Ryder Cup

[Feña14]

^^^^^

That's true I suppose. I wasn't too surprised to see Rose win though, he's number 5 in the world and has been very good the last year or two. Same for Lawrie, he's been incredible on the European tour for awhile now.

I was very worried when it became clear it would come down to Kaymer, he was tempted to pull out, his form has been that bad. He said he wouldn't want to let them team down. Luckily he didn't and was the one to get the win to retain the trophy.

[jamesblakefan#1]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

To be honest most of the singles matches Europe won you would have favored them to win:

Donald vs Watson- Last years best player in the World would be the odds on favorite.

Poulter vs Simpson- I favored Poulter, he is always really tough in match play type format, as well as team format. Plus was on fire this event.

McIlroy vs Bradley- Well Bradley was having a great event so it was a tough call, but it is still hard to bet against the current best player in the World.

Mickelson vs Rose- OK this was a surprise I admit. Mickelson played well though, still lost.

Snedeker vs Lawrie- meh, did anyone know. Both had sucked this event so far.

Furyk vs Garcia- I would have favored Garcia for this one. Furyk is getting a little long in the tooth these days.

Kuchar vs Westwood- definitely would have favored Westwood who has been a top 3 or 4 golfer for years now in this one.

Stricker vs Kaymer- Stricker has been poor this event so far, so not surprised he lost even to the slumping former World #1 Kaymer who was sat out of most previous matches so hard to guage form here.

The U.S also won one I wouldnt have picked them to win with Z. Johnson beating McDowell which basically negates the Rose vs Mickelson result.

Could have figured home turf would've evened the odds a bit. It seemed to the first two days.

[dParis]

Originally Posted by Feña14

As for the sporting year for Britian, I read this in an article earlier...

Has 2012 been the best year for sport in Great Britain? After this, there can surely be no doubt.

I would think that the Ryder Cup serves as a bi-annual reminder to the British that they needed to rally the rest of the continent in order to compete.

-------

Sunday made me sick to my stomach but still, it was a great event. Congrats to Europe.

Medinah, which I think is often an overrated course, was at its very best. Gorgeous. What a venue.

The "front loading" of Sunday's singles played into European hands. I thought this Saturday night when I saw Sunday's match ups. DL III should have put Stinker and Furyk out 1-2 as cannon fodder at least. Old men like to play early, too and SS didn't need to wait around the putting green all morning thinking about how bad he had been all weekend. Bubba 3rd would have kept the crowd's powder dry longer, possibly giving the home team a well timed pick up. I think he would have been a good match up with Rory. Finally, if Bradley went out with Woods Saturday afternoon in place of Stricker, I think they win their match and leave the Europeans no hope.

- dParis, 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup Capitan

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by dParis

I would think that the Ryder Cup serves as a bi-annual reminder to the British that they needed to rally the rest of the continent in order to compete.

Yeah, because Westwood, Donald, Poulter, Rose, Lawrie, McDowell and McIlroy.. 4 of the top 5 ranked players in the world being British means we couldn't compete

[dParis]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Yeah, because Westwood, Donald, Poulter, Rose, Lawrie, McDowell and McIlroy.. 4 of the top 5 ranked players in the world being British means we couldn't compete

USA 19 - 3 GB&I

USA 7 - 10 Europe

Just sayin'.

[hollywood9826]

Originally Posted by jamesblakefan#1

Plus, let's be fair, not to take anything away from the Euros but if Tiger wins his match (which he should've) it would've been 14-14 and the Euros would've only retained on a technicality and not 'won' outright, which I'll never understand. Why not go to extra holes to determine an outright winner instead of ties arbitrarily going to the defending champ?

If you have the title you should have to outright lose. I dont have a problem with the tie goes to the champ.

Originally Posted by jamesblakefan#1

Let's be honest. He gave up mentally once the Euros celebrated. If everything was on the line, you really think Tiger misses those last putts? I doubt it.

I agree, and Molinari had already chocked that 17th hole up I wouldnt have truested him at all.

Originally Posted by dParis

USA 19 - 3 GB&I

USA 7 - 10 Europe

Just sayin'.

Its more of a numbers game than anything. I think the way it is better than seeing blowouts al the time.




I think the worst decision was benching Mickelson and Bradley when they were steam rolling everyone.

[NadalAgassi]

Originally Posted by jamesblakefan#1

Could have figured home turf would've evened the odds a bit. It seemed to the first two days.

Yeah that is true. Before the day I thought the U.S would win too. I guess I just looked at the matchups in hindsight and they werent that surprising of results which is why I would feel unfair just saying the U.S choked it away, but can understand why others do, especialy losing some matches on the 18th green. The first 4 matches of the day were all really good golf I thought though, the U.S lost each, and it was already tied.

Stricker was the one who blew it most, not just Sunday, but all event long. I feel sorry for Tiger having been saddled with him in the 4 ball.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by dParis

USA 19 - 3 GB&I

USA 7 - 10 Europe

Just sayin'.

