The Official Ryder Cup 2014 Thread - No betting talk

gotapaininmy

First Up wrote: »

I thought Clarke was hopeless on TV. Bland cliches - not a single insight. I hardly saw Harrington all week. In fact I saw more of Caroline strutting the fairways than Padraig.

She was was she? Monty was giving out about all the people inside the ropes, only sensible thing he said for the three days!

TrapperChamonix

Michelsons record prior to Gleneagles was 11-17-6. And that when he was mostly playing well. I'm surprised Watson played him at all.

The US lead after the Friday Morning fourball's and Watson had held back Furyk, Kuchar, Johnson & Mahan as his foresomes specialists (all 4 had taken points in foresomes in Celtic Manor). Sounds like a master stroke to me. But none of them took points Friday afternoon, nor the wonder pairing of Phil and Bradley.

Some cry, "Watson's too old & too out of touch with the players." You know what in 2010 & 2012 they said Pavin & Love were too close to the players.
Others cry "Oh the chemistry isn't right, I didn't get the partner I wanted!" Dear god, if Woosnam could put up with Faldo for years then surely someone can play with Phil. At least this time they can't blame Tiger.
Finally, (though I'm not personally fond of him) I give big credit to Poulter for taking being sat down on Sat afternoon in the right spirit (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/golf/paul-mcginley-knew-team-spirit-4348878). Contrast that with Phils comments in this Ryder Cup.

As Golf Channel point out, it might have helped is Phil actually flew over on the same plane as the rest of the team.

First Up

gotapaininmy wrote: »

I agree that in the "Home of Golf" it should have been played on a links, we made the same mistake with the K-Club, should have been played on a links here too. Smurfit basically bought the Ryder Cup with his sponsorship of the European Open there for a few years in the run up, I imagine something similar happened with Gleneagles. I'm not sure about Turnberry or Trump but Carnoustie wouldn't have been a good venue in my mind. Played it back in April for an exorbitant 140 sterling (having bargained down from 200!) and there's one hole I'll remember in five years time, the 18th and that's mostly down to Harrington and Van De Veldes shenanigans on that hole. Lahinch, Ballybunion, Carne and several others in Ireland are far better links courses than Carnoustie (bit off topic I know - apologies, I was just disappointed with Carnoustie!)

Do you seriously think a mega event like the Ryder Cup could be managed at Lahinch, Ballybunion or (especially) Carne?

What Irish (or for that matter Scottish, English or Welsh) links could handle the crowds, viewing stands, movement around the course, hospitality areas, transport , parking or accommodation?

Its like saying the All Ireland final should be played in Aughrim because it has a good pitch.

gotapaininmy

First Up wrote: »

I thought Clarke was hopeless on TV. Bland cliches - not a single insight. I hardly saw Harrington all week. In fact I saw more of Caroline strutting the fairways than Padraig.

I thought the same about Clarke's commentary, it's as if they think they need to be the same as the commentators they've been listening to themselves, nothing new, nothing different, same old same old.

Rikand

vienne86 wrote: »

So next time out, who will be the captains? There is a strong case for the US wheeling out Azinger again. Europe? Darren Clarke? Could be good, but hell, we'd miss him on Sky tv! He was brilliat.

DC practically a shoe in for the next one. Well received in the States

Zinger would be good. Toms would be good also. Stricker would also be a good choice, though I reckon he would still fancy himself to make the team next year. Would have probably made it this year only for injury

gotapaininmy

First Up wrote: »

Do you seriously think a mega event like the Ryder Cup could be managed at Lahinch, Ballybunion or (especially) Carne?

What Irish (or for that matter Scottish, English or Welsh) links could handle the crowds, viewing stands, movement around the course, hospitality areas, transport , parking or accommodation?

Its like saying the All Ireland final should be played in Aughrim because it has a good pitch.

Ah no, I wasn't suggesting that at all, I was just saying they're better courses than Carnoustie.

First Up

gotapaininmy wrote: »

Ah no, I wasn't suggesting that at all, I was just saying they're better courses than Carnoustie.

Well you said it should have been played on a links instead of the K Club. Which one?

FixdePitchmark

I'd say Phil was on the plane with them ?

gotapaininmy

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

Michelsons record prior to Gleneagles was 11-17-6. And that when he was mostly playing well. I'm surprised Watson played him at all.

The US lead after the Friday Morning fourball's and Watson had held back Furyk, Kuchar, Johnson & Mahan as his foresomes specialists (all 4 had taken points in foresomes in Celtic Manor). Sounds like a master stroke to me. But none of them took points Friday afternoon, nor the wonder pairing of Phil and Bradley.

