Ryder Cup 2016 - Official Thread

[Imurg]

It would be fantastic if it all comes down to the last pair on the last hole and Fitz sinks a 25 footer to beat an Open Champion and claim the Cup..😀👍😀.
That would be some party

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Although I haven't been exactly happy with some of the pairings and also the plan exercised by the players, I still think that the singles matches could be the telling for both teams. I have a sneekt feeling our "rooky" lads are going to do better than expected.
I will add though at this point, I see this as Westwoods last RC as a player.

 

[One Planer]

Although I haven't been exactly happy with some of the pairings and also the plan exercised by the players, I still think that the singles matches could be the telling for both teams. I have a sneekt feeling our "rooky" lads are going to do better than expected.
I will add though at this point, I see this as Westwoods last RC as a player.

He shouldn't be there this time!

He's done nothing all year to remotely warrant a place or even a pick.

As for picking someone purely on experience, that's just, quite frankly, laughable.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

He shouldn't be there this time!

He's done nothing all year to remotely warrant a place or even a pick.

As for picking someone purely on experience, that's just, quite frankly, laughable.

Don't disagree at all. I am merely saying that he shouldnt be considered at all after this one.

 

[One Planer]

Don't disagree at all. I am merely saying that he shouldnt be considered at all after this one.

Agree to a point.

If he was in form before this Ryder Cup I would have no issue with his inclusion. Thing is he's done nothing all am shown little to no form.

You can't pick someone in the hope they perform just because of the occasion.

Clarke has made some strange choices so far. Why Rafa and Sully didn't get out in the fourballs ahead of Kaymer and Westwood was beyond me.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Unless he qualifies by right, I see Westy joining Poults as a Vice Captain, and both will get their chances as future captains i'm sure.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Why would anyone "hope" some gets stick?

Clarke isn't going out to lose , he is doing what he thinks is the best along with his vice captains and sometimes it doesn't work out

But Europe always took pride in sticking together regardless and if we lose we congratulate the US team and move on to France

These players and captain that are getting crucified have for twenty years help with Ryder Cup after Ryder Cup - they have earned the respect and it would be a shame to see people use one RC to destroy those reputations

Which players are getting crucified?
All I've heard is people saying that Westwood shouldn't be there.
And you can hardly blame him for that,he was never going to say no to the pick.

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Unless he qualifies by right, I see Westy joining Poults as a Vice Captain, and both will get their chances as future captains i'm sure.

And TBH I was rather suprised he wasn't a VC this time, instead of playing.

 

[Pin-seeker]

And TBH I was rather suprised he wasn't a VC this time, instead of playing.

That's what I don't get,if he's there for experience then why not just have him as a vice captain.
He certainly wasn't picked on current form.

The US team left out Bubba & he's currently in the top 10,but his form is poor going into the tournament.

 

[Hacker Khan]

Said it before but I think the talk of worst captain is very harsh. They can only play the hand they are dealt. I see a couple of main roles of captain, there is the pre-match stuff, the attention to detail, saying the right thing, ensuring the players are very comfortable and want for nothing. And although a lot of this is unseen therefor hard to judge, from listening to a few podcasts and social media he seems to have dome this extremely well.

Then there is the stuff we do see, the picks and the pairings. The picks have been discussed a lot, personally I thought Kaymer was the wrong pick, others Westwood, but most agree Pieters was the right pick. Although to me the fact that he was considering Donald, a short mostly out of form hitter on a bombers course, was a little worrying. Also apparently there was hardly any contact between DC and Knox in the build up, it was as if Westwood and Kaymer were always going to be picked, no mater what, and there was only ever going to be one space left. And thank god Poulter was injured or he might of got in as well.

Then of course there was his pairings, mostly on the final fourball. By that stage he should know who is in form and who is not, and it was clear that the in form players were delivering on both sides. So to me he gambled on experience over form and has paid the price. Yes hindsight is a wonderful thing, but many people said this at the time the pairings were announced. I don't think if he would have thrown in Berro, Matt FP, Sulli and Wood and we would have had the same result, many would be saying he should have put in the out of form Westwood, Kaymer and Willett instead. Who scored a grand total of 0 points from 7 opportunities. But by picking out of form but 'experienced' players he has opened himself up to accusations of picking his mates or overly trying to justify his captains picks. Also he has put Matt FP out last in the singles, traditionally a role for a very steady 'closer'. So why only play him once in the previous 2 days?

Of course there could still be a Medina style come back which would be great. But even then I see him going down as more of a Olazabal/Seve type captain, as in we won it in spite at times of them. Not a McGuinley, Langer, Woosie even Monty, who always looked totally in control. I think EUR have slightly bought too much into the myth of the success being based on all the preparation and team bonding. When in fact IMHO, it is mostly who plays their most in form players, who putts the best and how well prepared the team is for the singles matches.

