From Nationalclubgolfer · Matt Chivers · · 1m 50s
Why America Gets Team Match Play Wrong
Team GB&I and Europe dominate match play golf as US loses all major trophies.
In brief
Team GB&I and Europe dominate match play golf as US loses all major trophies. Team GB&I and Europe won the 2026 PGA Cup and Solheim Cup, while the US lost the Walker Cup and Ryder Cup. Originally reported by Nationalclubgolfer.
US loses PGA Cup
Team GB&I beat America 7-0 in the 2026 PGA Cup at The K Club.
“Team GB&I celebrates following Sunday’s play at the 2026 PGA Cup at The K Club”
GB&I sets record
GB&I scored their record 16.5 points in the PGA Cup.
“Having won three years in a row, GB&I stopped the rot with a resounding seven-point victory”
US trophyless
America lost the Solheim Cup and Walker Cup, leaving them trophyless in match play.
“Toby Hunt secured the points needed on the South course to inflict yet another defeat for America”
Europe wins Solheim Cup
Team Europe won the 2026 Solheim Cup with Lottie Woad securing the final point.
“Debutant Lottie Woad secured the point Europe needed for victory”
Europe’s match play success
Europe won the Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf just one week after GB&I won the Walker Cup.
“Europe won at a drizzly Bernardus just a week after GB&I made history by winning the Walker Cup”
US Walker Cup loss
Team USA lost the 2026 Walker Cup to GB&I after a dramatic singles match.
“GB&I won six matches, with Stuart Grehan taking down World No.1 amateur Preston Stout”
Walker Cup learning
GB&I captain Dean Robertson said the team’s strength and depth helped them win the Walker Cup.
“I am absolutely amazed by the quality of the team I have had this week”
US Solheim Cup trend
Team USA hasn’t won a Solheim Cup singles session since 2015.
“They haven’t won a singles session since 2015, and in that time, they have won two of six Solheim Cups”
US Ryder Cup issues
Team USA lost the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park Golf Course.
“Team Europe hold the Ryder Cup trophy at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course”
Ryder Cup captaincy
US captain Zach Johnson faced selection chaos before leading the team.
“Bradley’s rejection call from captain Zach Johnson was shown on the Netflix show Full Swing”
European captaincy
European captain Luke Donald led the team to victory in 2023 and 2025.
“Donald was made European captain in 2023 when Henrik Stenson was removed for joining LIV Golf”
US team dynamics
Team USA has won three Ryder Cups since 2002 but lost the last three.
“Team USA has won three Ryder Cups since 2002. In that time, Europe has also won away from home three times”
US pay controversy
Team USA faced pay-for-play controversy in 2023 Ryder Cup.
“Patrick Cantlay was said to have been ringleading the campaign for US players to be compensated for their efforts”
What’s next
Team USA may regain Ryder Cup victory at Bandon Dunes in 2028.
“They will likely be favourites to regain it at Bandon Dunes in 2028”
The essence
Team GB&I and Europe won the 2026 PGA Cup and Solheim Cup, while the US lost the Walker Cup and Ryder Cup.
