Bernd Wiesberger / Image: APA / AFP / GLYN KIRK
Surrey / Vienna. It was a nerve-wracking showdown in which Bernd Wiesberger made a piece of red-white-red golf history official on Sunday. The Burgenlander took advantage of the last chance to qualify for the Ryder Cup with the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club and secured a place in Team Europe as a tied 20th with a total score of 277 strokes (eleven under par). From September 24th, the Burgenlander will compete in Whistling Straits with stars like Jon Rahm (ESP) or Rory McIlroy (NIR) to defend his title in a duel with the US golfers.
Wiesberger is the first Austrian to step onto one of the most radiant golf stages that has seen greats like Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Seve Ballesteros and Tiger Woods. The 35-year-old is part of an illustrious circle of so far 156 professionals who have formed the European selections over the course of the 94-year history of the venerable duel (188 on the US side).
The battle for the last European Ryder Cup places in West London turned into a battle of nerves. Europe's captain Padraig Harrington, who himself missed the cut between sponsorship and media appointments, spoke of a real endurance test. The pressure is unlikely to have left Wiesberger without a trace. On the first two days he played a mixed front nine, and on Friday after ten holes he would even have been over the cut and thus out of the race. The fact that he was able to improve both times shows his nerves. Doubts arose on social media after he last forgiven the victory he believed to be safe on the last hole in Switzerland.
After Wiesberger had moved up to seventh place on Moving Day, things got tight again on the final lap. After the bogey start on the previous three days, this time he immediately noted a birdie. But on holes four and seven there were punch losses, which were all the more bitter when pursuer Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) presented with a round of 68. Two birdies on lanes twelve and 13 calmed down, but only until 17, where another bogey followed. In the end, however, it was the par round that sealed the ticket to Whistling Straits.
The victory went to the US American Billy Horschel (19 under par), who will, however, be absent from the Ryder Cup. Matthias Schwab climbed to 67 after three rounds of 69 on the final day and finished twelfth with a total score of 174 strokes (14 under par).
A cauldron is waiting
The Ryder Cup is the largest golf party in the world, to which an Austrian is invited for the first time. As a TV expert, Wiesberger got up close and personal with Europe's victory in Paris in 2018, what was waiting for him at the 43rd edition. On the three days of the match, the rules of conduct of “gentleman sport” are traditionally suspended, instead of elegant restraint, loud cheers and teasing chants are on the agenda. For the 35-year-old and colleague, the atmosphere will be a little crispier this year than usual at the US guest performances, because fans from Europe are still not allowed to enter the States.
How well is Wiesberger prepared for such a cauldron? Austria's number one has the experience of 28 major participations and eight victories on the European Tour, but what that is worth would only become apparent on site. “You can add up the pressure that is on you when you tee off on the four majors and then simply double it again,” Ian Poulter once described his premiere. “If you don't shake your knees at the debut, you're dead,” said the Spaniard José María Olazábal.
Above all, it is a challenge that Wiesberger does not face alone, unlike otherwise. In addition to singles on the final day, there are also duels on the program, which is why his qualities as a team player will also be in demand. It is the attraction of the Ryder Cup that the often robotic and cool-looking stars become a conspiratorial unit. Emotions on the green are practically a must: No stroke without a cheer, clap or pat on the back.
Arguing in the US team
While the last European starters around Wiesberger can only now get in the mood for the Ryder Cup after grueling days, Team USA quietly observed the last form test of the rivals from a distance. US captain Steve Stricker had already completed his line-up with six wildcards on Wednesday and has since been allowed to think about the line-up. He has eight of the top ten in the world in his team, making the Americans the clear favorites in the prestigious duel.
However, harmony and mood could become a sticking point in the US team. With Brooks Koepka and debutant Bryson DeChambeau, two members have publicly given Ezzes in recent months. This went so far that the latter recently broke the collar in view of the malicious “Brooksie” shouts of the fans (Koepka had offered free beer for this), the PGA tour subsequently banned the chants. The Ryder Cup will now show how deep the rivalry between the two really goes, or whether it is, as is also rumored, just a clever PR coup. The fact that the ego of a Tiger Woods ultimately has to subordinate itself is precisely what makes the Ryder Cup so fascinating. It's not even about prize money (how your own market value increases with each participation), but purely about the honor. One that is now also given to an Austrian.