Some cry, "Watson's too old & too out of touch with the players." You know what in 2010 & 2012 they said Pavin & Love were too close to the players.
Others cry "Oh the chemistry isn't right, I didn't get the partner I wanted!" Dear god, if Woosnam could put up with Faldo for years then surely someone can play with Phil. At least this time they can't blame Tiger.
Finally, (though I'm not personally fond of him) I give big credit to Poulter for taking being sat down on Sat afternoon in the right spirit (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/golf/paul-mcginley-knew-team-spirit-4348878). Contrast that with Phils comments in this Ryder Cup.

As Golf Channel point out, it might have helped is Phil actually flew over on the same plane as the rest of the team.

I heard that on matt Cooper last night that Phil had flown over on his private jet, unbelievable, needed a jet on his own to carry that ego!

First Up

gotapaininmy wrote: »

I heard that on matt Cooper last night that Phil had flown over on his private jet, unbelievable, needed a jet on his own to carry that ego!

He may have travelled home by private jet but he arrived with the team.

gotapaininmy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'd say Phil was on the plane with them ?

That Lawrence Donegan fella was on Matt Cooper last night and said he'd flown in on his private jet, the lying toe-rag!

gotapaininmy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'd say Phil was on the plane with them ?

is Jordan Spieth really 21? He looks about 35 without the hat on

FixdePitchmark

gotapaininmy wrote: »

That Lawrence Donegan fella was on Matt Cooper last night and said he'd flown in on his private jet, the lying toe-rag!

Now the piece is cut - so they could have arrived and he could have walked in back or up steps.

This is now becoming more like Bourne Phil (Staring Phil)

vienne86

gotapaininmy wrote: »

Really? I thought Harrington would still be under the delusion that he'll make the team! He must be down the pecking order though with Miguel and Clarkey having been vice-captains previously.

I agree. He was saying that the captain's job is now a team effort, and he loved being part of it.

gotapaininmy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Now the piece is cut - so they could have arrived and he could have walked in back or up steps.

This is now becoming more like Bourne Phil (Staring Phil)

The plot thickens! In fairness I wouldn't blame him for flying home on his own, they all live in different parts of the states, who wants to be sitting on a plane listening to Patrick Reed talking about how good he is?

Webbs

First Up wrote: »

He may have travelled home by private jet but he arrived with the team.

Watching the build up on TV they had shots of Phil in the airport as the American team jet arrived. He then go into his blazer and joined them on the steps for the photo call.
I think that this is indicative of the attitude Phil has to the whole event

TrapperChamonix

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

I'd say Phil was on the plane with them ?

Absolutely and positively not! If you watched the news item of them arriving in Scotland. Phil was waiting with McGinley and Salmon and when the door opens he walks up the stairs to get his photo taken.

Check Brandel Chamblee comments at 50 sec on this clip
http://www.golfchannel.com/media/colin-montgomerie-reacts-phil-mickelson/

gotapaininmy

Webbs wrote: »

Watching the build up on TV they had shots of Phil in the airport as the American team jet arrived. He then go into his blazer and joined them on the steps for the photo call.
I think that this is indicative of the attitude Phil has to the whole event

Seriously? That's laughable! If that's indicative of Phils attitude then he hasn't a leg to stand on. There was talk on the radio that he was speaking for the whole team at that press conference buit evidence like this would suggest otherwise.

First Up

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

Absolutely and positively not! If you watched the news item of them arriving in Scotland. Phil was waiting with McGinley and Salmon and when the door opens he walks up the stairs to get his photo taken.

Check Brandel Chamblee comments at 50 sec on this clip
http://www.golfchannel.com/media/colin-montgomerie-reacts-phil-mickelson/

Fair enough; I hadn't seen the footage of them at the airport. I think Monty puts it well in that clip.

TrapperChamonix

gotapaininmy wrote: »

Seriously? That's laughable! If that's indicative of Phils attitude then he hasn't a leg to stand on. There was talk on the radio that he was speaking for the whole team at that press conference buit evidence like this would suggest otherwise.

The reaction of Furyk in the press conference spoke volumes. Whether he thought Phil or Tom was right, he knew it was the wrong place to raise the issue.

I like Ferhety's line "the US team could have gone out in order of Height and it wouldn't have made any difference"

gotapaininmy

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

The reaction of Furyk in the press conference spoke volumes. Whether he thought Phil or Tom was right, he knew it was the wrong place to raise the issue.

I like Ferhety's line "the US team could have gone out in order of Height and it wouldn't have made any difference"

That's true enough, Furyk was delighted to be brought into the middle of it! Who does Faldo think he's kidding in that clip talking about how to handle things after what he said about Sergio? He has little gravitas when it comes to talking about Ryder Cup captaincy.

