Was the U.S. team more prepared?

LONDON, England (CNN) -- In the aftermath of the U.S.'s emphatic Ryder Cup victory in Valhalla, a lot of people are left asking how the Americans managed to stop the Europeans from making it four straight wins, especially since Tiger Woods was out injured.

Though the European press has come out attacking their own team captain, Nick Faldo, for failing to inspire the team enough, the majority of opinion seems to rest on the simple fact that the U.S. team outplayed the defending champions.

Even lacking Tiger Woods didn't slow the Americans down, and rather than the Ryder Cup rookies -- who made up half of the 12-man team -- cracking under the pressure, they thrived and gave their all to secure a win. So what changed?

One player who has plenty of Ryder Cup experience is Darren Clarke, and he has his own theory on how the Americans were able to bring their best game to the competition: "Going into the Ryder Cup they were much more ready."

Clarke points out a key difference with the build-up to the competition this time around, namely a recent addition to the tour schedule -- in the form of the FedEx Cup.

"This year with what they've had with the FedEx Cup, where they've had to continue to play, they have had more competitive golf than in previous years in the Ryder Cup," Clarke said.

Speaking at Living Golf's "Big Debate" golf forum this week he suggested the build up to the Ryder Cup has seen a significant change thanks to the season-long points competition, which was introduced in 2007.

"Most of the American players [used to] finish after the U.S. PGA Championship. This time they had competitive golf for an extra three weeks," he went on. "It was the first time the Americans had done it, and that showed through."

In the past the U.S. team have taken the opportunity, while out of competition in the lead-up to the Ryder Cup, to practice; and though it may seem like a sensible idea, in the three meetings prior to the introduction of the FedEx Cup the team went away empty handed.

So, despite the lack of time to focus solely on the Ryder Cup, the team have seemed to benefit from getting out on the course as often as possible. As Clarke points out "you can practice all you want, but playing tournament golf is the only way to get ready."

And he points out that the culture of the tour is changing, as these lengthy, points-based competitions start to gain prominence in the golf calendar.

Talking about the headline-grabbing, big budget Race to Dubai he says "I think our road to Dubai is leading us into playing a lot as well. This is a whole new concept and guys want to be a part of it."

As spectators, then, if we go along with what Clarke says, we can look forward to plenty more exciting Ryder Cups in the future, where players arrive still fired up from their season, and bringing their highest standard golf to the course. And if that's true, then roll on Wales 2010.

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