U.S. must rediscover spirit of 2008 to stop Ryder Cup rot

Members of the U.S. Team (L-R) Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Jordan Speith, Webb Simpson, Jimmy Walker and Bubba Watson stand as they listen to their national anthem during the opening ceremony of the 40th Ryder Cup, at Gleneagles in Scotland September 25, 2014. REUTERS/Toby Melville

GLENEAGLES Scotland (Reuters) - Every two years a small group of wonderfully talented, hugely successful American millionaire golfers have to line up like schoolboys to explain why they are no good and why they don't get on as well as their European counterparts.

That has been the scenario after eight of the last 10 Ryder Cups but, despite the myriad inquests, they seem no nearer understanding the reasons than 20 years ago when none of the current group were even involved.