Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Pieters giving DC something to think about - unfortunately Lowry isn't......
You have to pick now...
- Thread starter Imurg
- Start date
Agreed, but that's just a post from a troll. I was just saying you have some of the most EU tinted spectacles I've come across in a while in a long post and there's no harm in balance and then still concluding we will win!
Spieth still has 2 PGA tour wins this season and was arguably 1 swing away from the Masters - sure he hasn't reached the heights he set in 2015 but still highly formidable. Rickie Fowler has a very good birdie percentage - this season he has chucked in too many doubles and worse, he will be a very tough fourball player. But you're right, they're not in the best of form but they'll be in 4 highly competitive fields in the next 4 weeks and have the chance to find some (or looking at it the other way get fatigued).
Also agree there's a large element of team play required. It's widely accepted that we tend to perform greater than the sum of our parts and the Yanks worse, and it's usually enough to secure victory (in recent history) and long may that continue!
Faldono1fan
Club Champion
Ah Ok. Not posted in a while so not sure who is trolling. 
Take your point. No doubt the Americans do have quality players, but so do Europe and I don't think there is as huge a gulf in quality that people are making out. Add to that the better team spirit that exists and in my view I expect to see Europe win again.(hopefully!)
Take your point. No doubt the Americans do have quality players, but so do Europe and I don't think there is as huge a gulf in quality that people are making out. Add to that the better team spirit that exists and in my view I expect to see Europe win again.(hopefully!)
Westwood, Knox, and Kaymer for me. Westwood wouldnt have made it in other recent cup years, but concerned about the number of rookies in the team. Only consolation is that the US team will look weakish in its bottom half as well.
Rors has to be on a good week rather than an ah-shucks-throw-in-the-towel week for us to have a chance I think.
Rors has to be on a good week rather than an ah-shucks-throw-in-the-towel week for us to have a chance I think.
DCB
Well-known member
Think we need a bit of experience and knowledge of the american style courses.
Going by form up until today, I'd take Westwood, Kaymer and Donald. Think Donald is just currently a little more in form than McDowell and Knox.
Going by form up until today, I'd take Westwood, Kaymer and Donald. Think Donald is just currently a little more in form than McDowell and Knox.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Thought about it, and I'd be going Knox, Westwood and Pieters. Forget having so many rookies, they're not true rookies anymore. These are experienced, top players. You pick your best team, and for me, those three have to be picked.
Hacker Khan
Yurt Dwelling, Yoghurt Knitter
Westwood is in as Chubby Chandler (possibly accidentally) gave the game away on a Golf Digest podcast last week. After that I'd go Knox and Kaymer.
paddyc
Challenge Tour Pro
Donald in better from than Knox, you are having a laugh!! For me Knox has to go on his consistent form over the season. a WGC win and a PGA tour victory, along with Westwood and Kaymer
Norrin Radd
Tour Winner
with Westwood not playing in Denmark this week must have told you that he is playing in the RC as a pick
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Pieters has to be picked now, surely? He's in exceptional form.
Whydowedoit
Hacker
Excellent form & win from Pieters. Playing well at the moment. Westwood has been very consistent & with his experience has to have a pick. Kaymer has become more consistent recently which says he is on the up & again offers experience. Knox has had a good couple of years in the US & would be a good pick also. Between those four. But here's a question. What about Chris Wood? Has a recurring neck injury. Can he actually make the team? Perhaps those four will all get in? Another question, & I should really know the answer, but what happens in the Ryder Cup if in say foursomes, one player gets an injury & cannot continue? What's the protocol? Can a replacement be called in or is the match over? Seriously cant remember!
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
It's going to be hard on whoever misses out but I have a feeling DC's going to go with form....
Kaymer. Knox and Pieters now.
Pieters, I think has to go after the last month he's had...
Knox has played well in America this year
Kaymers's run into better form than he took into Medinah....
Westy could be in trouble........
Kaymer. Knox and Pieters now.
Pieters, I think has to go after the last month he's had...
Knox has played well in America this year
Kaymers's run into better form than he took into Medinah....
Westy could be in trouble........
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Believe Westwood is a shoe in and has been for a long time especially when DC knew there was going to be a big number of rookies making the automatic team
With 5 already in the team would be amazed if he picked two more so can see Kaymer getting one
The last space imo will be between Lowry , Pieters ( who has put himself in the mix ) and Knox
Right now i would lean towards Pieters but could see him picking Lowry
Pin-seeker
Well-known member
I like Westwood,but no way should he be getting a pick.
I'd be happy with the 3 you mention.
But I still can't see us winning this time tbh 😣
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Can't see Lowry getting the nod. Too inconsistent. If it's on form then Pieters would seem the obvious choice but I would suggest Knox as a player based in the US and playing well enough. Westwood Kaymer and Knox for me. Will definitely be an interesting choice.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I'm coming round to the theory of "Sod experience, pick form players".
Experience means nowt of you're not on form.
Knox - a WGC plus a PGA Tour win, Pieters - 3 wins in short order plus plenty of good finishes.
Who needs experience.....?
Experience means nowt of you're not on form.
Knox - a WGC plus a PGA Tour win, Pieters - 3 wins in short order plus plenty of good finishes.
Who needs experience.....?
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
You need it in the Ryder Cup - need to have the good mix - something Europe have done well to find. Form is a strange thing in golf - players can be untouchable one week then a mare the next.
When coming into the foursomes and fourballs - having players like Westwood and Kaymer who have both performed within the highest pressure is invaluable , both have shown to be perfect partners for rookies in the past as well as off the course as well. Going in with 7 rookies would be a big risk that I just can't see him taking.
One Planer
Global Moderator
On the flip side, why would you pick players purely on experience who are currently out of nick and struggling to piece together competitive scores?
No good being there if you're not going to be competitive.
D
Deleted member 15344
Guest
Because when it comes to the Ryder Cup the European players find a way to play as a team regardless of people's form before hand and gel together - even if one player is off form he still contributes in some way
The US concentrate on single player form - the Europeans concentrate on the team environment and have to done for decades. Plenty of players have played despite form issues and provided an input or played their part
One Planer
Global Moderator
So why not pick Faldo, Jiminez and Olazabal?
I get your point Phil I really do, but I cannot understand why you would pick someone purely on experience over someone in form.
To coin an example from another sport, why did the then England manager pick Wilshire ahead of Drinkwater in the previous Euros?
Experience vs form?
Mcilroy has great experience of the Ryder Cup, yet his current form (... And putting) is shocking.
Europeans will always gel as a team regardless who is picked purely as there are less egos to clash.
