The Cup They Couldn't Lose

America, the Ryder Cup, and the Long Road to Whistling Straits

By: Shane Ryan

Narrated by: Shane Ryan

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive story of the Ryder Cup—the event that pits the best golfers from America against the best from Europe—exploring the modern history of the tournament that led to the showdown at Whistling Straits in 2021.

The task facing Steve Stricker at the 2021 Ryder Cup was enormous. It was his job, as the American captain, to stare down almost 40 years of Ryder Cup history, break a pattern of home losses that had persisted almost as long, and reverse the tide of European dominance in one of golf's most tense and emotional events. This was the epitome of a must-win, but it was also something more—in the entire 93-year history of the event, no American side had ever faced this kind of pressure. Starting on the morning of September 24, those 12 players competed not just for a Cup, or for pride, but to save the reputation of the U.S. team itself.

The great mystery of the Ryder Cup is that America loses despite having superior individual talent. The European renaissance began in the 1980s, led by the brilliant Tony Jacklin and Seve Ballesteros, and since then, the U.S. has suffered a slew of embarrassing defeats abroad and at home. The signs in 2021 weren’t good: Tiger Woods was out after his horrific car crash, Patrick Reed (“Captain America,” to his supporters) was hospitalized with double pneumonia weeks before the event, and America had to rely on its rising stars—including Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka, who spent most of the year immersed in an escalating feud—to prove their mettle. Meanwhile, the European team had a few major stars of its own, like Jon Rahm, the world no. 1 and the first Spanish player ever to win the U.S. Open, and Rory McIlroy, the four-time major winner. Throw in the complications of a global pandemic, and the stage was set for one of the strangest Ryder Cups ever.

Following the drama in Wisconsin while deconstructing the rich history of the tournament, The Cup They Couldn't Lose tells the story of how the U.S. defeated Europe in record fashion, restored their status as golf’s global superpower, and transformed their entire way of thinking in order to truly understand the nature of the Ryder Cup.

©2022 Shane Ryan (P)2022 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

“Shane Ryan has done a masterful job of capturing the build-up to the 2021 Ryder Cup. This fast-paced narrative moves fluidly from past to present while documenting the actions of the Ryder Cup greats that made it into the marquee event it is today. The Cup They Couldn’t Lose reveals lots of inside-the-ropes information from the folks who were there. Players opened up to Ryan. He was able to get former players and captains to share their feelings, emotions, and strategies about this incredible event. I’m picky about Ryder Cup books, but I couldn’t put this one down.”—Paul Azinger, victorious 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, 1993 PGA Champion, NBC lead golf analyst, and author of Cracking the Code: The Winning Ryder Cup Strategy

“Shane Ryan tells great stories that are incredibly well-researched, and his understanding of golf and Ryder Cup history stands out. As a Ryder Cup fan, I felt inspired, educated, and energized by this book—I’m betting you will, too.”—Paul McGinley, victorious 2014 European Ryder Cup Captain, member of three Ryder Cup-winning European Teams, Sky Sports commentator, and author of Landscape of Success

Excellent for golf fans

Well done and gives insight on many things not known in the world of professional golf

a must if you are interested in golf history

well researched. writing style easy to listen. important facts expertly mixed with stories and interviews. if you have even a passing interest in golf history and/or the Ryder Cup then this needs to be in your library.

Entertaining and informative

Just like Shane’s podcasts it’s broken up to little bits as to not be bored by any one subject or topic. A great review of the year and the history of the cup.

Great Read, Compelling!

A must read for not only golf enthusiasts but anyone who believes in the power teams.

Must read.

Phenomenal book. Definitely in my top 5 golf books all time. Do yourself a favor and read it.

Awesome Story

Holy hell it was tough to listen to…narrator was so dadgum choppy with his reading, it kind of killed some of the magic.

Extremely well-written and delivered.

Found it to be an enjoyable and hard to put down read. Something about the Ryder Cup captures the mind in a way all its own.

Great book

This is a great book. I have limited interest in golf and this book brought golf to life. For the first time in my life I can not wait to the next rider cup.

Very good listen

Great history lesson and insight. I learned things I didn’t know I wanted to know.