Ryder Cup

[GK4Herd]

Americans finished strong yesterday ending up with a 3 point lead. With 12 singles today our odds are good, but we need to get on them early. Momentum is such a big part of these team events.

On a side note...Tiger Woods has gone a long way toward repairing his image in the relationship department with other golfers. From all the articles I've read, he's been extremely active in developing the strategies and game plans for this weekend. He has been getting nothing but great comments about how he has handled himself and even appears to be moving forward with Phil. That's pretty significant since the two have had a cool relationship at best. Arnold and Jack become really good friends after starting out the same way. My first instinct that including Woods as a captain was a mistake by Love because of the distractions that he naturally brings. But that doesn't appear to be the case.

 

[-Olen-]

Americans finished strong yesterday ending up with a 3 point lead. With 12 singles today our odds are good, but we need to get on them early. Momentum is such a big part of these team events.

On a side note...Tiger Woods has gone a long way toward repairing his image in the relationship department with other golfers. From all the articles I've read, he's been extremely active in developing the strategies and game plans for this weekend. He has been getting nothing but great comments about how he has handled himself and even appears to be moving forward with Phil. That's pretty significant since the two have had a cool relationship at best. Arnold and Jack become really good friends after starting out the same way. My first instinct that including Woods as a captain was a mistake by Love because of the distractions that he naturally brings. But that doesn't appear to be the case.

As you have alluded, the singles matches have traditionally been the strongest part of the US game. However, the last two matches have been a reversal of that trend (5.5 to 6.5 and 3.5 to 8.5 in the favor of Europe). With that said, the first six matches will be the key IMO. The US must get a 3-3 split (at worst), otherwise the US will be counting on two rookies and a couple of other guys that have some scars from previous Sunday meltdowns (Kuchar and Snedeker in 2012).

I've been impressed with Woods' presence as a vice-captain, esp. taking the time to walk the course with Patrick Reed before the competition started. From an interview about that experience, Reed talked about how Woods gave him some insight on how Woods dissects a golf course for competition, and that it is very obvious stuff but that few players actually utilize. Said it will likely change his mindset about golf courses going forward - which is a good thing for both Reed and US team golf going forward.

The Mickelson-Woods thing was naturally icy because of the competitiveness of the two and the different personalities. I'm not surprised as they both navigate the twilight of their PGA experiences that the relationship is warming, esp. with the likelihood that both are soon going to be given captaincies. I would not be surprised for each to serve as vice-captain to the other given the desire to win and given that both have been at the forefront of pushing the development of a "program" for US team golf.

 

[MARSHALL77]

BOOM - Finally back on the correct side of the pond.

Two matches finishing at this time - its over however , USA captures the Ryder Cup.

Lefty and Sergio were something to watch as well as the Mcllroy / Reed match.

Ton of emotions and birdies galore

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