2014 Ryder Cup

mascho

Kane is Able
SoSH Member
Nov 30, 2007
14,952
Silver Spring, Maryland
Tom Watson currently answering questions.  
 
re: Stricker's role - "I told him to bring his clubs, if that's any indication of his role."
 
re: Tiger - "I've got to monitor his situation over the next few weeks."
 
re: Pairings - "Phil and Fowler are potentially a pairing, no question."   
 
re: Ryder Cup Rookies - "All three have game.  Jimmy Walker has a spectacular game.  Patrick Reed finally found a driver.  Speith had a good start to the year, is having a rough go of it now, but it is something we all go through as players."
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,299
deep inside Guido territory
When: September 26-28
Where: Gleneagles Hotel PGA Centenary Course, Perthshire, Scotland
TV: Friday on Golf Channel 2:30 am-1 pm
      Saturday on NBC 3 am-1 pm
      Sunday on NBC 7 am-1pm
 
TV-wise, this is the first time in Ryder Cup history that every hole will be covered live in the United States at a Ryder Cup in Europe.
 
USA qualifying is complete.  Below are the top 9 in the standings who automatically get a spot in Gleneagles.
 
USA Automatic Qualifiers
1. Bubba Watson
2. Rickie Fowler
3. Jim Furyk
4. Jimmy Walker
5. Phil Mickelson
6. Matt Kuchar*
7. Jordan Speith
8. Patrick Reed
9. Zach Johnson
 
*injured his back at the PGA.  Status unknown
 
Top Contenders for the 3 Captain's Picks(announced September 2nd)
Jason Dufner**
Ryan Moore
Brendan Todd
Keegan Bradley
Brandt Snedeker
Hunter Mahan
Chris Kirk
Webb Simpson
Tiger Woods
 
**injured his neck at the PGA.  Status unknown
 
At this point, my captain's picks would be Dufner if healthy, Bradley, and Moore.  Kuchar has played well in the majors this year having 2 top-12 finishes in the 3 events he was in.  Bradley is tailor made for this event given his competitive nature and Moore is playing the best of any other contenders currently as he has 4 top-12 finishes in his last 5 events.
 
Let's take a look at the European side.  It's kind of confusing as European qualifying is comprised of two different points lists.  The top 4 from the Euro Points list and the top 5 from the World Points list qualify automatically.  Qualifying does not end for the Euros until August 31st.
 
Top 4 on the current Euro Points List
1. Rory McIlroy
2. Henrik Stenson
3. Victor Dubuisson
4. Sergio Garcia
 
Top 5 on the World Points List(omitting the top 4 from the Euro Points List)
1. Justin Rose
2. Martin Kaymer
3. Thomas Bjorn
4. Jamie Donaldson
5. Graeme McDowell
 
Luke Donald is right behind McDowell, but both should make the team as the other one would be a lock for a captain's pick. 
 
Top Contenders for 3 Captain's Picks
Luke Donald
Ian Poulter
Miguel Angel Jiminez
Mikko Ilonen
Lee Westwood
Francesco Molinari
Stephen Gallacher
______________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Course Info
Gleneagles PGA Centenary is a Jack Nicklaus design.  It is not your typical Scottish design as it has a distinct American look to it with the lush fairways and modern-style hole designs.  I am using the yardages from the blues listed, but they might not be the same as when play starts.
 
1: 426 yard Par 4
2: 516 yard Par 5
3. 431 yard Par 4
4. 239 yard Par 3
5. 461 yard Par 4
6. 201 yard Par 3
7. 468 yard Par 4
8. 419 yard Par 4
9. 618 yard Par 5
 
10. 208 yard Par 3
11. 350 yard Par 4
12. 445 yard Par 4
13. 481 yard Par 4
14. 320 yard Par 4
15. 463 yard Par 4
16. 543 yard Par 5
17. 194 yard Par 3
18. 513 yard Par 5
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,299
deep inside Guido territory
mascho said:
Tom Watson currently answering questions.  
 
re: Stricker's role - "I told him to bring his clubs, if that's any indication of his role."
 
re: Tiger - "I've got to monitor his situation over the next few weeks."
 
re: Pairings - "Phil and Fowler are potentially a pairing, no question."   
 
re: Ryder Cup Rookies - "All three have game.  Jimmy Walker has a spectacular game.  Patrick Reed finally found a driver.  Speith had a good start to the year, is having a rough go of it now, but it is something we all go through as players."
Sorry, I did not see this thread as I was in the middle of typing my post up.  Can we merge these two?
 

bostonbeerbelly

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 26, 2008
2,224
San Fran
Does any pressure get put on Tom Watson to choose Tiger if he can play, just due to the ratings alone? Tiger obviously should just say he is shutting it down for 2014 and is looking forward to a return in 2015, but I am not sure if that will happen. 
 
