but it shouldn’t actually resemble a Southeastern Conference game.

It’s still golf.

More security? More ejections? Less alcohol? For all of the questions, hopefully there is an answer – before something too serious happens.

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