Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Rickie Fowler of the United States and J.B. Holmes of the United States celebrates with the Ryder Cup during the closing ceremonies after the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
With the 2016 Ryder Cup finally behind us, let’s evaluate the American players’ performances.
After months and months of buildup, the 2016 Ryder Cup is finally in the rearview mirror. But that doesn’t mean we’re done talking about the big event — far from it, in fact. We’ve got a week of analysis set to go online over the next few days, and that includes my Ryder Cup report cards.
While the dust has yet to really settle, we can still evaluate how each player performed at Hazeltine National. However, answering questions about the effectiveness of the American task force and what these matches mean for the future of the event may take more time.
For now, though, let’s get into my Ryder Cup report card for Team USA. These marks will be based mostly on individual performance, so those who struggled in the first four sessions won’t be able to hide behind their partners. Other factors like intangibles and expectations will also play a role in determining these grades.
Without further ado, let’s dive right in. The write-ups have been alphabetized by player name.
Oct 1, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Rickie Fowler of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the fourth hole during the morning foursome matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Rickie Fowler — B
Record: 2-1-0
After going winless in his first two Ryder Cup appearances, Fowler came out on top in two matches this week, including a nail-biter against Justin Rose on Sunday. He didn’t flash too much form until that final match, but the results speak for themselves. He more than validated his inclusion as a captain’s pick.
Oct 1, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; J.B. Holmes of the United States reacts after his shot on the 16th hole during the afternoon four-ball matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
J.B. Holmes — C+
Record: 1-2-0
This Kentuckian made seven birdies alongside Ryan Moore in a Saturday afternoon four-ball match against Lee Westwood and Danny Willett, but everything else was a struggle. Holmes wasn’t up to the task of taking on Thomas Pieters in singles, and he and Moore never really had a chance against Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera-Bello on Friday.
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Dustin Johnson of the United States lines up a putt on the first green during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dustin Johnson — C+
Record: 2-2-0
It’s hard to criticize any player who wins two matches, but expectations were high for this world No. 2. Playing in three of the first four sessions, he ran into Thomas Pieters every time and only won one of the showdowns, as he and Matt Kuchar steamrolled on Friday morning. He did pick up a singles win against Chris Wood, but all things considered, Johnson probably didn’t beat up on the European rookies quite as much as he should have.
Oct 1, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Zach Johnson of the United States reacts to a putt on the seventh green during the morning foursome matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Zach Johnson — B
Record: 2-1-0
His last top 25 came more than two months ago at Royal Troon, so Johnson winning two matches was a huge bonus for Team USA. True, he faced a weak Matthew Fitzpatrick in a pressure-free Sunday singles match, but his alternate shot win with Jimmy Walker over Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer on Friday morning was legitimately impressive.
Oct 1, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Brooks Koepka of the United States lines up a putt on the seventh green during the morning foursome matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Brooks Koepka — A
Record: 3-1-0
One of just two Ryder Cup rookies on Team USA, Koepka ended the week as one of the top scorers for the stars and stripes. Brandt Snedeker proved to be an ideal playing partner, teaming up with the young Florida native to win a pair of matches in the team sessions. Koepka saved his best for Sunday, however, catching fire around the turn to trounce Danny Willett 5 & 4. One of the great rookie performances in recent memory.
Sep 30, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Matt Kuchar of the United States plays his shot from the third tee in the afternoon four-ball matches during the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Kuchar — B-
Record: 2-2-0
This Georgia Tech product may have won two matches, but he was mostly carried by partners Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson. Still, he was a steady presence in the team room and easy to pair in team play, and his singles loss to a struggling Martin Kaymer in the final match of the week doesn’t count for much.
Oct 1, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Phil Mickelson of the United States putts on the 17th green during the afternoon four-ball matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Phil Mickelson — A
Record: 2-1-1
One of the most vocal critics of the Team USA leadership after losing the Cup in 2014, Mickelson was under immense pressure to perform this week. Luckily for the home crowd, Lefty rose to the occasion — he picked up team wins with Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar before going the distance with Sergio Garcia to secure a hard-fought half-point on Sunday. By all accounts, he was also the leader in the team room. Can’t ask for much more from the 46-year-old.
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Ryan Moore of the United States chips on the ninth hole during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Moore — B+
Record: 2-1-0
He wasn’t the strongest link on a rock-solid Team USA, but Moore still managed to make his mark by securing the winning putt on the 18th green. True, Lee Westwood’s sloppy play handed him the match, and yes, playing partner J.B. Holmes’ onslaught of birdies was the main reason for his four-ball win on Saturday. It doesn’t matter. Moore went from outside the Tour Championship bubble to the deciding match at Hazeltine in less than a month, and for that, he earns a high mark.
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Patrick Reed of the United States reacts to a putt on the eighth green during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Reed — A++
Record: 3-1-1
What else is there to say? Reed played with his heart on his sleeve, and with three wins on the week, including an instant classic against Rory McIlroy in Sunday singles, he demonstrated enough good play to back it up. Not even a four-ball loss to Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson can deprive him of a spot at the top of the class.
Oct 1, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Brandt Snedeker of the United States celebrates on the on the 16th green during the morning foursome matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Brandt Snedeker — A
Record: 3-0-0
While he didn’t play as much as some of his teammates, Snedeker took full advantage of his opportunities. He posted an undefeated record, shepherding Ryder Cup rookie Brooks Koepka to victory in their first two matches and winning a crucial 14th point for Team USA in Sunday singles along the way. It’s not his fault that Love kept him on the bench on Saturday afternoon.
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Jordan Spieth of the United States reacts to a putt on the second green during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Spieth — C+
Record: 2-2-1
This Texan posted a decent record this week, but he also had the good fortune of playing with Patrick Reed in the first four sessions. Playing without his A-game, Spieth ended up riding Reed’s coattails for much of the week and lost an early Sunday singles match to a spotty Henrik Stenson. He could and should have done better, but he didn’t need to.
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Jimmy Walker of the United States misses a putt on the first green during the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Walker — C-
Record: 1-2-0
The reigning PGA Champion never really got it going at Hazeltine. His alternate shot win with Zach Johnson over Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer was notable, but he lost his remaining matches, including a Sunday single to Rafa Cabrera-Bello.
Oct 2, 2016; Chaska, MN, USA; Team USA captain Davis Love III poses with the Ryder Cup during the closing ceremonies after the single matches in 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Captain Davis Love III — A-
Making the best of a great hand is a pretty good way to earn high praise as a Ryder Cup captain. At the helm for the second time in his career, Love certainly wasn’t planning on pulling off a 4-0 sweep on Friday morning, yet throughout the week, Love listened to his players, spaced out his talent appropriately and gave every one of his team members a chance to succeed before Sunday rolled around. He gets half a point off for some slightly questionable decisions (benching Brandt Snedeker on Saturday afternoon?), but all in all, a job well done.
How would you grade the Team USA golfers? Let us know in the comments, and keep it here at Pro Golf Now for more updates from the world of golf.
More from Pro Golf Now
This article originally appeared on 
