Ryder Cup ring: What is it? Why are USA wearing rings? Bubba Watson and fan reaction
THE RYDER CUP gets underway this week and for members of the USA Team the prestige doesn’t stop at being selected to compete.
Twelve players from the US will face Europe in France over the coming days in the biggest team competition in golf.
Being selected to represent the US or Europe is seen as one of the biggest accolades a golfer can receive.
But for the Americans the chance to compete in the Ryder Cup comes with the additional prize of receiving a Ryder Cup ring!
Just like in most American sports, rings are given out to the victors of championships such as the NBA or NFL.
Ryder Cup ring
Team USA have not won the Ryder Cup - yet - but their rings have already been produced.
Bubba Watson tweeted out an image of his ring, a square ruby with gold lettering of ‘WATSON’ and ‘RYDER CUP TEAM’ round the outside.
He wrote: "Always an honor to receive the @rydercup Ring!! #TeamUSA #GoUSA #SoBlessed"
The ring appears to have been made by a US jewellers that specialises in commemorative rings. They also produced the 2014 rings.
Twitter reaction
The rings have certainly split fans on Twitter, with many European golf supporters mocking the item, branding it garish.
“And with one tweet Bubba shows the massive cultural divide between @RyderCupUSA and @RyderCupEurope,” one fan wrote.
Another said: “Have you been to Blackpool on a hen do or something?”
“God that is AWFUL,” wrote another.
And a fourth said: “Pretty naff however just think what DeChambeau's ring looks like! Hope he's got big fingers”
But other fans were delighted with the design.
“Where have I been I never knew you received a ring when making the ryder cup. So Phil had more rings than he has fingers? How awesome is that. Go get em golf boys,” one fan put.
Another said: “I didn't know these existed. Very cool!”
And a third put: “well deserved, do us well!”