5 Things You Need to Know About the Ryder Cup
One of the most competitive and contentious golf tournaments of the year is upon us.
One of the most competitive and contentious golf tournaments of the year is upon us: The Ryder Cup.
Grab your golf cart buddy,
The Last Night’s Game Team
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RYDER CUP
1. The tournament, played every other year, puts the 12 best U.S. golfers head-to-head with the 12 best golfers in Europe. The tournament alternates between both sides of the pond. This year, the U.S. team is favored to win- even though they haven’t won a Ryder Cup on European soil since 1993. BUT WE HAVE TIGER
2. For the first time, the matchup will take place in Paris in front of an audience of 50,000 spectators. In an effort to keep everyone safe, the tournament will be protected by an elite “ring of steel,” which includes elite counter-terrorism special forces and infrared missiles. NOT MESSING AROUND
3. Ryder Cup participants are not paid any prize money. It’s all about the bragging rights. This leads to fierce patriotism amongst both players and fans, who have been known to push their heckling a little too far. (It probably doesn’t help that they start selling beer at 7:00 am). TOO MUCH TRASH TALK
4. American and European celebrities also play in their own Ryder Cup. This year’s U.S. team, featuring actor Samuel L. Jackson, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, creamed the Europeans. A GOOD OMEN FOR THE REAL DEAL?
5. You may notice the players wearing yellow ribbons this weekend. That’s to honor Iowa State player Celia Barquin-Arozamena, the golfer from Spain who was tragically murdered while practicing alone earlier this month. CELEBRATING A CHAMPION
MORE. MORE. MORE.
Two female sportscasters are making history. Plus a new hockey mascot is stirring up the internet. READ MORE
The Envelope Please
Your reward for making it to Friday? Oscar award winning conversation starters.
Your reward for making it to Friday? Oscar award winning conversation starters.
It's just an honor to be nominated,
The Last Night’s Game Team
NBA (National Basketball Association)
When you know you’re not getting your security deposit back. Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry has won two league MVP awards but his golf game might need a little work. He was practicing his swing inside his hotel room which resulted in broken glass everywhere. Guess he’s the reason they charge for incidentals when checking in.
If all you need in life is the perfect cheer. NBA legend Charles Barkley is hosting Saturday Night Live this week. This is Barkley’s fourth time hosting the show and you can expect some parodies around his famous “I am not a role model” quote. Let’s see if he can one up the best athlete skit ever - Peyton Manning as a United Way youth volunteer.
Overtime
A balmy 50 degrees is like summer weather if you’re a NHL (National Hockey League) fan. The largest crowd ever at the Naval Academy is expected to brave the weather to catch the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals play outdoors in Annapolis, MD.
Sideline stat
Whoever said 50 years old was over the hill was full of crap. Meet George Corones the 99-year-old Australian swimmer who broke the record for the 50m swim for his age category by a whole 35 seconds. Somewhere Michael Phelps is envisioning his comeback.
Coaches’ corner
Not really into sports but love Hollywood? The two worlds collide at the Oscars, which are this Sunday. Former NBA player Kobe Bryant is nominated for his animated short Dear Basketball. Check out our Top Five Oscar Winning Sports Movies so you can be a part of the conversation or at least have an excuse to watch movies all weekend.
The Rundown: Monday Mayhem
Happy Monday! While you may still wish it was Sunday, today’s a clean slate to start off a great week.
That’s the spirit!
The Last Night’s Game Team
Tour De France
- You look good in yellow. Britain’s Chris Froome won his third consecutive Tour de France and his fourth overall Tour title yesterday. After 23 grueling days, he received prize money valued at $572,000. (See below where four days of golf lands you $1.8 million).
PGA (Professional Golfers Association)
- Youth prevails. At 23 years old, Jordan Spieth became the youngest American to ever win The Open (aka The British Open). He overcame a horrific early round with one shot that was so bad we could’ve hit it, to bring home the win and $1.8 million in prize money.
WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association)
- Winning and looking good while doing it. The WNBA All-Star Game was in Seattle this weekend and not only did the West beat the East, but they also brought their A game when it came to their shoes. If you’re looking for a new pair of kicks, these ladies rocked it.
Overtime
- Where do athletes go during games to pee? (Don’t act like you’ve never been curious). They can’t simply leave the field when nature calls. Here’s a funny sneak peek into what athletes do when there are no other options. All we’re saying is choose your sideline Gatorade cup carefully.
Sideline stat
- Discovery Channel kicked off its Shark Week by pitting Olympian Michael Phelps against a great white shark. Spoiler alert! They didn’t actually race in the ocean side by side and some viewers were not happy about that. Apparently they don't care about killing off an American treasure. Regardless, the shark utilized the home field advantage of the shark infested, cold South African waters to beat Phelps by two seconds.
Coaches’ corner
- The U.S. Men’s National Team beat Costa Rica to advance to the Gold Cup finals on Wednesday against Jamaica. Why is this match so important? Well, Team U.S.A. has some work to do to become an international soccer powerhouse. This tournament is like a dress rehearsal for the World Cup because it gives them a chance to play against some great competition a year before the world’s biggest sporting event.
