Frankly, I don't. This isn't Little League; there's no rule that everyone gets to play on Friday. The rules say each team has to have 12 players, and they all have to go out in singles. I think the USA plays against its strengths by adopting these kinds of unwritten rules. You should send your best teams out there in every session. If that means Phil doesn't play on Friday, or Bubba doesn't play teams at all, so be it. But the US had momentum, and has the advantage of having the best players, and then pissed it down the drain in the afternoon at least partially in an attempt to appease personalities or let everyone get their team participation ribbon. It's nuts.
I don’t disagree, but I think the counter argument to that is what happened to Mark James and the Euros at Brookline in 99. My memory is a bit hazy, but feel like Vandevelde and 2 other guys? didn’t play at all until Sunday, and got waxed in the singles.
Sandelin, Coltart, and Van de Velde. Yes, they lost to Woods, Mickelson, and Love. There's certainly correlation, but that's two nobodies and someone famous for the greatest choke in majors history against three hall-of-famers. Not sure you can assume any causation there.
Looking at the European pairs there, i wonder if their strategy is to half the fourballs and win the foursomes, and the USA will be looking to do the reverse. The Casey/Hatton pairing looks a little weak. I prefer the USA pairings and match-ups and can see them winning 3-1. Anything better than that I'd see as a result from the European perspective.
I think too much is made about foursomes pairings. Play the fucking ball. It’s systemic in the American game that we get trounced every session in this format. It’s embarrassing to resolve it to pairings. Either practice it more or incorporate it into events. The majority of guys play the same ProV. The difference isn’t that drastic going to a Bridgestone or a Volvik or a TM for 20 shots isn’t drastic enough to excuse their piss poor performance. Bottom line, hit a fucking golf shot. If you can’t focus on that, there’s bigger problems. Phil and Bubba have both been playing like shot so I agree with you there. But I also don’t think you can ice guys. I’m struggling to find a viable argument they would have performed better had they been in the morning session.
Where did I mention pairings? Or golf balls? Or playing both morning and afternoon?
Morning afternoon is quite clearly in reference to format. Which, yes you cited.
Then we disagree. Phil and Bubba are poor choices for foresomes. Their weaknesses - which are different - are best mitigated in fourball.
Fair enough. I see your point, I just don’t find it an excuse for players at this level. Reasonable mind scan differ I think.
I’m not excusing the players, they play when and where they are told and need to perform. Furyk sat them for one format to have them play the other. It is odd that the format he chose for that one round isn’t the best for their styles. That is on the captain.
