2012 Ryder Cup

[RoverRick]

Ok, the Tour Championship is over. The course is ready. The players are choosen. And now it is time for the Ryder Cup to begin. Let's pump it up here.

 

First off, let us all acknowledge how great DL3's captain's pick were. And look at how they did in the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs.

 

Brandt Snedeker 1 st Place

Nick Watney 4th Place

Dustin Johnson 8th Place

Jim Furyk 15th Place

Hunter Mahan 19th Place

Steve Stricker 20th Place

Rickie Fowler 28th Place

 

Steve Stricker was not picked because he was hot. He was picked because, well, the number one player on DL3's team wanted him as a partner.

Nick Watney won the Barclays but not much else.

Dustin Johnson was picked because he has played well for a couple of years not just recently and hit the long ball.

Jim Furyk has shown some great rounds and has blown a couple of holes to keep him from the win. in match play that is just a hole not the round. He finished 7th this week and 9 two weeks ago and t13 the week before that.

Hunter Mahan has had a pretty good year but it has simply not been good enough.

Rickie Fowler is a media creation. A great young player but not as good as the media would like him to be.

 

 

All in all, DL3 did an excellent job with his captain's picks. They are certainly the hotest players.

 

 

Now, on to why the US will win.

[GolfSpy WD]

Most importantly, does anyone have links to Ryder Cup related contests?

[Aotearoa_Brad]

Not Ryder Cup related, but still definitely worth an entry if you're keen for a trip to Hawaii for the Hyundai Tournament of ChampionsMy link

[BK in TEXAS]

Snedeker look great. I thought he might be done after that water ball, but he pulled it together nicely and finished strong.

[revkev]

I think the US wins because it's got the home course advantage plain and simple - the teams are very evenly matched but DL3 has a course that is pure traditional American - not a European links style wanna be (I have no problem with those courses but in this event you want every advantage you can get.)

 

Our team fits the course nicely and several of our players are playing very well at this point. Can't wait - let's get it started.

[Super Tuna]

the teams are very evenly matched but DL3 has a course that is pure traditional American - not a European links style wanna be

 

What does that have to do with the price of tea and crumpets? All the European guys are more use to Amercian golf then links golf, except maybe Coleserts, and frankly as the longest hitter of everyone he shouldn't have a problem at Medinah.

 

I expect a big sea saw. Euro's are going to win big early with the matchings as they team up better. American's are going to tune them in the singles. It's going to be an exciting event. Can the Euro's get enough points early and hold off the US in a single match or two? Should be a fun watch.

 

Not really sure which way I'm leaning here.

[RoverRick]

What does that have to do with the price of tea and crumpets? All the European guys are more use to Amercian golf then links golf, except maybe Coleserts, and frankly as the longest hitter of everyone he shouldn't have a problem at Medinah.

 

 

It is sort of funny, when the US Team goes to Europe the go over and on the same plane, there is huge fanfare and the First Secretary of the country is there to meet the plane. When the Euros come here the arrive in a mini van and only three members of the team are there and the club secretary was out to lunch.

 

7 of the 12 Euros played Sunday and live here. Heck, Luke Donald can go home for lunch between matches. I am not sure if it gives the US an advantage but I would say that with high rough is to US disadvantage. I would say that 9 or so of the Euros are know from being straighter rather than longer, while 6 or more of the US team is known for being longer rather than straight.

 

But it is great.

[Aotearoa_Brad]

As an 'outsider looking in' the Ryder Cup presents as a fascinating spectacle for me. It's not just the match-play nature of it, but also the team match-play aspect that I think makes for great viewing. It is one thing playing for yourself, but you can't tell me that the 'team' nature of it doesn't add a little more pressure.

 

One of the things for me that make it really interesting is the attitude that certain players take into a match, or change between during the match:

• I have a chance to win big for my team / country
  
• Shoots, I just don't want to make a mistake - hopefully the other guy will
  

 

Its certainly interesting to watch how people flick between the two, and when bravado gives way to cautious play. I think it is a testament to how much of a mental game golf is, and especially within the history and importance of the Ryder Cup.

