2023 Ryder Cup - Official Thread

[StrokerAce]

The fact that Bryson isn't on this team is a travesty. 

In the last 5 events, Bryson has shot a 58 and 61 to win at the Greenbrier, a 63 at Valderrama to come 2nd and a 63 final round Rich Harvest Farms to come from 8 back to win his second title in 3 events. 

He's one of the best golfers on the planet right now.

[Preeway]

Ryder Cup isn’t about who’s hit a few weeks out. Admittedly he’s had a great last couple of months but his last 16 months weren’t that great. 

[GolfSpy AFG]

Good God i can’t wait for this thing to start.  Took Friday off; I’ll be up at 1 am to catch the first tee shot.

Really interesting to see Capt Donald elect to play foursomes first.  
My prediction: we’ll see Spieth/Thomas, Scheffler/Burns, Schauffele/Cantlay, and Clark/Koepka.

But then again, that sits Morikawa, Homa, Harman, and Fowler, and you could argue foursomes puts a premium on FIR and GIR.  By that measure Spieth and Thomas maybe aren’t ideal based on recent form, but would you really sit a staple USA pairing like that in the first session?

Friday can’t get here soon enough!!

[No3PuttLaLa]

Going to be some fun late nighters here in the PNW. At least it starts at 10:30 pm, watch til you drop! Absolutely stoked and rooting for JT to have a showing with all the doubters from his “off” year.

 

[RockerFCC]

What is Clark thinking? Dude! Shut yer trap!!! It's not like these guys need any more motivation, I just think this is really dumb stuff to say! Show it on the course and talk after you win... and do it humbly.

[Owengeorge13]

Bryson > justin “shy chin” Thomas

[Kenny B]

On 9/26/2023 at 11:28 AM, Getoffmylawn said:

But then again, that sits Morikawa, Homa, Harman, and Fowler, and you could argue foursomes puts a premium on FIR and GIR.  By that measure Spieth and Thomas maybe aren’t ideal based on recent form, but would you really sit a staple USA pairing like that in the first session?

YES

[GolfSpy AFG]

Another really interesting dynamic about this Ryder Cup:  the mantra is always that the Euros set up the course to make accuracy more important and take away an American advantage in driving distance.  However, this year the European team on average is slightly longer than the Americans, and the Americans are slightly more accurate off the tee!  

We’re less than 20 hours away!!!

[RockerFCC]

Bt this time tomorrow, will be watching some Ryder Cup while I get ready for work. Gee, hope I make it in...  Pretty pumped for the fun, let's go USA!

[RockerFCC]

On 9/26/2023 at 1:28 PM, Getoffmylawn said:

Good God i can’t wait for this thing to start.  Took Friday off; I’ll be up at 1 am to catch the first tee shot.

Really interesting to see Capt Donald elect to play foursomes first.  
My prediction: we’ll see Spieth/Thomas, Scheffler/Burns, Schauffele/Cantlay, and Clark/Koepka.

But then again, that sits Morikawa, Homa, Harman, and Fowler, and you could argue foursomes puts a premium on FIR and GIR.  By that measure Spieth and Thomas maybe aren’t ideal based on recent form, but would you really sit a staple USA pairing like that in the first session?

Friday can’t get here soon enough!!

I think simply off their history, you have to play them. It's a tough call, but denying this is a totally different animal where experience and feeding off each other isn't important is pretty tough for a captain to do. Would be a gutsy call not to play them and I doubt that will happen. Guess we will see when they announce it. 

[fixyurdivot]

I didn't run the math, just a knee jerk decision.  Is it possible to pick 100% US players in our RC Contest but an EU win and still win the full set of Titleist clubs and 3 day/2nights golf package at Gambling Sands?  Hope so. 

[StrokerAce]

probably be just like the Solheim cup and end in a tie with everyone wanting a playoff but for some stupid reason they don't do one...

[GolfSpy AFG]

Foursome pairings are posted.  No Spieth/JT in the opening session!  Ballsy move by ZJ.

(I think I just posted them in reverse order of how they’re going out, FYI)

[revkev]

5 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

probably be just like the Solheim cup and end in a tie with everyone wanting a playoff but for some stupid reason they don't do one...

It would be the rules - the dumb reason - right now the rules don't allow for it.  BTW boxing was like that (may still be) if you fight to a draw the champion retains his title. The theory is that you have to take back the cup by winning it back.  

I would prefer a playoff but that is what the rules say.

 

That Solheim cup was amazing - looking forward to this.  Best collection of players that I can remember.  

