Ryder Cup 2020 [Official Thread!]

I'm going framing this comment....

In all my years watching the Ryder cup I've never thought about how the singles match ups are decided! Are they picked at random? What level of control do the captains have?

That doesn't really make sense

There's no way that their two ordered sets of 12 would match up

That’s exactly how they do it. Each captain picks a player to play each match without knowing who the other captain has picked and that’s the pairings. Then announce them from match 1 to 12!

Ah yeah I was way overthinking it. They have no input into who they are paired up with.

Bit of a pre coffee (s) moment for me

???

It could also be an almost double bluff from Harrington. His only strategy is to top load the order, Stricker knows this and would have been likely to top load also, to both counter and to get it over ASAP. The way Rory is playing he’d probably lose to anyone so he might be a sacrificial lamb to use up one of the top American names. And he just might catch fire and win.

Caveats obviously being they only need 3.5 points so it doesn’t really matter what order they go out in anyway, and all the Americans bar maybe Scheffler are top names and strong enough to lead off.

I’m wondering could it be pretty much over before the last pair tee off ? Lots of TV execs wouldn’t be happy !

Rory still hasn't even played 16,17,18 in his 3 rounds, he'll need to have it wrapped up by 15 today

The American crowd don't have much, if any, animosity towards Rory-- he's a hugely popular guy so any antagonism is likely to be minor. Plus he is out first, there won't be too much Pale Ale consumed at that hour and perhaps putting him first, and making him centre of attention, will work. Just concentrate on his own game, he has played pure muck each day so if it continues we won't be surprised. However, if he is competitive with 3 holes to go, he will win. And all might be forgiven

Question:

Once US hit 14.5 points do the other single matches carry on or do they stop there & then?

Im thinking of it from a betting perspective & wondering what happens the final few matches if US win early.

Are bets settled on matches on scores as they are?

Yes, they play to the end mostly to confirm statistics and settle bets.

It came about I think when EU were hammering US and it was over but Tiger refused to give up. Not exactly sure. Think it was 2002. I remember matches being 'called in' in previous decades.

Might be a long tough day at stumps for the English batsmen....

To use a NFL analogy putting Rory out first is a hail mary throw for a touchdown.

If he finds form it could ignite a big comeback, and realistically Europe probably wont win unless Rory wins today so you may as well give it a go because Padraigh hasnt got a lot of options left.

He could have gone out with Rahm, Garcia, Hoveland and lowry who are his best chances of wins today (before seeing the pairings) but he needs something to ignite the team.

If Rory shows up it could be worth watching, but if he isnt in contention by the back 9 then its hard to see who could turn it around.

To be fair, Rory usually plays well on a Sunday when it's too late.

He could have also insisted that he go out first to amend the bad 2 days. To send a message to the other players who haven't played well that it's possible. There is logic there.

Thanks

was hoping for lowry /Rory partnership but maybe with a different partner on Friday Shane might have contributed even more given how well he played yesterday.