Cracking the Code is the story of the 2008 Ryder Cup and the strategies USA Captain Paul Azinger used to end a 3 Cup losing streak for the Americans. The memories from this competition are etched in my mind. Having transitioned unfathomably from gaping favorites to mere underdogs in the course of ten years, the American had been bludgeoned for three straight Ryder Cup's, suffering from poor play and an obvious lack of camaraderie despite what on paper was a stronger team.
The fruits of Paul Azinger's labors were evident from the start. His "pods" came out loose and played up to their potentials. The Kentucky crowd latched on to their southern favorites Kenny Perry, J.B. Holmes and especially Boo Weekley, and transformed all of Valhalla into the TPC Stadium Course in Arizona. Simply put, the entire course was a red, white and blue zoo. When a swashbuckling Anthony Kim dominated previously unbeatable Sergio Garcia in the opening match, the tone was set. Kim's cocky attitude, overt displays of confidence, brash catering to the USA crowd that responded with Richter-scale cheers and pin-hunting shots not only infuriated and buried Garcia, but the entire European squad as well. When Boo Weekley put his driver between his legs and bull-danced off the first tee, it was clear that it was USA's week.