 

...clearly, I can't wait...

[westy]

Well from a European perspective we always seem to get caught up in discussions about the crowds when we play in the states. I'd guess a lot of that stems from Kiawah island and Brookline and some of the treatment of Monty over the years (mind you he brought a lot of it on himself!).

Thehome crowd is a huge advantage in my opinion, I was at Celtic manor all 4 days last time round ( a course which was pretty open, long and bar the awful rain not that tricky - certainly wouldn't haven't favoured one team I don't think) and you could see the impact on the Europeans of the highly partisan crowd.

I was Very proud of the european supporters in Wales, despite the weather they were brilliantly behaved (the expensive beer may have helped) and the banter with visiting us supporters was amazing. Only player who caught some flack was Tiger, but that was mostly a few comedians every time he passed a female Marshall.

In terms of courses we've held the ryder cup in Europe at The Belfry, Celtic Manor, Valderama and k club since 1985; none of these are links courses; Valderama and k club would have favoured Europe a bit (as does wet windy weather I suppose?)

I'm expecting a US victory this time round, by a couple of points - home crowd is important but the US players look fresher and in better touch than the Europeans.

Oh and the greatest Ryder cup has got to be 1969; greatest demonstration of sportsmanship coupled with a close match.

[westy]

Oh and assume US team waterproofs won't be from Walmart this time round

[RoverRick]

Oh and assume US team waterproofs won't be from Walmart this time round

 

Westy thank you for your opinion from a European perspective. I watched a replay Monday of that Ryder Cup and the only thing I do not agree with is that the wet conditions favored the Euros. Certainly, the wet weather gear did. But once it stopped raining the soft conditions favored the long hitters. The Euros just hit it straighter.

 

Much has been said about Hunter Mahan not making the team and how he lost the decisive point blah, blah. But Greame McDowell flat out played him those last 7 holes. The chili dip and all was not even a factor. That hole was already won to clinch the match. If Hunter would have chipped in and then won the next hole it would have been one of the biggest miracles in golf.

 

I do not think that on a weekly basis there is a true rivalry between US and Europe in golf. This will be the only week out of the last two years that I am not pulling for Luke Donald. Golf generally transcends nationalities. All golf fans are conditioned by watching golfers from all over the world play great and win tournaments. I love the Ryder and President's Cups even if they are trumped up rivalries.

 

Tiger said in his interview that he did not plan on saying a word to Rory this week because he was the enemy. I thought that was funny because last week, they were both competing for the same prize and were buddy buddy. This week, they are enemies. Until Sunday.

[RoverRick]

They just showed the seventeenth hole on TV. It does not start for two more days and the stands are packed already.

[westy]

In truth US team nearly pulled off an even greater comeback than brookline last time round, they were buried half way through last day but still nearly got a result. I followed the last match for 6 holes and your right it was probably over before that 17th.

Well I'd back Europeans in the rain, but let's hope weather behaves nicely.

There are only a few short hitters in the event (short is comparative of course) anyway so will distance off the tee be the issue or will it be holing puts under pressure?

Oh and randomly I played in a pro am week before last, one of the 51 pro's playing was former Ryder cup player (from Kiawah) Steven Richardson. Playing for a top prize of £1000; Long way down from finishing 2nd on European order of merit to Seve!

[Will Par]

I used to have a theory that Ryder Cup teams were so closely matched that neither team would ever dominate or outplay the other by a large margin. I still believe that to a certain degree, but you just never know which players will get hot with the putter and play well. If several players on one side get it going, about anything is possible.

 

Like Rover Rick I'm a big fan of Luke Donald (and really most of the players on both teams). It'll be hard to pull against anyone on either team although I'll have favorites in some matches. I'll probably be pulling for some players on each side at one point or another and I'm looking forward to some good golf. Otherwise I'm not making any predictions since anything can happen. And I'll enjoy the competition regardless of who wins.

