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Ryder Cup 2018, I know it's too early but...

I think you just show how biased you are towards Woods - pointing on one person’s records are irrelevant. The RC is a team event not singles and it’s been widely reported for a long time that Woods has had issues within that environment- all those events he won points the US lost - that’s all that matters.

But this isn’t a thread about Woods it’s about the RC and Woods will be there as a Vice Captain only not a player and I’ll put money on that.
 
Dan2501 said:
I think the teams will be:

Europe
Rory, Rahm, Rose, Fleetwood, Garcia, Hatton, Stenson, Noren, Cabrera Bello, Fitzpatrick, Casey and Pieters

US
DJ, JT, Spieth, Reed, Fowler, Koepka, Mickelson, Kuchar, Watson, Woodland, Harman and Woods

I think across the board we look stronger than the US. Once you get past the power top 4 the rest look very beatable. Not really any other names that could come in for the US. Have thrown Woods, Woodland and Harman in there but could equally be Holmes, Snedeker, Johnson, Walker, and Moore but none of those 4 are playing particularly well at the moment, or they could go for a rookie like Pat Perez, Charley Hoffmann, Xander Schauffele or Patton Kizzire but it would be a huge ask for those guys, particularly the last two. Am I forgetting anyone? Am I under-rating the Americans?
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I think the American team will be good and on paper will be clear favourites, even in Europe.

Europe can definitely do the job but need a lot to go for us and for all the top guys to really turn it on.

Rory, Garcia, Rose - need to deliver. Get these guys out in separate groups and lead the way as the top Global players in the European team. But need the other 'world players' like Rahm, Noren, Fleetwood to not play like rookies (and I don't think they will be treated like rookies by Bjorn).

Clarke tried too hard to protect the rookies, and guys like RCB, Pieters & Wood, who were playing, well didn't get the same game time as the likes of Kaymer & Westwood (who were out of form and had needed picks).

Also - they let the stuff with Willett take up far too much time and attention, and he even changed his selections on the back of this.
 
How is pointing out his RC record a show of bias? You said he won't be feared because he's not been on a winning side since 1999 - I was showing that despite being on losing teams, Woods actually has a good Ryder Cup record and so if he's playing well, he would be feared because he has performed on that stage individually before. Personal issues aside, as a golfer he would be feared.

It's definitely more than likely he'll only be there as a VC, but if he was to win this season which he definitely could, Furyk could be bold enough to pick him. I wouldn't rule it out.
 
Liverpoolphil said:
The last time Woods was on a winning RC Team was in 1999 - the two times they have won it since Woods didn’t make the team -any other time Woods played the US won. The Europeans won’t fear Woods at all
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I actually think Woods will be a big asset as a player. And I think he will get a pick, even if he continues on the similar form as he showed last week.

The other times he played, he was a star - the best player in the world by miles and it seems likely that whoever he was playing with was intimidated by him (or simply didn't enjoy playing with him). Opponents also raised their game.

Now - he is clearly more at the level of 'in the pack' and guys like Spieth, Thomas, DJ etc will enjoy playing with him, with the tables turned a bit and Woods now being the potential weaker player.

He is also clearly enjoying much more the camaraderie and friendship of being on tour, something that he didn't embrace previously when he was simply focused on winning majors and nothing else, and no one else.
 
Dan2501 said:
I think the teams will be:

Europe
Rory, Rahm, Rose, Fleetwood, Garcia, Hatton, Stenson, Noren, Cabrera Bello, Fitzpatrick, Casey and Pieters

US
DJ, JT, Spieth, Reed, Fowler, Koepka, Mickelson, Kuchar, Watson, Woodland, Harman and Woods

I think across the board we look stronger than the US. Once you get past the power top 4 the rest look very beatable. Not really any other names that could come in for the US. Have thrown Woods, Woodland and Harman in there but could equally be Holmes, Snedeker, Johnson, Walker, and Moore but none of those 4 are playing particularly well at the moment, or they could go for a rookie like Pat Perez, Charley Hoffmann, Xander Schauffele or Patton Kizzire but it would be a huge ask for those guys, particularly the last two. Am I forgetting anyone? Am I under-rating the Americans?
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Patrick Cantlay and Daniel Berger will be there or there abouts.
 
Dan2501 said:
Woods won 2.5 points in 2002 (T2 on the US team - halved on Sunday), 2 points in 2004 (2nd on US team - Won on Sunday), won 3 points in 2006 (1st on US team - won on Sunday) and won 3 points in 2010 (T1 on US team - won on Sunday). Only Ryder Cup he played poorly was 2012 and he still halved on Sunday. Playing on poor teams doesn't make Tiger a poor Ryder Cup player, he's not lost a singles match in the Ryder Cup since 1997. If he's playing well, which would be the only reason they would pick him, the European's will fear him more than a rookie.
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I'm a massive Tiger fan but those stats don't support him being a good Ryder Cup player. He was the best player in the world by miles and miles in the 99-09 era. He should have been getting a guaranteed 80% point ratio, not 50%. Tiger of that decade should have cleaned up, and the rest of the team would likely have ridden his coatails. If he'd have performed to his high standards in Ryder Cups the US would have won more in his time. Plus it was well known that him and Mickelson didnt get during that period, and he was a pretty inclusive person and didnt help contribute to the wider team at all.

