You have to pick now...

[Slab]

At the moment I’d be checking the family trees of some of the Asian & colonial lads... we’re gonna get hosed!






Please please please let someone drag this post up in two months and throw it back in my face

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Why do people think we are going to get beaten ( general comment as seen it elsewhere as well )

It's the same everytime the RC comes

 

[Imurg]

Probably because, sooner or later, it's gonna happen......

 

[Slab]

Why do people think we are going to get beaten ( general comment as seen it elsewhere as well )

It's the same everytime the RC comes

Clearly hope I'm wrong but several factors (admittedly formed using the very best in schoolboy logic)

There are 10 Americans in the worlds top 20 & only 5 Europeans
The winning streak can't last forever
They're at home (course set up etc)
We're speculating about European players just inside the top 50 to make up the team, while the US could have another 'B' team in the same criteria

What keeps me hoping is the very very recent form from key players in both camps

 

[Tongo]

Clearly hope I'm wrong but several factors (admittedly formed using the very best in schoolboy logic)

There are 10 Americans in the worlds top 20 & only 5 Europeans
The winning streak can't last forever
They're at home (course set up etc)
We're speculating about European players just inside the top 50 to make up the team, while the US could have another 'B' team in the same criteria

What keeps me hoping is the very very recent form from key players in both camps

Traditionally the US team has always had the higher ranked players, more major winners and could, on paper, field a strong B team. However, in recent years none of that has mattered one jot. With the exception of 2008 Europe has consistently gelled better than the US. Being at home will obviously be an advantage but more of the European players play in the States now so it'll be how they cope with the potentially hostile crowds.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Clearly hope I'm wrong but several factors (admittedly formed using the very best in schoolboy logic)

There are 10 Americans in the worlds top 20 & only 5 Europeans
The winning streak can't last forever
They're at home (course set up etc)
We're speculating about European players just inside the top 50 to make up the team, while the US could have another 'B' team in the same criteria

What keeps me hoping is the very very recent form from key players in both camps

None of that is any different to any previous RC - we have beaten them before with just one player in the Top 10 and having players way down the list - individual performances throughout the year go out the window

The Europeans regardless of World Ranking etc always seem to come together as a team and work as a team - it's something the US team has managed once in nearly two decades at Valhalla where we had a captain who could gel his players together.

Until the US find a way to get their individuals playing as a team then I think Europe will always have the upper hand.

The US team will again have a team full of people who have consistently lost the RC.

They have even gone back to a captain who has previously lost ( even if it was close )

I think it will be very tight this time and think it could be a draw as a few younger guys for the US coming through who seems to gel together

 

[Wilts]

Anyone think about Rahm? seems to always be near the top in the US comps.

Would have him with Westwood and Kaymer

 

[Slab]

None of that is any different to any previous RC - we have beaten them before with just one player in the Top 10 and having players way down the list - individual performances throughout the year go out the window

The Europeans regardless of World Ranking etc always seem to come together as a team and work as a team - it's something the US team has managed once in nearly two decades at Valhalla where we had a captain who could gel his players together.

Until the US find a way to get their individuals playing as a team then I think Europe will always have the upper hand.

The US team will again have a team full of people who have consistently lost the RC.

They have even gone back to a captain who has previously lost ( even if it was close )

I think it will be very tight this time and think it could be a draw as a few younger guys for the US coming through who seems to gel together

I get what you're saying (& hope it turns out to be true again) although gotta pick up the point on individual performances going out the window

I don't think it can be dismissed so easily. Isn't this the very criteria used for picking 3/4 of the European team that's yielded so much success

Plus I think the snippets we hear of Jordan/Rickie etc etc going of on golf trips and guys bunking up together at tour events might suggest that when it comes to team spirit... the times, they are a changing!

 

[Hobbit]

Why do people think we are going to get beaten ( general comment as seen it elsewhere as well )

It's the same everytime the RC comes

I think the European team is in transition. There's more (almost) unknowns qualifying automatically, and some of the recognised top players are getting on a bit.