But still go back to the fact that there is only a limited amount a captain can do and on paper EUR did have the weakest team, with DC having to accommodate one or two too many rookies for his liking. But there us an argument to say DC did not make the best of what he had. Which to me defines what the great captains/managers do.

Still, all long as Pieters is EUR top scorer I don't care as I've got him at 18 to 1. And if US can win 15.5 to 12.5 that will ease the pain as I've got that at 12 to 1 as well.

 

[Hacker Khan]

That's what I don't get,if he's there for experience then why not just have him as a vice captain.
He certainly wasn't picked on current form.

The US team left out Bubba & he's currently in the top 10,but his form is poor going into the tournament.

Listen to the' by the min golf podcast' that come out the other week with with Chubby on it. From what Chubby said it sounded like Westwood was always going to be picked no matter what, DC was going to be relying on him a lot and he saw the fact that he would be a playing as a massive advantage.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Listen to the' by the min golf podcast' that come out the other week with with Chubby on it. From what Chubby said it sounded like Westwood was always going to be picked no matter what, DC was going to be relying on him a lot and he saw the fact that he would be a playing as a massive advantage.

It probably came down to the fact that they're mates.

 

[lobthewedge]

Looking at the draw i believe i can foresee 2 wins, the rest halves or losses.

I actually think this is quite a good draw, although that top match is critical and will set the tone of the afternoon.

If reade plays like he did yesterday then it will all be over very soon. Hopefully Rory can get out the traps early and silence the crowds.

Speith was awful yesterday, stenson should see him off.

Pieters is inspired at the moment and should beat a lukewarm jbHolmes.

If rose finds something on the greens he should beat an inconsistent fowler.

Rafa is another playing inspired stuff, has a chance against walker.

Sergio has been playing well and is due some luck on the greens. Should be a great game depending which Phil turns up.

Westwood will be looking to make amends and we can only hope fatigue is starting to play on Moore. Hopefully Moore is generous with his gimmes.

Sullivan should have had another game under his belt, think snedeker will thrash him.

Wood should have played yesterday afternoon, will have a point to prove, while dj is not firing on all cylinders.

Koepka should hump an out of sorts Willet.

Kaymer needs to find something quick or he will get embarrassed by kuchar.

Think the occasion will be too much for fitz and the experience of Zj will see him through.

Just my thoughts, trying to stay positive and believe we still have a chance.

 

[shivas irons]

I can see theres a chance of some points in the first four matches but after that I think we'll struggle judging by all the players form of the last two days.
The rowdy US crowd could really be an issue on the final day and if Europe are on the back foot I think there will be some drama,really cant see Clarke putting up for that.....

 

[Slime]

Wow, there's a lot of negativity flying around on this thread.
Europe to win 14½ to 13½.
It'll be another nailbiting finish.

 

[williamalex1]

We really need our putting to improve big time , tee to green our team is as good if not better than the USA .

C'mon Europe you can do it :whoo:

 

[paddyc]

I actually think this is quite a good draw, although that top match is critical and will set the tone of the afternoon.

If reade plays like he did yesterday then it will all be over very soon. Hopefully Rory can get out the traps early and silence the crowds.

Speith was awful yesterday, stenson should see him off.

Pieters is inspired at the moment and should beat a lukewarm jbHolmes.

If rose finds something on the greens he should beat an inconsistent fowler.

Rafa is another playing inspired stuff, has a chance against walker.

Sergio has been playing well and is due some luck on the greens. Should be a great game depending which Phil turns up.

Westwood will be looking to make amends and we can only hope fatigue is starting to play on Moore. Hopefully Moore is generous with his gimmes.

Sullivan should have had another game under his belt, think snedeker will thrash him.

Wood should have played yesterday afternoon, will have a point to prove, while dj is not firing on all cylinders.

Koepka should hump an out of sorts Willet.

Kaymer needs to find something quick or he will get embarrassed by kuchar.

Think the occasion will be too much for fitz and the experience of Zj will see him through.

Just my thoughts, trying to stay positive and believe we still have a chance.

I think a lot will depend on the outcome of the McIlroy/Reed game as that will set the tone. Im still otptimistic like my fellow forumer. Apart from Reid and possibly Snedeker and Koepka I dont think there has been too much from the americans in respect of outstanding invidua; perfromances even though they are 3 ahead. I think its been more of our own making and the pairings selected.. I think we can win the matches down to Garcia, sully is a tough player and will be chomping at the bit,if Wood can get something out of DJ who has not been great and I can see Fitz beating an out of form ZJ.

We can still do it.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

This is absolutely 100% completely irrelevant but what on earth is wrong with having the first tee time at 11:00? 11:04 seems like such a random time. I'm sure there is a very good reason for it?

 

[Hacker Khan]

Good article about the crowds

http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/ryder-cup-the-truth-about-us-crowds

 

[Val]

Westwood and Kaymer haven't won a point yet. How did they manage to get in the team.........



.. just saying.