First Up

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

The reaction of Furyk in the press conference spoke volumes. Whether he thought Phil or Tom was right, he knew it was the wrong place to raise the issue.

I like Ferhety's line "the US team could have gone out in order of Height and it wouldn't have made any difference"

A typical good one-liner from Feherty but that doesn't cover the 7-1 walloping in the foursomes. Look, we can all second guess what might have happened if Watson had done something different but its undeniable that there is pattern over many Ryder Cups of superior team spirit and team performance from the Europeans. Given that these guys are all good enough to beat one another, that has to count for something. It can't be a coincidence every time.

FixdePitchmark

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

Absolutely and positively not! If you watched the news item of them arriving in Scotland. Phil was waiting with McGinley and Salmon and when the door opens he walks up the stairs to get his photo taken.

Check Brandel Chamblee comments at 50 sec on this clip
http://www.golfchannel.com/media/colin-montgomerie-reacts-phil-mickelson/

Amazing stuff.

I'd say he would go on about his arthritis. Etc.

But not good.

TrapperChamonix

First Up wrote: »

A typical good one-liner from Feherty but that doesn't cover the 7-1 walloping in the foursomes. Look, we can all second guess what might have happened if Watson had done something different but its undeniable that there is pattern over many Ryder Cups of superior team spirit and team performance from the Europeans. Given that these guys are all good enough to beat one another, that has to count for something. It can't be a coincidence every time.

Yea, but every time its the same. US looses & the blame goes on the captain. I agree that it is the US spirit that is at issue, but I really don't believe that it is the way the pairings are put together. In the last 3 Ryder Cups the US has won 7 sessions versus 5 but has lost all 3 cups. So when the session goes against them they wilt, they don't fight back like. I'll repeat myself, Phil has a Ryder cup record of 11-17-6 going into Gleneagles. Furyk was 8-15-4. For such pre eminent players, that is shocking and no amount of POD's and pairings can excuse those records.

In the past the US had better players and lost. This time around Europe had better players, or at least better players that European teams in the past. It was always going to be a European win, so why is Watson being singled out. And if Phil is so worried about bonding and team spirit, turn up to reccie in Gleneagles that Watson organised in the summer and get on the damn team bus.e

My hope is that if the Americans do win it in Hazeltine it is in the manner of Valhalla rather than Brokline or Kiwriha Island

cairny

It's being repeatedly said that the losing captain gets villified....is that true though? Davis Love certainly wasn't, I don't remember Corey Pavin being blamed much either but I wasn't paying as much attention back then.

Was Lehmann blamed for '06? In fairness that was a real drubbing so would have been justified.

TrapperChamonix

cairny wrote: »

It's being repeatedly said that the losing captain gets villified....is that true though? Davis Love certainly wasn't, I don't remember Corey Pavin being blamed much either but I wasn't paying as much attention back then.

Was Lehmann blamed for '06? In fairness that was a real drubbing so would have been justified.

In the US, Love was blamed for being too close to the team. Giving too much say to the players. This was repeated several times on the Golf Channel this week. Not villified but blamed.

gotapaininmy

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

In the US, Love was blamed for being too close to the team. Giving too much say to the players. This was repeated several times on the Golf Channel this week. Not villified but blamed.

It is inevitable that the losing Captain is blamed but in Medinah the yanks as a team were great, 10-6 up going into the singles and then they failed as individuals.

Also the US were missing D Johnson and Dufner, would have strengthened the team if they were there but would it have made a decisive difference? probably not

A.Partridge

SuprSi wrote: »

I liked seeing him get all fired up - he showed lots of passion and it was clear he was pumped, I just didn't like him shushing the crowd. This wasn't a football game, the crowd were hardly giving him grief and as I said previously he'll be remembered as the lad who shushed the crowd!

Having said that, the comment from the guy in the crowd was completely uncalled for.

I totally agree with you here. I have no difficulty with light hearted banter but the comment from that guy was designed to antagonise Patrick Reed just before his tee-off.
It was bad form and definitely not in the true spirit of golf.
He should have been ejected to be honest.

cairny

TrapperChamonix wrote: »

In the US, Love was blamed for being too close to the team. Giving too much say to the players. This was repeated several times on the Golf Channel this week. Not villified but blamed.

Fair point, also explains why they went for opposite extreme and picked Tom.

gotapaininmy

cairny wrote: »

Fair point, also explains why they went for opposite extreme and picked Tom.

Maybe something the US can learn from the Ryder Cup is that they need continuity in their vice captains to Captains so they can learn from past mistakes. None of Watsons management team had been involved as vice-captains or captains in the last few Ryder Cups, compare that to McGinleys backroom where thay all had.