The USA team is most likely going to lose no matter what, and Tiger playing terribly will still draw more attention and eyes to the tournament than say a Ryan Moore.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Sounds like Tom has a spot for Tiger if Tiger wants it. Watson's comment about telling Strick to bring his clubs is a tad alarming. I hope that was a joke. Especially if Strick playing is related to him being Tiger's binky.

If I was picking, I would take Bradley, Snedeker and Woods for now. Keegan Bradley is wired for this stuff, so he should be one pick. Snedeker seems to be trending in the right direction, so he'd be my 2nd pick as of now. Strong starts at the Barclay's and Deutche Bank should lock up a spot for him. The 3rd spot is tricky. Watson seems to have essentially left it up to Tiger. As bad as Tiger has been, I can't really blame Watson for that when the alternatives are the Brendan Todd, Ryan Moore, Chris Kirk's of the world. Even as the 12th man playing 2-3 matches Tiger could have some value. If Woods have out, I think you have to go with Dufner (if healthy) or Moore.
 

johnmd20

mad dog
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2003
61,996
New York City
I'm hoping Tiger bows out. This year was the worst year of his career. He had a recent surgery and his efforts after surgery were particularly bad. His two rounds at Valhalla were really lousy, with the second one even looking painful. He could have had two DNF's in his last two tourney's but he gutted it out with no chance to make the cut.
 
I would love Tiger out there. He is fun to watch. But it's asking a lot for him to turn his game completely around by the end of September. It's only 6 weeks away. Give me Moore or Todd. At least they can finish 18 holes.
 

BigMike

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 26, 2000
23,244
Tiger has to walk away from this doesn't he?  Or is his ego really that big that he simply can not go quietly.  He is clearly still not healthy, and busting himself to try and find some way to prove he is healthy by the end of the month sure won't help his long term prognosis.
 
And if he does go there playing like absolute crap as he is right now and puts up an 0-3 (or worse if they let him play more), then he just looks like a guy who put his ego etc ahead of the team.
 
He has to do the right thing and remove himself from consideration,  right??
 

WayBackVazquez

white knight against high school nookie
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2006
8,294
Los Angeles
And if he says he doesn't want to be considered, people will say he's never cared about the Ryder Cup, puts himself ahead of his team, country, lacks confidence, etc.

Isn't this what the system of auto picks and captain's choices are made for? If Tom Watson, hall of famer and legend, doesn't think Tiger will help the team, then he should have the stones to leave him off and take any heat that may come from it.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Saw this on twitter...Ryder Cup records of the American qualifiers...

Bubba Watson 3-5-0
Rickie Fowler 0-1-2
Jim Furyk - 9-17-4
Jimmy Walker- N/A
Phil Mickelson- 14-18-6
Matt Kuchar- 3-3-2
Jordan Spieth- N/A
Patrick Reed- N/A
Zach Johnson- 6-4-1
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,299
deep inside Guido territory
Papelbon's Poutine said:
Given the injury issues and the fact that he hasn't played well even when he has been able to tee it up, I don't see how Watson can carry Woods with any kind of confidence. Imagine the uproar if he had to back out of singles on Sunday and the resulting halved match played a part in the outcome? 
Halved match?  Wouldn't Europe get the full point?
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Unless something has changed, it would be halved. It happened in the '91 Ryder Cup. Steve Pate was unable to play so his match was halved.
 

BigMike

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 26, 2000
23,244
WayBackVazquez said:
And if he says he doesn't want to be considered, people will say he's never cared about the Ryder Cup, puts himself ahead of his team, country, lacks confidence, etc.

Isn't this what the system of auto picks and captain's choices are made for? If Tom Watson, hall of famer and legend, doesn't think Tiger will help the team, then he should have the stones to leave him off and take any heat that may come from it.
 

I don't believe for a second Tiger would get any criticism if he came out and said.
 
I tried hard to put myself in position to play for my country in the Ryder Cup.  I have played through pain in an attempt to show I can help the team,  but quite clearly at this moment, i simply can't play well enough to help the team.
 
So in my desire to do what is best for team USA, I have asked Captain Watson to not consider me for a spot on the team, but I have volunteered to help him in any way possible, and will be there to cheers my teammates on
 

johnmd20

mad dog
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 30, 2003
61,996
New York City
WayBackVazquez said:
And if he says he doesn't want to be considered, people will say he's never cared about the Ryder Cup, puts himself ahead of his team, country, lacks confidence, etc.

Isn't this what the system of auto picks and captain's choices are made for? If Tom Watson, hall of famer and legend, doesn't think Tiger will help the team, then he should have the stones to leave him off and take any heat that may come from it.
 
