US Wild card picks are out

[Tiger]

Mahan: current WGC Matchplay champ
Fowler: superb Ryder Cup comeback in singles last time, first tour win this year.

I think they both would have more to offer than Furyk and Sneds.

But Mahan won the Matchplay earlier this year and did buckle when playing McDowell with that chip. Fowler did well against Molinari but him and Mickelson got whooped up till that point. I think they are expecting a 'slightly partisan' crowd and probably felt Furyk could handle that better than Fowler and Sneds has shown better recent form than Mahan. Personally I agree that they are potentially the US weak links but was just trying to understand Love's thinking...

 

[gregbwfc]

Think we've got a very strong team out too.
Should be close.

 

[OldMate]

Those who missed out on wildcards are better than some of the automatic qualifiers in my opinion - if it were possible I'd boot keegan and simpson out (even if they are both major winners) for mahan and fowler/watney.

 

[Davey S2]

Can't argue with any of those except Furyk.

I'm surprised Fowler wasn't given the nod. He may not be playing at 10/10 at the moment but he will surely feature in the Ryder Cup for years to come. Perhaps difficult for any one time captain to take a long time view.

 

[Imurg]

Both teams have to be about as strong as they can possibly be.....24 of the current top 36 in the World........

For DL3 to be able to leave out Mahan just shows what strength he has.
Dufner, Simpson and Bradley may be a weakish links. They've all played well this season but it's not going easy for rookies. We have 1. They have a few more.......

It's going to be close anyway - as long as our Lads turn up and play.

 

[RGDave]

Is it me, or is Steve Stricker likely to be another Corey Pavin. (annoyingly good matchplay battler)....???

 

[OldMate]

Is it me, or is Steve Stricker likely to be another Corey Pavin. (annoyingly good matchplay battler)....???

Good comparison nuggety players. I loved watching Pavin.

 

[Scadge]

I unfortunately think it's a great US team and pretty good picks - Stricker to play with Woods, Furyk to add experience and DJ and Sneds are players in form.

Sky showed him on super slow-mo (which I appreciate you need to with his fast tempo) and Snedeker has the simplest on plane swing - it's to die for... and a hot putter

DJ just rips it - would easily get in either team. Anyway, who would you rather have DJ and Sneds or Colsearts and Kaymer.

Poulter will be the difference one way or the other......oo:

 

[RGDave]

Good comparison nuggety players. I loved watching Pavin.

I loved watching him. I wasn't so keen on seeing another hole halved with insane scrambling.

 

[Scottjd1]

I could see Dustin & Tiger paired up, they seemed to be quite chatty and relaxed on the last round on Monday.

I think they should have picked 2 of Fowler/Watney/Mahan rather than Furyk and Stricker, I dont think they will win many points.

I am confirdent of a Europe win now

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the US will win at a canter as I simply think the crowd will play too big a part and our players will be put off

 

[Deleted member 1740]

I think the US will win at a canter as I simply think the crowd will play too big a part and our players will be put off

The majority of the European boys play there week in week out and to say they'll win at a canter is a very defeatist attitude.

No wonder you can't chip with that thinking....

 

[thecraw]

Is it me, or is Steve Stricker likely to be another Corey Pavin. (annoyingly good matchplay battler)....???

Stricker is there to play with Tiger. Plain and simple.

 

[Snelly]

Stricker is there to play with Tiger. Plain and simple.

Spot on. They had to pick Stricker or Woods would only be playing singles as no one else wants to be his playing partner!

 

[Deleted member 1740]

Spot on. They had to pick Stricker or Woods would only be playing singles as no one else lawns to be his playing partner!

They have a very good record together in the pairs format. It will be a very good tournament and I'm confident the euro boys will triumph.

 

[MashieNiblick]

I would have gone for Fowler rather than Furyk as he's a bit of a crowd pleaser as well as being a good player, but the US fans will be whooping and hollering whatever so maybe that isn't a factor.

Furyk is an experienced player but has shown some fagility this year. Lots of previous RC experience but not a great record.

Otherwise I think it is a strong team. I agree with comments above that although Stricker has primarily been chosen to partner Tiger he is a solid player and good competitor in his own right. They may have more rookies but Bradley, Dufner, Simpson and Snedecker are all good players, tough competitors and proven winners. However they say the Ryder Cup is a different type of pressure. Will it be easier or harder for them playing at home?

Wish it was this weekend, cant wait.

That last comment just made me think. When I first got into golf in the early seventies the RC was vitually a non-event. Now it is arguably the best golf viewing out there. Brilliant achievement by the people who made that happen (Jack, Seve, Tony and a bunch of others). Thank you.

 

[JJF69]

Some madness getting posted on this thread. Tell you this practically ever player in that US team would love to be paired with any of the wildcards. Stricker, Furyk, Snedeker all perfect partners, Stricker and Snedeker particularly steady eddys and brilliant putters, perfect for doubles.

Duffner, Simpson weak links????????? Jeepers!

 

[dufferman]

I was watching 'Morning Drive' from the Golf Channel in the USA and they were saying that Europe has an extremely strong team & should be the favorites to win. They then said that the only weakness Europe have is being too confident and too expectant to do well.

Sound like BS from the 'Mericans or some truth to it? It's interesting to see the perspective from the other side of the pond, I thought they would have more confidence in their team!

 

[Snelly]

I bet Europe win.

 

[Dodger]

I bet Europe win.

I have bet Yanks win but that was placed a while back!

USA have a great team and IMO stronger than ours in depth but hey it's matchplay so who knows.