In contrast, Ray’s information knowledgeable Lewis’ partnerships that helped the US take what proved a decisive 6-2 lead on Friday.
“He is been an enormous asset for the final two and a half years, from all of the telephone calls to the random texts,” Lewis stated of her statistical ally.
“I had somewhat freak-out second final week. I used to be making an attempt to determine pairings and I could not get it executed and we did a name and he bought me again on observe.
“He is been an amazing buddy, and he loves his stats. However he loves golf, and he loves watching this workforce compete.”
Lewis won’t disclose the secrets and techniques unearthed by such detailed evaluation however did affirm they considerably shifted her strategy. “We have all the time tried to play all of our gamers in fourballs,” she stated.
“So we did some analysis, and the final 5 profitable Ryder Cup groups did not play all of their gamers in fourball. We have executed that previously to get everyone prepared for singles.”
This coverage was ditched in Virginia. “This yr I stated I’ll put out the very best pairings I can for each session, and if it would not get everyone in fourballs, then it would not get everyone in fourballs,” Lewis stated.
“That was one thing I discovered final time that we’re most likely going to maintain doing going ahead.”
Final time was solely 12 months in the past, when Pettersen’s Europeans spiritedly got here from 4-0 down within the foursomes (one other instance of being out-thought) to drive a 14-14 tie.
It saved the trophy in continental palms for a 3rd time and meant the US had been determined for fulfillment final week. That state of affairs might have introduced stress and anxiousness, probably undermining their golf.
However Lewis’ calm, knowledgeable management fostered nice spirit. The often reserved world primary Nelly Korda was a revelation, skipping joyfully onto the primary tee after pumping out loud music on the US workforce bus.
“This was most likely probably the most enjoyable I’ve had on a golf course ever,” stated the 26-year-old Floridian. “Simply the workforce, the workforce surroundings, the caddies, everybody getting alongside, the followers.
“Everybody was so unbelievable. All of us vibed rather well off of one another. That is most likely probably the most I’ve laughed and probably the most I’ve fist pumped ever on a golf course.”
Lewis might solely approve. “They wanted to have enjoyable they usually wanted to take pleasure in this,” she acknowledged. “In addition they wanted to play good golf.
“I feel there was plenty of stress of making an attempt to play good golf and never having fun with it within the course of.
“This workforce loved this week greater than the golf itself. They’d a lot enjoyable collectively.
“They picked one another up once they wanted it.”
These are traits which have for therefore lengthy been the protect of Europe in these biennial jousts – each for the ladies in Solheim and the lads within the Ryder Cup.
Lewis got here up with an strategy and technique that confirmed that she, at the very least, is an American who now comprehends the true dynamics that yield success in these matches.