As for this year, I think we have far more depth which bodes well for the singles. We usually hold our own on the Friday/Saturday, and we then have the likes of Noren/RCB/Hatton as our 'lesser' players compared to Harman, Hoffman, Perez. I know who I'd rather have on European soil
 
Tommo21 said:
Bjorn will be desperate for Poulter to be in there. Poulter will be desperate to be in there. The Americans will be hoping Poulter is not in there.
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As long as he qualifies by right then he would be a superb addition but expect him to be a Vice along with the likes of Westwood , Donald etc
 
Why does Fitzpatrick figure on pretty well everyone's list?

His recent form has been less than spectacular and his performance last time was 0 points from two outings.

Obviously if he qualifies then great but if it requires a pick there are currently others ahead of him.
 
MetalMickie said:
Why does Fitzpatrick figure on pretty well everyone's list?

His recent form has been less than spectacular and his performance last time was 0 points from two outings.

Obviously if he qualifies then great but if it requires a pick there are currently others ahead of him.
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Because right now he is in the qualifying list and he is someone who is very consistent and will continue to gain the points - and I’m sure most won’t judge him on his rookie performance when it was quite clear the rookies were mismanaged last time - he hasn’t started the season that badly
 
Liverpoolphil said:
Because right now he is in the qualifying list and he is someone who is very consistent and will continue to gain the points - and I’m sure most won’t judge him on his rookie performance when it was quite clear the rookies were mismanaged last time - he hasn’t started the season that badly
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I must be misreading the qualifying criteria as, at present, I can't see that he is in automatic selection spots.

Is it not the top 4 from the OWGR then the top 5 from the European Tour?

If so then at this early stage he would be reliant upon a Captain's pick, something that he has yet to justify to me.

Plenty of time yet I know.
 
MetalMickie said:
I must be misreading the qualifying criteria as, at present, I can't see that he is in automatic selection spots.

Is it not the top 4 from the OWGR then the top 5 from the European Tour?

If so then at this early stage he would be reliant upon a Captain's pick, something that he has yet to justify to me.

Plenty of time yet I know.
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http://www.rydercup.com/rankings

Its not the OWGR

It’s world points gained and right now Fitzpatrick is fourth but also 6th in the European Points - it’s safe to say that right now he is qualifying comfortably and will gain more points as he goes
 
MetalMickie said:
Why does Fitzpatrick figure on pretty well everyone's list?

His recent form has been less than spectacular and his performance last time was 0 points from two outings.

Obviously if he qualifies then great but if it requires a pick there are currently others ahead of him.
Click to expand...

Fitzpatrick would be a decent addition to the team and is likely to qualify automatically. Expect him to do well at big events where accuracy is at a premium... Masters, US Open, Scottish at Gullane and the Open at Carnoustie.

Not a long player, but keeps it in play and can score as well. Ideal for foursomes as opposed to fourball.
 
Liverpoolphil said:
http://www.rydercup.com/rankings

Its not the OWGR

It’s world points gained and right now Fitzpatrick is fourth but also 6th in the European Points - it’s safe to say that right now he is qualifying comfortably and will gain more points as he goes
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Fair enough although it is interesting to see that he is behind Ross Fisher on that list yet the latter seems to be dismissed by many.
 
MetalMickie said:
Fair enough although it is interesting to see that he is behind Ross Fisher on that list yet the latter seems to be dismissed by many.
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Fair enough, but Fisher completely bottled it at Celtic Manor when leading clearly in his match vs Jeff Overton - which could have been the winning point and totally collapsed when he saw Europe down in most of the matches behind him.
 
Grant85 said:
Fair enough, but Fisher completely bottled it at Celtic Manor when leading clearly in his match vs Jeff Overton - which could have been the winning point and totally collapsed when he saw Europe down in most of the matches behind him.
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Lot of years since then. He has played a lot more golf, gained more experience. Harsh to hammer him for that still.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Lot of years since then. He has played a lot more golf, gained more experience. Harsh to hammer him for that still.
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Indeed and not the first player to wilt under the pressure. Danny Willett as Master champion didn't score a point. There's a lot of golf to be played and a lot of players to drop in and out of form. I would like to see a Frenchman make the side to pep up local interest and French passion but don't think it'll happen other than via a wildcard. Dubisson best placed but can blow hot and cold. I still like the look of the US side and feel they are stronger on paper at the moment but happy to wait for the sides to be announced, especially with the wild cards and then see how it pans out
 
You need a Frenchman in otherwise no French will go, they’re a funny lot. Is anyone actually excited about the Ryder cup. I’ll watch it when it’s on, but I’ve got some sympathy for Rory’s comments a few years back, I struggle to see it as a big deal.
If I was a pro I wouldn’t play in it unless I could work some financial benefit. If I could link it to increased profile, more sponsorship etc then I’d do it, otherwise I couldn’t see the point. I’d rather have the weekend off
 
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