The Europeans have revenge on their minds, particularly contemplating how the People trounced them in file trend on the 2021 Ryder Cup.

The U.S., with its youngest group ever, received 19-to-9, marking the biggest margin of victory in fashionable Ryder Cup historical past. By fashionable, we imply since 1979, when gamers from all of continental Europe have been allowed to play within the Ryder Cup for the primary time. Earlier than that, solely these from the British Isles may compete.

Irishman Padraig Harrington is aware of all about that landslide victory, contemplating he captained the European aspect in 2021.

So virtually two years later, whereas chatting with the media forward of this week’s Horizon Irish Open, Harrington despatched a startling message to the People in regards to the group the Europeans will roll out in Rome.

“I believe Europe could be very sturdy this yr. I believe we’re again,” Harrington mentioned. “I imagine we’re again to the Nineteen Eighties, the place our high gamers are literally the very best gamers on this planet. So I believe the group could be very sturdy. I believe they’re very a lot in kind.”

Captain Padraig Harrington.

Picture by Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs

From 1985 to 1989, the Europeans dominated.

They received in 1985 and 1987 and retained the cup in 1989 after each side tied at The Belfry in England. Their victory in 1987 marked Europe’s first victory on American soil, which was at Jack’s place—Muirfield Village in Ohio.

Throughout that span, Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, Englishman Nick Faldo, and German Bernhard Langer have been thought to be the three finest gamers on this planet. Others comparable to Sam Torrance, Sandy Lyle, and Ian Woosnam helped Europe overpower these competitions too.

However practically 4 many years later, related sentiments will be mentioned about Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Viktor Hovland, who will lead the European cost in Italy later this month.

“I believe we simply caught it on our turndown, their upturn,” Harrington mentioned of the 2021 Ryder Cup, which marked Hovland’s debut within the competitors.

“That one additional yr of COVID, our group went from peaking to barely off and by no means may come again. I mentioned in quite a few interviews, that many of those gamers are going to go on to play their finest golf going ahead, they usually have. You take a look at Tommy Fleetwood’s taking part in, you take a look at Matt [Fitzpatrick] received a serious, you take a look at Tyrrell Hatton taking part in nice, Viktor Hovland.”

Certainly, Fleetwood and Hatton have had masterful years, and Fitzpatrick received the 2022 U.S. Open by a stroke over Will Zalatoris.

McIlroy and Rahm clearly have six mixed majors.

Viktor Hovland received the 2023 FedEx Cup.

Picture by Jason Allen/ISI Photographs/Getty Photographs

After which there may be Hovland, the most popular participant on the planet after his performances within the FedEx Cup playoffs.

“Europe has gotten lots stronger in these final two years,” Harrington added. “As for the U.S. — I don’t need to say that they’re weakening in any form or kind, however definitely there’s plenty of gamers that have been at their peak at that second.”

In an attention-grabbing coincidence, Harrington made these remarks at The Ok Membership, the location of the 2006 Ryder Cup.

The Europeans dominated the People that week, 18.5-to-9.5, which marked a 3rd straight victory for Europe. The 2004 Ryder Cup, held at Oakland Hills in Michigan, had that very same remaining rating.

Harrington remembers these occasions vividly, and he feels that Europe can get again there with the younger and proficient gamers that they’ve.

And since he made these feedback on hallowed floor for the Europeans, maybe his prophecy will show true, which is able to spell hassle for the pink, white, and blue for years to return.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You may observe him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.