[Moecat]

http://espn.go.com/golf/hot?id=8398078

 

Expect winning ways to continue

By Gene Wojciechowski

ESPN.com

Archive

MEDINAH, Ill. -- For the record, Riles had the first pick in our Ryder Cup draft and he took Team USA. Very cagey on his part. He gets to be Captain America and I get stuck explaining an uncomfortable truth:

 

Team Europe is going to win.

 

I'm certainly not rooting against the Americans, but how can you objectively look at this matchup and think Team USA is going to be showering in champagne late Sunday? How can you crunch the numbers and somehow come up with a home team victory?

 

Answer: You can't.

 

The Europeans have won six of the past eight Ryder Cups. They've won huge (in 2006, 2004). They've won small (2010, 2002, 1997, 1995). They've won over there (2010, 2006, 2002, 1997). They've won over here (2004, 1995).

 

They've got the best golfer on the planet -- Rory McIlroy. Greg Norman says he's so good that he intimidates the second best player in the world, Tiger Woods.

 

Actually, I think the only things that bother Tiger are camera shutters, TMZ and male pattern baldness. So I'm not buying what Norman is selling. But put it this way: McIlroy isn't intimidated by Woods, or any member of Team USA. And that probably goes for most, if not all, of Team Europe's players.

 

If you're European captain Jose Maria Olazabal, your head hits the pillow each night knowing that Team USA doesn't have a player with a winning Ryder Cup record. Not Tiger. Not Phil Mickelson. Not anybody on the 12-man roster.

 

Team Europe has eight players with winning records, including Sergio Garcia (14-6-4), who suddenly remembers how to putt whenever a Ryder Cup rolls around. And the only thing louder than Ian Poulter's clothes is his play during the Cup. He's 8-3-1, unbeaten in singles and generally acts like somebody plunged an adrenalin needle into his heart.

 

Luke Donald is 8-2-1 overall. Lee Westwood is 16-11-6. And nobody on Team USA is in a hurry to see Graeme McDowell's name (4-2-2) on the daily pairings sheet.

 

Did I mention that Team USA has four rookies on its team? Team Europe has just one -- Nicolas Colsaerts, and he just happens to hit the ball longer than anybody in the field.

 

Experience matters in the Ryder Cup. A lot. One-third of the Team USA roster has never stood on the first tee of a Ryder Cup match and experienced the sheer terror and pressure of playing in this event. Nothing against Webb Simpson and his Presidents Cup appearance, but it's not the Ryder Cup.

 

The Europeans have four players (McIlroy, Donald, Westwood and Martin Kaymer) who know what it's like to be the No. 1-ranked player in the world. Team USA has one (Woods).

 

The Europeans live for the Ryder Cup. So does their captain. Olazabal had a career 18-8-5 record in the Cup and was part of the first European team to win on American soil (1987). So he's not going to be flustered by the pro-USA crowds at Medinah. Nor will his team.

 

This is going to be close. Very close.

 

The "Medinah Maulers," as Riles calls Team USA (sounds like someone I know has already applied for a copyright and purchased a silk-screening machine), are formidable. On paper, it could be one of the strongest teams the USA has had.

 

But Olazabal didn't just fall off the golf cart. He isn't going to back down to DLIII, or to this being an away game. You don't think he has a plan, too?

 

I'll give Riles this much: the Medinah crowds will be fully engaged come Sunday. No Bears game that day; they play Monday night.

 

I won't be surprised if Team USA wins. But I'm still going with the defending champs, barely. A 14½-13½ finish sounds about right.

 

These are the facts. And sorry, but not even Captain America can refute them.

 

 

 

Home cooking rules the day

By Rick Reilly

ESPN.com

Archive

MEDINAH, Ill. -- Gene Wojciechowski has been my best friend for 33 years. But after hearing him say the Europeans will win the Ryder Cup in Chicago this week, I'm calling Homeland Security.

 

Turning on Davis Love III's Medinah Maulers? Maybe the best American team ever put together? A team that includes 10 of the top 16 ranked players in the world? What'd he do, buy a time share in Oslo?