[StrokerAce]

5 minutes ago, revkev said:

It would be the rules - the dumb reason - right now the rules don't allow for it.  BTW boxing was like that (may still be) if you fight to a draw the champion retains his title. The theory is that you have to take back the cup by winning it back.  

I would prefer a playoff but that is what the rules say.

 

That Solheim cup was amazing - looking forward to this.  Best collection of players that I can remember.  

Understood; In my head I'm trying to determine which is dumber...
1. No playoff if the matches are tied
2. Daylight Savings Time

...I go back and forth and they are very close.

[revkev]

3 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

Understood; In my head I'm trying to determine which is dumber...
1. No playoff if the matches are tied
2. Daylight Savings Time

...I go back and forth and they are very close.

I like Daylight savings time - I work until around 4:30 and need that extra hour of light to get a round in.  However if by Daylight savings time you mean changing the clocks twice a year - I'm with you.  

[fixyurdivot]

A couple of interesting pairings.  Clearly Scottie had influence on Sam being selected and I'd have to guess he and Sam being paired to lead off the charge.  With them going up against the home country hero, this match may very well set the tone for the day if not the event.  

I also find the Homa/Harman pairing interesting.  I'd have reservations sending two rookies out on day 1... but I'm sure ZJ and the vice captains have a solid reason.

It would be fascinating to hear all the behind the scenes discussions and strategy getting to these pairings.

[RockerFCC]

Interesting, I really didn't think he has the guts to not put Spieth and JT out there, hope it works. This isn't at all what I expected, for the most part. 

[bens197]

I see the US team getting spanked this weekend.  Hate to say it.  If I am betting I am taking the Europeans on home turf.

[RockerFCC]

2 hours ago, bens197 said:

I see the US team getting spanked this weekend.  Hate to say it.  If I am betting I am taking the Europeans on home turf.

I think they will keep it close, but each side has gotten really smart about how they set up their home course. The EU made this more like a match play setup, which they are far more experienced with in general. That plus the crowd will make this a VERY tough challenge, the US players will need to really be on point to win this. So long as this is within a couple points on Sunday, this can go either way. 

[No3PuttLaLa]

Live look into my living room: 

[revkev]

This is as ugly as it gets for the US.  I’ve been watching since 4.  Announcers are trying to make it sound like the Euros are playing great. I’d say they are playing solid golf.  US team looks as if no one has played competitive golf in more than a month. 
 

oh wait….

[Owengeorge13]

Europe is a power house!  USA needs LIV golfers back in the mix

[fixyurdivot]

2 hours ago, Owengeorge13 said:

Europe is a power house!  USA needs LIV golfers back in the mix

Meh... word on the street is that none of them can play tour level golf anymore.  It would be prophetic if Brooks runs the table in his matches.

 

3 hours ago, revkev said:

This is as ugly as it gets for the US.  I’ve been watching since 4.  Announcers are trying to make it sound like the Euros are playing great. I’d say they are playing solid golf.  US team looks as if no one has played competitive golf in more than a month. 
 

oh wait….

Thanks for saving me the time watching the replay... I get queazy at the sight of blood.  An 0-4 start is really embarrassing. It's going to take out-of-body levels of play just to make this this interesting .

[bens197]

Not even remotely surprised.  Zach got played by the old boys club and picked his buddies over merit.

USA deserves to get smoked.

[fixyurdivot]

4 minutes ago, bens197 said:

Not even remotely surprised.  Zach got played by the old boys club and picked his buddies over merit.

USA deserves to get smoked.

And let's not forget Whistling Straits and Team Euros motivation for payback.  I'm guessing Luke mentioned that at least once during team discussions.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Hovland may be the best golfer on the planet right now.

[No3PuttLaLa]

Stayed up until 2 to watch. Got up to find out how bad it ended up.

McIlroy and Fitz are absolutely dragging Xander and Colin.

Going to be a long weekend if this keeps up

[StrokerAce]

this is unwatchable.

golf is hard to watch with limited commercials. now with all of these commercials (and the live-look-in doesn't do much) it's awful.

I get that NBC paid a bunch of $$$$ for the tournament but to foist this upon viewers is ridiculous

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just now, No3PuttLaLa said:

Stayed up until 2 to watch. Got up to find out how bad it ended up.

McIlroy and Fitz are absolutely dragging Xander and Colin.

Going to be a long weekend if this keeps up

Honestly just been entertaining. A lot of pretty great shots and the course is playing like it should in my eyes.