If Tiger did that years ago, yes, he would have taken heat. But if he does it now, I can't imagine people would criticize. He's playing terribly. He's also injured. Nothing wrong with him saying, "I shouldn't be considered, I'm not ready, it's been a poor season to say the least, and I need to focus on healing and getting ready for a healthy 2015."
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
At least it's done with. The last thing Watson needed was for the Tiger situation to drag on for the next 3 weeks while he's trying to figure out his picks and making this team somewhat competitive. Now the Tiger situation is settled and done with so Watson can focus on the picks. 
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,850
BigMike said:
 
I don't believe for a second Tiger would get any criticism if he came out and said.
 
I tried hard to put myself in position to play for my country in the Ryder Cup.  I have played through pain in an attempt to show I can help the team,  but quite clearly at this moment, i simply can't play well enough to help the team.
 
So in my desire to do what is best for team USA, I have asked Captain Watson to not consider me for a spot on the team, but I have volunteered to help him in any way possible, and will be there to cheers my teammates on
 
 
Well, the blurb on heard on ESPN Radio this morning by some "expert" was that he did this for "ego reasons".
 

TFP

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Dec 10, 2007
20,380
My guess is that Watson goes with Keegan, Webb Simpson, and Hunter Mahan, with Mahan being the least likely to make it.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
No surprises from Europe. They are quite good.

I think you are probably right with Bradley, Mahan and Simpson, though I'm less than enthused about Webb Simpson. Bradley is wired for this and his play in 2012 basically earns him a spot. I think last weeks win nudged Mahan over the hump. He hasn't been great the past few seasons, but he has Ryder Cup experience and he's been close to unbeatable in the match play event the past three years. (Won, 2, T9). I'm not a Simpson fan but there aren't a whole lot of other appealing options. There is some chatter about Chris Kirk after his win, but as they said on the broadcast about 378482847 times, he had never top 10'd in an elite event until yesterday. He doesn't seem like a guy that will hold up under the pressure, though he did win while playing all 36 on the weekend with Rory. Horschel has the potential to be another Bradley but his big event track record isn't great as well.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
cshea said:
No surprises from Europe. They are quite good.

I think you are probably right with Bradley, Mahan and Simpson, though I'm less than enthused about Webb Simpson. Bradley is wired for this and his play in 2012 basically earns him a spot. I think last weeks win nudged Mahan over the hump. He hasn't been great the past few seasons, but he has Ryder Cup experience and he's been close to unbeatable in the match play event the past three years. (Won, 2, T9). I'm not a Simpson fan but there aren't a whole lot of other appealing options. There is some chatter about Chris Kirk after his win, but as they said on the broadcast about 378482847 times, he had never top 10'd in an elite event until yesterday. He doesn't seem like a guy that will hold up under the pressure, though he did win while playing all 36 on the weekend with Rory. Horschel has the potential to be another Bradley but his big event track record isn't great as well.
Agree on Kirk - he had some rough patches on his way to victory yesterday. He got some really lucky bounces and breaks after making some terrible swings. He could have easily lost, it was just his day I guess.
 

WayBackVazquez

white knight against high school nookie
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2006
8,294
Los Angeles
I dunno, he made a couple of loose (but not awful) swings, but more than made up with them with some huge putts. When you play bogey-free golf on the weekend alongside the #1 player in the world for a win, it's kind of tough to question your clutchness.
 

4 6 3 DP

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 24, 2001
2,370
Some of the chatter online (not people who know anything, columnists) suggests Bradley and Mahan locks at this point, with a potpourri of undesirable choice in the #3 slot.
 
The name I found most interesting was Billy Horschel, who I guess is an animated sort that it was suggested Watson might want.
 
I realize Snedeker missed the cut this weekend but I'd pick him, if only because if his putter gets hot, it would likely be the most advantageous for the squad.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
F Snedeker. The dude folds under pressure and his putting has been mediocre this year. I'd rather take Stricker if you want someone with putting chops.
 
I like the Horschel idea, to be honest. The dude plays with an edge that nobody else on the US team plays with. He could match Poulter's swagger.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
The Horschel idea is growing on me a bit. He's a fiery guy who certainly could become a Poulter/Bradley type in the Ryder Cup, but I'm not sure I'd pick him. The problem for me is he's just not very good. His name doesn't even enter the conversation if he didn't have the week he did at Norton, and the lasting image will be him chunking one into the hazard on 18 when everything was on the line. I don't know, the mental makeup and "he could be bug-eyes like Poulter!!" is really the only thing he has going for him. He doesn't bring any particular skill set to the table IMO.
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
Actually he's one of the better players on tour tee to green, he's just not a very good putter. He would be a fantastic player in team events, but might cost us a point in individual play.
 
