Ryder Cup 2020 [Official Thread!]

First Up

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117883743#Comment_117883743

Agreed but Harrington would be well aware that Sky had a strong interest in Rose. They have been hyping him for weeks if not months.

abff

I've been reading various US websites and the general consensus seems to be that Garcia and Lowry were the obvious choices, but opinion divided as to whether Rose or Poulter should have got the final spot.

I was looking for the final points tables for the European team today, but couldn't find it online anywhere. For what it's worth, I've updated the top 20 in the World Points table to include yesterdays results.

You will note from the above table that the top 11 are all included in the team, with Poulter in 15th being chosen ahead of Perez in 12th, MacIntyre in 13th and Rose in 14th.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117884233#Comment_117884233

Have they? Have to say, I haven’t seen much, if any hype for Rose and generally I’d watch Euro and PGA most weekends. They probably gave him an amount respective to his form.

Russman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117883709#Comment_117883709

Wait, so you're saying the postman, isn't in fact, the postman ? 😀

Mantis Toboggan

Might not be as much between the two teams as expected.

First Up

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117884458#Comment_117884458

He features more heavily in replays of previous Ryder Cups than almost anyone.

SeeMoreBut

Anyone want to guess what Harrington pairings will be for first day?

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117885073#Comment_117885073

McIlroy and Lowry; Hovland and Garcia; Fitzpatrick and Casey; Rahm and Fleetwood for the morning.

McIlroy and Lowry; Westwood and Hatton; Poulter and Wiesberger; Rahm and Hovland for the evening.

Just off the top of my head, quite a difficult pick all the same with not so many established pairings and maybe the need to break some that have been. Always think you should get everyone out on the course the first day.

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117885558#Comment_117885558

Interesting you’ve gone Lowry both ways.

I think Casey be twice over Lowry. Rory, Rahm, Hovland and Casey will play twice under normal circumstances

Russman

Wouldn't be 100% convinced he'll put McIlroy & Lowry together. Of course he could easily do, even for one of the formats. Might see Rory with Sergio or Hovland at some point.

Agree with getting everyone out on day 1 if possible.

abff

I’m surprised to see that Jon Rahm is taking part in this week’s PGA Tour event in California. As far as I can tell, he’s the only player from either team who’s not taking the week off.

Rikand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888796#Comment_117888796

could be a sponsors commitment

Rikand

I know it might be controversial but I like Hovland and wiesberger as a pairing. Just feel like its something that would work very well. Or wies with fleetwood. I definitely wouldn't put wiesberger with poulter. Remember what happened when they put Stephen Gallagher with Poulter. It was disastrous for poor steve and he actually played the better of the two but he got the blame because the postman is the postman.

Garcia/Rahm will definitely be a day1 pairing. Spanish pairings traditionally do well for Europe.

McIlroy and lowry in fourball.

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888869#Comment_117888869

Just went off the top of my head, was thinking Garcia and Rahm for obvious reasons but Rahm is top dog now and is ideal to put out with the rookies I think.

He's passionate, currently the best player in the world, on rankings and imo, and would be a galvanising force for any rookie wobbles.

He's a talisman

Edit: Westwood being so out of form complicates things as he'd be a trusted guiding hand for a rookie, but you couldn't trust him atm imo

Dr. Bre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888796#Comment_117888796

Ye thought he would have played wentworth then gave himself a week off. But it might be sponsors commitment

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117889318#Comment_117889318

He could be combining it with a holiday with the family, the tournament is in the Napa Valley and he's spoken of how much his family love California (although referring to Torrey Pines and SD).

It's not ideal I would've thought, so must be some sponsor related contractual reason or a really hefty appearance fee 😅

Russman

Really tricky for Harrington (or any captain) to get the pairings right. Like, say you put McIlroy & Hovland together in the morning foursomes, with the intention of playing Rory with Lowry in the afternoon, but the morning pair have a huge win - hard to break them up in a way.

Who's likely to play all 4 pairs sessions ? Probably Rory & Rahm and maybe Casey are the only certs initially, plus someone who'll do a "Leona" and become undroppable. Can't really see Westwood or Poulter playing anything other than the fourballs and maybe only one match each. Fitzpatrick is probably a go to for the foursomes.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117889382#Comment_117889382

Yeah, rahms agency runs the tournament so very possible that's a lot to do with why he's playing. Harrington might not be ecstatic but I'm sure it would have been well flagged in advance.

Russman

https://irishgolfer.ie/latest-golf-news/2021/09/14/guessing-europes-ryder-cup-pairings/

Have to say, I really like his fourball pairings.....

Mushy

Just see there that it's the first time an Austrian and Norwegian player has made the team, so that's cool to see. Hopefully both get off the nark quickly

abff

Good article, but I have to take issue with one comment that is incorrect, but is widely seen as being correct. The comment is that Ryder Cup matches are usually very close affairs.

This was certainly true from 1987 to 1999, when none of the 7 matches was won by more than 15-13 and even 2002 was close enough at 15.5-12.5. But the next three Ryder Cups were won by margins of 9, 9 and 5 points respectively and after two close competitions ending 14.5 - 13.5 in 2010 and 2012, the subsequent three have been won by margins of 5, 6 and 7 points.