 

Yes, Europe has three of the top four ranked players in the world, but two of them shrink like O.J.'s glove under pressure. Lee Westwood (No. 4) just finished 25 shots behind at the FedEx Cup final Sunday. And Luke Donald (No. 3) has the heart of Luke Skywalker when the big light is off and Donald Duck when it's on.

 

And yes, the Euros have the hottest player in the world in Rory McIlroy, but the idea that Tiger Woods would be "intimidated" by him? Please. Tiger Woods is intimidated by no man. Ex-wife, maybe. Man? No.

 

Captain Love (great porn name, by the way) has set up Medinah for bombers and birdie bangers, so the USA has a monster advantage. This team has three guys who hit it longer than a bad Russian novel -- Keegan Bradley, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson. And it has six of the top eight birdie makers on the PGA Tour.

 

Europe? Two of the top eight.

 

With Paul Azinger cracking the Why Can't The USA Win These Things? dilemma in 2008 with his ingenious "pod system," this team is together and powerful. And can we clear up this bull that there's tension between Woods and Phil Mickelson? Maybe years ago. But they've played on 13 Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams together now. They're partners in team-room Ping-Pong matches. They give each other good-natured crap.

 

"Like, I'll come in after a round and say, 'What'd you shoot?'" Mickelson says. "'Please say 72 or higher.' We have fun with it."

 

Woods is only a few holed putts from being his old trophy-hoarding self. (Can somebody PLEASE tell him to go back to the Scotty Cameron putter?) He'll be a cat trapped in a dairy at Medinah, the place where he won two PGA Championships. He won three times this year alone and was right there in two majors until he collapsed the fourth day. But here's the beautiful thing: The Ryder Cup is a three-day tournament.

 

And yes, America has four rookies compared to Europe's one, but three -- Bradley, Watson and Simpson-- won majors within the past two years.

 

And how about that fourth rookie, Jason Dufner? Yes, he shows all the emotion of an Easter Island statue. That's the same face you'll see when he beats you 4 and 3.

 

The only weak link is Jim Furyk, who hasn't won the past two years, but as long as Love doesn't play him more than once a day, he'll be fine. After all, those energy drinks are only good for five hours.

 

Now let's look at Geno's unbeatable European team.

 

Paul Lawrie? Really? He's still playing golf? I see he won the Qatar Masters. Who'd he beat, three camels?

 

Nicolas Colsaerts? Isn't he the pastry chef on Top Chef Belgium?

 

Martin Kaymer, the weakest world No. 1 since Jimmy Carter?

 

Peter Hanson? He'll need ID to get in the team room.

 

True, Europe has some strong players -- McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose, especially. And Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter go from whiners to whackers at these things, holing putts like they're aiming at kiddie pools. But this American team finally has some putters, too. Brandt Snedeker is the No. 1 putter on the PGA Tour and if he can keep his backstroke from bumping against the $11.4M in his wallet, he'll be fine. Steve Stricker putts the way Monet painted, and Matt Kuchar's putting borders on the occult, too.

 

Home teams have won the past three Ryder Cups, don't forget, and Chicago fans are not afraid to razz visiting dignitaries. This is the home of the Cubs. That's sometimes all they have.

 

All of which comes out to USA 15, Europe 13, all-night beer blast on Rush Street, and Geno taking a job covering soccer for the Stockholm Shopper.

[westy]

Well Snedecker saying he wants to "beat their brains in" can go one of two ways; dont think Im backing him for mvp after that.

 

Given he's got to face the two Mc's first up as well... that'll be a point well earned if he and Furyk can get it.

[RoverRick]

Foursome Matches tomorrow at 7:20am.

 

Match 1

Rory Mcilroy and Graeme McDowell versus Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker

 

Match 2

Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley versus Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia

 

Match 3

Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari versus Jason Dufner and Zack Johnson

 

Match 4

Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker versus Ian Poulter and Justin Rose

[RoverRick]

Well Snedecker saying he wants to "beat their brains in" can go one of two ways; dont think Im backing him for mvp after that.

 

Given he's got to face the two Mc's first up as well... that'll be a point well earned if he and Furyk can get it.