But then again, Poulter is not particularly good at anything either and he's a beast in Ryder Cups. I think Horschel is a better player than Poulter at this point.
 
I'm on the Horschel bandwagon even though it probably won't happen.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
7:00 on the Golf Channel, I believe.

Horschel has 3 top 10's all year, and one was the 30 man TOC field back in January. I like the guy and from an entertainment standpoint I'd love to see him over a bland Webb Simpson/Chris Kirk type, but I just don't think he's playing well enough.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Keegan Bradley is pick #1. Now it gets fun. 
 
Edit: This is dumb. Announce all 3 and then do the press conference with the players. 
 

FL4WL3SS

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2006
14,913
Andy Brickley's potty mouth
If the Ryder cup comes down to a Patrick Reed putt on 18 on Sunday, I just might be rooting for the euros.

I'm completely underwhelmed by this year's team.

Of course, they'll probably win now.
 

gmogmo

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
768
Hingham, Ma
Wonder if Horschel doesn't hit his 2nd shot into 18 on Monday into the crap if he had a real shot at getting 3rd spot.  Definitely would have been more entertaining with him, but feel like consensus that Europe steamrolls the US was going to happen no matter who the captains picks were.
 

barbed wire Bob

crippled by fear
SoSH Member
I agree the Friday outfit is boring and I do not like the pin striping in the pants. It's too wide and jarring. IMO the Saturday outfit is the best. The pants harken back to the trews or plus 4s worn by the Scots. However, the blue shirt doesn't seem to go very well with the pants. I would have preferred a dark green or very dark blue. Lauren should have looked at some of the uniforms worn by some of the old Scottish regiments for inspiration. Sundays outfit sucks because red pants suck. I would have reversed the colors with white pants and a red shirt.

Edit: fwiw the British consider red pants to be a fashion faux pas. Since the US will be soundly beaten, it's probably appropriate.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10214101/Red-trousers-are-officially-a-fashion-faux-pas-YouGov-poll-finds.html
 

steveluck7

Member
SoSH Member
May 10, 2007
3,994
Burrillville, RI
Papelbon's Poutine said:
 
 I was a little drunk and I was only 13 when it aired originally and hadn't watched golf on TV at that point, but I knew who most of the guys were and I still couldn't keep track because on Sunday, the US was wearing beige and black and the Euros were wearing red and blue. WTF? I had to wait until the showed Payne Stewart to realign myself, repeatedly. 
 
We are America. Wave your dick around. 
Drunk 13 year olds don't tend to watch much golf. Kudos to you!!
Anyhow, i agree with your take... the uniforms should be boldly USA, damnit
 
I was watching Miracle at Medinah last night and, while it was a great look back, told by the Euro side, obviously, I was stunned at how butt-hurt Nicolas Colsaerts was. He commenetd over and over about how aggressive the US fans were. "They were shouting at me on my way to the range on Tuesday", etc. He never once told of a specifc vulgarity or threat tossed his way but said he felt threatened by the aggression, almost  had a "this is golf, you should cheer quietly" attitude.
 
 

Freddy Linn

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
9,151
Where it rains. No, seriously.
steveluck7 said:
Drunk 13 year olds don't tend to watch much golf. Kudos to you!!
Anyhow, i agree with your take... the uniforms should be boldly USA, damnit
 
I was watching Miracle at Medinah last night and, while it was a great look back, told by the Euro side, obviously, I was stunned at how butt-hurt Nicolas Colsaerts was. He commenetd over and over about how aggressive the US fans were. "They were shouting at me on my way to the range on Tuesday", etc. He never once told of a specifc vulgarity or threat tossed his way but said he felt threatened by the aggression, almost  had a "this is golf, you should cheer quietly" attitude.
 
 
He hasn't done shit since.  And he still hates America.
 
The big-hitting Belgian, who took down Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker almost single-handedly in the opening-day fourballs at Medinah in 2012, has abandoned his PGA Tour career after slumping to No 155 in the world rankings.
The land of milk, honey and big bucks proved to be one big turn-off for the fun-loving Colsaerts, who will tee it up at the AAM Scottish Open tomorrow back in the European fold.
"I'm glad it's out of the way and that I am back here," said Colsaerts.
"The golf is exceptional - I have no bad things to say about it - but the rest was a complete disaster for me. I just didn't really get in sync with how to live over there. I didn't find a lot else to do.
"People might think I'm homesick but I'm not. It's just America is not where I want to live my life. I just didn't really like it over there.
"I'm just not made to spend 25 weeks a year there - I realised that quite quickly - but I tried. It has been two years and two years is a long stretch of time when you're not having fun."