So only two out of the last eight Ryder Cups have been close. I guess it’s the close ones we remember, because they are the most exciting.

srfc d16

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117889882#Comment_117889882

Were any of these games won early and then matches that were still on course conceded? I don't really remember how they broke down but it could explain the winning margins

Mantis Toboggan

One thing that's needs to stop going forward is the home captain being able to set the course up to suit their team. Needs to be independent. Think that's why the winning margins have been increasing.

Mantis Toboggan

Will McDowell make captain or is it poulter after Westwood?

Joe_ Public

I recall a period of around 20-30 minutes when it looked like there might be a serious momentum switch in 2018, around midway through the singles or thereabouts. Didn't happen obviously but it was interesting for a while, so while it might not always be close according to the scoreboard, it usually does come down to the final few matches more often than not.

abff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890402#Comment_117890402

No, they play each match to its conclusion.

As to it being due to course setup, 5 of the 6 matches with wide margins were home wins, so I guess it might be a factor.

abff

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890606#Comment_117890606

I don't think McDowell will make captain. There have been three recent captains from Ireland and I think we might have to wait for Rory or Shane before we get another one. Probably Westwood next, but they might give the following one to someone from the continent (Stenson, perhaps) and the one after that to Poulter, followed by Sergio.

abff

Having said the above, Graeme has been involved at the players' representative level for quite a while, has been vice captain more than once and the 2027 Ryder Cup is in Ireland, so who knows?

techdiver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890935#Comment_117890935

I would say McDowell will definitely make captain at some point. Multiple Ryder Cup player and major champion. Don't even think it's in question. Could very well get it for Adare Manor.

redzerdrog

I dont think shane/rory is a definite combo, I'd love to see it though.

I think we could see Shane with Fleetwood and or Rahm at some some stage

I think Rory/Poulter could play a lot together

Also think Garcia/ Weisberger will be a partnership we see

slave1

I think Paddy is going to play everyone each day, depth is there, maybe Westy and Poults just once a day given their age now

Speak Now

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117892866#Comment_117892866

And form

Mantis Toboggan

Stenson is as Vice captain as expected, nice to have him involved, future captain imo.

SeeMoreBut

Ryder Cup: Brooks Koepka says US v Europe contest is 'odd' and 'hectic' - BBC Sport

Zinger wants him out if he doesn't want to be there. I don't think many USA players really have any interest in playing.

Season is over for them.

If you asked Eldrick about his achievements and records I don't think Ryder Cup will be said without prompting.

Mantis Toboggan

Sounds like brooks doesn't want to play foresomes! Tiger wouldn't talk about his achievements in the ryder cup because there aren't many, has a terrible ryder cup record.

It's the only thing that Europe has over the US, team spirit. Will it be enough to get them over the line who knows.

Joe_ Public

You wouldn't be very encouraged reading that from an American perspective, but at least Koepka is being straight up and honest about it, not trying to fake it and talk about how much "fun" they're all having, as they often do. A shame, though, that some of these guys can't seem to figure out that everything that's unique and different about the RC is precisely what makes it great.

Ormus

I’m often torn between thinking Brooks is refreshingly honest and thinking is he just a bit of a ****?

Why does he feel the need to tell the press this? Would it not be better for the team if he kept his mouth shut at least til it’s over? Why make yourself the story?

finglashoop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898473#Comment_117898473

dont think he should be bashed for being honest.

its a rare thing as most sportspeople are media trained to boredom.

Mantis Toboggan

Wouldn't be surprised if Stricker is secretly hoping Brooks pulls out through injury and he can get Billy Horshel or someone else unto the team.

Dr. Bre

It’s a pity the Americans don’t have the same team spirit as the Europeans . Too much money in the pga tour now? On paper should always win but Europe normally do

Ormus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898545#Comment_117898545

His honesty is always negative though. Seems like a sour individual.

SeeMoreBut

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898902#Comment_117898902

Honesty is good. World is turning into don't say anything if not positive. If you criticise someone you are a bad person

Rikand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117899643#Comment_117899643

there is a difference between being critical and being a giant douche though

yaboya1

Tiger Woods has won one Ryder Cup in his entire career.

The Americans don't care about it anywhere near as much as the Europeans.

Joe_ Public

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117900722#Comment_117900722

The one he did win in Boston, they certainly looked like they cared that time anyway! I think they do care, most of them at least, but the chemistry has never come naturally as it has for the Europeans. And once you have to work at it, the harder it gets. I think it makes it all the more interesting but series could do with a close contest this year and, dare i say it, even a home win.

slave1

Really surprised to see Rahm playing this week, given his age and #1 he should be playing all 5 matches in less than a weeks time

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902270#Comment_117902270

Yeah I'd something to do with money and sponsors, Harrington isn't happy.

Dr. Bre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902270#Comment_117902270

Only level par yesterday . Maybe a missed cut coming up

Trampas

Where did you see Harrington not pleased with Rahm playing

Rikand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117902525#Comment_117902525

got a very bad stomach bug tuesday, had to miss the pro am wednesday. Said the bug was worse than anything he felt with covid. Probably still feeling the after effects yesterday for his first round