 

 

Snedeker seems like such the violent type. Maybe they should file a restraining order on him. That way they would not have to face him.

 

Seriously, I do not see this is any more inflamatory than some of the European players that said the were going to kill the Americans. I did not even pay attention until they asked Rory about it and he said "kill" was a bit strong. This is just an expression. Getting upset about expressions like this are as stupid as the Euros getting mad in '91 by the US wearing camo caps. Everyone of these guys were laughing and visiting with each other last week in Atlanta. Next time they are on the range together they will be buddies again, but this week they want to kill each other and beat each others brains in, figuratively.

[BK in TEXAS]

Foursome Matches tomorrow at 7:20am.

 

Match 1

Rory Mcilroy and Graeme McDowell versus Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker

 

Match 2

Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley versus Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia

 

Match 3

Lee Westwood and Francesco Molinari versus Jason Dufner and Zack Johnson

 

Match 4

Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker versus Ian Poulter and Justin Rose

 

I saw that. We could easily go 0-4

My guess is 1-3 with Duff/,Zach being the sole win.

[furu]

Rory is so politically correct that it´s getting boring Poulter knows how to do this!

 

3-1 EU after the first session. Westwood/Molinari will be perfect from tee to green but their putting will let them down. If they get lucky on the greens we´ll lead 4-0

[RoverRick]

I saw that. We could easily go 0-4

My guess is 1-3 with Duff/,Zach being the sole win.

 

 

I agree that it could go 0 & 4 but in the US favor. 3 out of 4 of the US teams have members that have never been beaten in the Ryder Cup. They may be Rookies but they all know how to win under pressure.

 

Snedeker is playing better than even Rory.

 

All the US players are playing better than the Euros on a whole. But we will see.

 

I would rather be wrong than not pick my team to win. Go USA.

[BK in TEXAS]

I would rather be wrong than not pick my team to win. Go USA.

 

I agree with the go USA!!!!

 

But if you were forced to bet $10,000 and HAD to pick a score......

[Ice]

I agree with the go USA!!!!

 

But if you were forced to bet $10,000 and HAD to pick a score......

Euros all the way then.

[RoverRick]

I agree with the go USA!!!!

 

But if you were forced to bet $10,000 and HAD to pick a score......

 

 

If I were betting $10k than I would say 2-1-1 USA. History does mean not anything and I believe these guys are ready.

[BK in TEXAS]

If I were betting $10k than I would say 2-1-1 USA. History does mean not anything and I believe these guys are ready.

Sure hope so! That'd rock

[westy]

1348785892[/url'>' post='72312']

Snedeker seems like such the violent type. Maybe they should file a restraining order on him. That way they would not have to face him.

 

Seriously, I do not see this is any more inflamatory than some of the European players that said the were going to kill the Americans. I did not even pay attention until they asked Rory about it and he said "kill" was a bit strong. This is just an expression. Getting upset about expressions like this are as stupid as the Euros getting mad in '91 by the US wearing camo caps. Everyone of these guys were laughing and visiting with each other last week in Atlanta. Next time they are on the range together they will be buddies again, but this week they want to kill each other and beat each others brains in, figuratively.

 

Well, agreed I don't think anyone was taking him seriously, he looks slightly less scary than my mum! Good player though and seems a nice chap - in truth most of the US team seem nice (think both teams could do with a really intimidating player - perhaps Bubba or mckleson with their short games?). It's clear how well the teams get on, a bit of needle is fine as long as sportsmanship isn't forgotten.

As this article suggests, golfers probably shouldn't do trash talk......

http://www.thedailym...c-2012092742775

Mind you it's a bit profane for my liking.

[Matt Saternus]

Headed to Medinah in a couple hours...very excited. If I can see anything through the crowds, I'll report back.

[Glftips]

This is going to be better than Shark Week.

[fozcycle]

This is going to be better than Shark Week.

 

 

Looks like they are European sharks.....

 

 

After 9 holes, the Euros are up on all 4 matches.....yikes!

[fozcycle]

Just in.......Tigers Tee shot nailed a spectator in the head......fan down! EMTs on the way.