RYDER CUP THREAD

madds

Thought I would start a Ryder Cup thread in which we can discuss all things related to the 3-day shootout fast approaching in September.

I was listening to Valhalla's head green keeper recently as he answered whether the course would be "home cooked". He replied saying he was (naturally) hugely biased towards the US team and would do his utmost to meet Captain Azinger's requests on how he wanted the course set up.

He was pressed for further details and said that as well as letting the rough grow around the greens which would assist the US teams greater advantage in playing lob shots, he also stressed that the rough just off the fairway landing areas would be short to medium length to assist the US team, as "it is understood the US team would be the bigger bombers".

Now this is the bit that gets me. Looking down through the probable lineups for both teams (top 10 players, no captains picks), my opinion is that there are bombers on both sides, but surely the US team does not have a huge advantage in this area? Below are the current standings for both teams and I have bolded those players who I believe fit into the "bomber" category, granted some may be longer than others.

So the question is this: is the US team a bigger hitting team than their European counterparts?

US

1 MICKELSON
2 CINK
3 PERRY
4 FURYK
5 KIM
6 LEONARD
7 CURTIS
8 WEEKLEY
9 STRICKER
10 AUSTIN


Europe
1. Harrington
2. Westwood
3. Garcia
4. Stenson
5. Karlsson
6. Jimenez
7. McDowell
8. Rose
9. Wilson
10. Hansen

Really looking forward to this week of golf. I think this one will be closer than previous recent meetings.

Woodgate

I think in terms of "bombers" the talk had been as Zinger has 4 picks, he may go for the likes of Bubba Watson & J.B. Holmes, the thinking being just go for everything. I would agree with you that I don't see any major advantage there as Europe will be strong in all departments.

A.Partridge

Woodgate wrote: »

I think in terms of "bombers" the talk had been as Zinger has 4 picks, he may go for the likes of Bubba Watson & J.B. Holmes, the thinking being just go for everything. I would agree with you that I don't see any major advantage there as Europe will be strong in all departments.

Oh please Mr Azinger, please please pick J.B Holmes!;)

J.B. Holmes is a bomber alright...he bombed the final round ofthe USPGA to record an 81 when he was in the final group. He's long off the tee but that's about it. Don't think he has the short game or the bottle to trouble any of the Europeans.

For the record I don't know how anyone could say that the US 'would be bigger bombers' considering that the following players are not long hitters:

Furyk - short hitter
Leonard - short hitter
Curtis - short hitter
Austin - short hitter

Whereas, not one of the ten europeans listed are considered short hitters.

1916

madds wrote: »

1 MICKELSON
2 CINK
3 PERRY
4 FURYK
5 KIM
6 LEONARD
7 CURTIS
8 WEEKLEY
9 STRICKER
10 AUSTIN

The current PGA Stats on driving distance has the following positions

1 MICKELSON - 35
2 CINK - 36
3 PERRY - 33
4 FURYK - 169
5 KIM - 11
6 LEONARD - 170
7 CURTIS - 142
8 WEEKLEY - 69
9 STRICKER - 129
10 AUSTIN - 122

Bubba is No 1. I always thought Perry and Cink were not that long but they are in or around Leftie

1916

clg23

Holmes is a favourite to be a pick for the US but I really hope he doesnt make the team the chap is painful to watch..

rednik

Holmes and Ben Crane for the team then they can extend the tournament for a few days to allow them to complete their rounds. A lot of punters are writing off the Yanks too easily, this will not be the stroll in the park they are expecting. Azinger was a fierce competitor and personally I think he will be a great captain. Reading on some blogs the european team to win by a record margin is just silly.

madds

I agree that Zinger will prove to be a great captain and his leadership and motivational powers may be worth an extra couple of points to the US team. My jury is still out on Faldo tbh. It will be interesting to see who his two picks will be, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Nick make a controversial decision.

JerryHandbag

I really hope Zinger picks these wild cards:
JB Holmes (a bomber yeah, thats about it though)
Woody Austin ( a self-confessed choker)
Bubba Watson (see JB Holmes)
Hunter Mahan (in the interest of team spirit )

There just isnt the strenght in depth to the USA team, looking at the places just outside the qualification mark, compared to Europe who have the likes of Dougherty, Poulter, Casey and Kaymer on the fringes.

For this to be close USA will have to play out of their skins, and Europe play mediocre....home advantage was no help to the americans the last time they got trounced! I predict about 16-12 to Europe, but there may yet be a few extra rookies on the team, ie Soren Hansen, Oliver Wilson etc, which might change the equation somewhat

madds

Watched Golf Night on Sky last night and they discussed four possible candidates for the 2 wild cards - Monty, Casey, Poulter, and Clarke. I have to say I'd love Clarkie to make it but if I remove my biased hat, I have to admit that Poulter and Casey are in the driving seat. With Casey having shot a 66 in the first round of the Barclay tournament, that only solidifies his position in Faldo's eyes.

Monty has taken the next couple of weeks off in order to find his spark again. SKY reckoned he would need to win at Gleneagles in order to force his way into the wild card reckoning.

I for one would be happy with Casey and Poulter if they were the picks.

JerryHandbag

Maybe if Poulter & Casey make the team automatically then Clarke might get a pick?

madds

I heard today (think it was on SSN) that Robert Karlsson is a slight injury worry for the Ryder Cup. The Swede has a great foursomes/fourball record and would be a huge loss for Europe were he not to make it.

(Mod - can you merge this thread and the other Ryder Cup thread that was started today please?)