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Twenty years ago, American courses dominated the speed game. Meanwhile, European venues kept their greens slower and more forgiving. Most European players rarely experienced lightning-fast putting surfaces. However, the golf world has undergone a complete transformation since those days. European players now compete regularly on American soil. Additionally, the DP World Tour has revolutionized its course conditions to match American standards. Billy Horschel realized this about the Ryder Cup.

“Been watching the coverage of the Ryder Cup the last couple of days, and the old adage of faster green speeds is an advantage for the Americans does my head in,” Horschel wrote on X. “Yes, back 20+ years ago it was, but nowadays with the majority of European players in American and many more tournaments on @DPWorldTour playing at better courses with faster greens, that old adage doesn’t hold any water anymore.”

For over two decades, American golf fans have clung to a comforting advantage that supposedly gave Team USA the upper hand in golf’s biggest team competition—but one PGA Tour veteran just shattered that illusion. With his remark, Horschel fired back at golf’s most persistent myth: faster green speeds favor American players in Ryder Cup competition.

Today’s DP World Tour venues routinely target green speeds of 11-13 feet. These speeds match what players face at American major championships. Furthermore, modern European courses use the same grass types as their American counterparts. The technological revolution has eliminated the maintenance disparities that once created meaningful differences.

Horschel brings unique credibility to this argument. As the only American regularly competing on the DP World Tour with 20-plus events annually, he experiences both tour conditions firsthand. His victories at the BMW PGA Championship in 2021 and 2024 demonstrate that he has a deep understanding of European golf.

“I’m not afraid of the moment,” Horschel declared confidently when discussing his Ryder Cup aspirations earlier this year. His perspective carries weight because he has witnessed the evolution of both tours firsthand.

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Globalized golf eliminates traditional advantages

The most compelling evidence against the green speed myth comes from European success stories. Rory McIlroy has captured four major championships, mostly on American soil. Jon Rahm claimed his Masters victory while dominating fast Augusta National greens.

All twelve members of Europe’s current Ryder Cup team competed on the PGA Tour during the 2025 season. Eight possess previous Ryder Cup experience. These players have entirely adapted to American conditions. Cross-tour movement now defines modern professional golf. European stars regularly test themselves against American setups. Simultaneously, course maintenance has become standardized worldwide through the use of shared technology and best practices.

Equipment standardization further reduces regional advantages. Modern golf balls and clubs perform identically regardless of continent. The R&A and USGA coordinate regulations to ensure consistent performance standards globally.

Contemporary Ryder Cup strategy emphasizes team chemistry over course manipulation. Recent captain strategies emphasize player compatibility and psychological preparation. The 2018 European victory in France highlighted thick, rough, and narrow fairways instead of green speed considerations.

Modern tournament directors prioritize fair, challenging conditions over gamesmanship. This shift toward sporting integrity has rendered traditional advantage-seeking strategies largely obsolete.

Environmental regulations accelerate this convergence. European courses face similar sustainability mandates as American venues. Economic globalization creates international markets for identical supplies and expertise.

Horschel’s challenge reflects the truly globalized nature of golf. The myth persists essentially because golf holds such reverence for tradition. Modern European players excel in all conditions, while European venues closely match American standards. “Can’t wait to watch this week, though. As I’ve said, this could possibly be the best Ryder Cup in history to date,” Horschel concluded, recognizing that today’s competition transcends outdated technical considerations.