I'd say Europe are where the US was at the last RC, i.e. a young-ish inexperienced team. And that US team is now older and wiser.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I get what you're saying (& hope it turns out to be true again) although gotta pick up the point on individual performances going out the window

I don't think it can be dismissed so easily. Isn't this the very criteria used for picking 3/4 of the European team that's yielded so much success

Plus I think the snippets we hear of Jordan/Rickie etc etc going of on golf trips and guys bunking up together at tour events might suggest that when it comes to team spirit... the times, they are a changing!

What I meant by the comment is that when the RC starts what the player has done individually throughout the year is irrelevant - in 2008 Harrington for example won two majors but was poor , Woods is a perfect example of dominating the tour then when playing in RC doesn't. It's all down to how players play together and for each other - the US team always has loners and even players who just don't get on and can't get past that

The US do have a few younger guys who are enjoying holidays together and that is what will make it a bit tighter but right now only Spieth is in the top 8 automatic

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I think the European team is in transition. There's more (almost) unknowns qualifying automatically, and some of the recognised top players are getting on a bit.

I'd say Europe are where the US was at the last RC, i.e. a young-ish inexperienced team. And that US team is now older and wiser.

Certainly a very valid point and there will be a few more rookies , which is why I think Clarke will pick guys who have played RC - Hence Westwood and Kaymer being picked and players like Hatton , Johnston and Co missing out - think it's looking like there will be 5 rookies

Sullivan
Wood
Willett
Rafa
Fitzpatrick

That's a strong lineup of rookies who have won big comps or challenged in them

It might mean Lowry misses out unless he makes it automatically

But yep you're right about a few of the older stagers struggling - GMac for one even Rose isn't have a great time ( mainly because of injury )

 

[drewster]

There's a lot of "bubbling under" Europeans playing in the USPGA this week after which it should all become much clearer !!!!! Johnston, Hatton, F Molinari and Pieters all spring to mind. If I had to pick now i'd go Westwood, F Molinari and Thomas Pieters but I think the safe bets as others have stated are Westwood, Kaymer , Lowry.

 

[Deleted member 1418]

No way Lowry will miss out given how well he and Sullivan gelled in that Royal Cup (or whatever it's called) thingy against the Asian players; and given his performance at the US Open (for 3 rounds) and his WGC win.

Cannot see Westwood not getting a pick either - the teams 'elder statesman' (been there, seen it, done it etc). If Kaymer and GMac come anywhere close to a wildcard - unless either of them win the USPGA - then we'll be in trouble!

 

[richart]

No way Lowry will miss out given how well he and Sullivan gelled in that Royal Cup (or whatever it's called) thingy against the Asian players; and given his performance at the US Open (for 3 rounds) and his WGC win.

Cannot see Westwood not getting a pick either - the teams 'elder statesman' (been there, seen it, done it etc). If Kaymer and GMac come anywhere close to a wildcard - unless either of them win the USPGA - then we'll be in trouble!

Would you not take into account experience playing in the States Paul ? Russell Knox is a good call on this basis.

I would go with Westwood, Lowry and Kaymer.

 

[Spuddy]

Anyone think about Rahm? seems to always be near the top in the US comps.

Would have him with Westwood and Kaymer

I don't think he's a European Tour member

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Would you not take into account experience playing in the States Paul ? Russell Knox is a good call on this basis.

I don't think experience of playing in the States matters that much Rich. Russell Knox is an interesting one though. Personally I wouldn't pick him but you never know. I think another one who, if he has a very good USPGA could possibly get in.

 

[Fish]

No way Lowry will miss out given how well he and Sullivan gelled in that Royal Cup (or whatever it's called) thingy against the Asian players; and given his performance at the US Open (for 3 rounds) and his WGC win.!

But he hasn't made the cut AGAIN!

He's not consistent enough for me irrelevant of what he's achieved recently, I really don't get the love for Lowry 🤔

 

[Pin-seeker]

Kaymer is nailed on.
Good to see him playing well again.

 

[BrianM]

Russell Knox will be a definite now in my opinion 😀

 

[GMAC88]

Looks like a fairly weak European team! Matt Fitz doesn't seem like the streaky low man that you often need to be to win RC matches!

Lowry would be in there definitely, Beef and Knox maybe.