The golfing world stood and watched as the USA and Europe renewed their fierce rivalry at the Ryder Cup, where the latter claimed the bragging rights in dramatic fashion.
European star Rory McIlroy has poked fun at the USA in the aftermath of the event, which his side won 15-13 at Bethpage Black.
He played a crucial role as the Europeans battled their American counterparts and the boisterous Bethpage Black crowd, which at times threatened to overshadow the action on the course.
The fans have come under fire, while American captain Keegan Bradley has drawn criticism as well after failing to win the Ryder Cup on home soil.
Hindsight is certainly working against the skipper, with Bradley left with a feeling of regret after a disappointing defeat.
Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed can make big statement after USA lose the Ryder Cup
From his course setup to pairings, criticism has been aplenty, while his captain’s picks are also being brought back into the analysis.
LIV Golf duo Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed were among those missing out in that regard, having been deemed unworthy of a captain’s pick for the USA team.
READ MORE: LIV Golfer already publicly asks Phil Mickelson if he wants to be US captain for the next Ryder Cup
Whether the major champions would have made a difference to the end result or not will never be known, but one certainty is that they now have a chance to make a big statement after being snubbed.
Koepka and Reed are both in the field for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, which takes place this week at the Old Course at St Andrews.
Strong displays from the pair at the DP World Tour event would send a real message to Bradley, although he may not be paying much attention at all after a hugely demanding week in New York, which ultimately ended in heartbreak.
European Ryder Cup players can inflict further pain on Americans at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship
Koepka loves playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, where his compatriots Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson will also be involved.
And he’ll be desperate for a strong week at St Andrews, with Koepka currently regaining his form after his struggles earlier this season.
But unfortunately for him and Reed, there is every chance that Americans lose out to Europeans once more this week, particularly if recent history is anything to go by.
Despite having just played the Ryder Cup, Bethpage Black heroes Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Robert MacIntyre are all in the stacked field.
Hatton won the tournament for a record third time last year, while Ryder Cup superstar Fitzpatrick triumphed the year before.
Despite their superb success in New York, however, that European contingent may open the door for Koepka and Reed after their epic Ryder Cup celebrations.
That may leave them all feeling a little worse for wear, although those celebrations can continue should another European winner emerge this time around.
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