Yeah, because golf hasn't changed in 40 years!

I think Great Britain and Ireland would of had a far greater chance of winning it than Europe would of on their own, I suppose that serves as a reminder of how much Europe need Britain!

[dParis]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Yeah, because golf hasn't changed in 40 years!

You're right. I hear the team flight from Europe nowadays has only a couple of players on it because most of the team already lives over here!

I think Great Britain and Ireland would of had a far greater chance of winning it than Europe would of on their own, I suppose that serves as a reminder of how much Europe need Britain!

Let that be a lesson to Europe. But without the continental shot in the arm, particularly from the Spaniards, GB&I wouldn't have fared much differently since than they had previous to the union - being dominated while claiming an odd victory every decade or so.

[stringertom]

Seve was in every Euro player's heart and on their shirtsleeves this week, whether from the Continent or the Isles. Also, a Continental delivered the decisive putt.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by dParis

You're right. I hear the team flight from Europe nowadays has only a couple of players on it because most of the team already lives over here!



Let that be a lesson to Europe. But without the continental shot in the arm, particularly from the Spaniards, GB&I wouldn't have fared much differently since than they had previous to the union - being dominated while claiming an odd victory every decade or so.

I think the change to a European team was the best thing that could of happened to Ryder Cup. It's basically the PGA Tour against the European Tour, which makes sense.

The competition is more competitive than it's ever been, even losing you are guarenteed to see an all out battle. Not to mention the influence of Seve, Olazabal, Garcia etc.. over the years. GB and Ireland could more than compete on their own in this day and age, but having the rest of Europe there makes it more special.

[jamesblakefan#1]

Originally Posted by NadalAgassi

To be honest most of the singles matches Europe won you would have favored them to win:

Donald vs Watson- Last years best player in the World would be the odds on favorite.

Poulter vs Simpson- I favored Poulter, he is always really tough in match play type format, as well as team format. Plus was on fire this event.

McIlroy vs Bradley- Well Bradley was having a great event so it was a tough call, but it is still hard to bet against the current best player in the World.

Mickelson vs Rose- OK this was a surprise I admit. Mickelson played well though, still lost.

Snedeker vs Lawrie- meh, did anyone know. Both had sucked this event so far.

Furyk vs Garcia- I would have favored Garcia for this one. Furyk is getting a little long in the tooth these days.

Kuchar vs Westwood- definitely would have favored Westwood who has been a top 3 or 4 golfer for years now in this one.

Stricker vs Kaymer- Stricker has been poor this event so far, so not surprised he lost even to the slumping former World #1 Kaymer who was sat out of most previous matches so hard to guage form here.

The U.S also won one I wouldnt have picked them to win with Z. Johnson beating McDowell which basically negates the Rose vs Mickelson result.

I know this is WAYYY late, but your views are a bit simplistic.

Watson - Masters champion, plus thrives in front of the home crowd. Wouldn't have been a surprise had he won that one.

Simpson - US Open champion, #5 player in the world

Bradley - major champion, but tough draw against Rory so that one was one the Euros should have taken.

Mickelson - 50/50, could have come out and played brilliantly or choked.

Kuchar - has a good match play record, and Westwood isn't known for being a mental giant in big events either.

Tiger - still no golfer in the world better in big time clutch situations.

It's not as if the US should have been blown out the way they were, even on paper. None of the Euros save for Rory are truly 'great' golfers, they're about even with the Americans all things considered. US just massively choked.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by jamesblakefan#1

Simpson - US Open champion, #5 player in the world

He's 8th, Rose is 5th.

[jamesblakefan#1]

Originally Posted by Feña14

He's 8th, Rose is 5th.

This is true, my bad. But, I think I recall someone saying earlier that on paper the Euros should have won the singles? I beg to differ, US has more players top 10, more top 20, and was playing at home. True the Euros were stronger at the top w/ Rory/Westwood/Donald, but the US's depth should have been the deciding factor, and was for the first two days. Europe just didn't roll over and seemed to want it more in the end.

How big is the Ryder Cup over there? I know it seems to be a big feather in the cap for the Euros and their team, but by and large the American public don't seem to care that much about it, seeing as how it's in the meat of the NFL season.

Tiger seems to have changed though, offering apologies for his poor play at least.
http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/8...p-rookies-play

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by jamesblakefan#1

This is true, my bad. But, I think I recall someone saying earlier that on paper the Euros should have won the singles? I beg to differ, US has more players top 10, more top 20, and was playing at home. True the Euros were stronger at the top w/ Rory/Westwood/Donald, but the US's depth should have been the deciding factor, and was for the first two days. Europe just didn't roll over and seemed to want it more in the end.

How big is the Ryder Cup over there? I know it seems to be a big feather in the cap for the Euros and their team, but by and large the American public don't seem to care that much about it, seeing as how it's in the meat of the NFL season.

Tiger seems to have changed though, offering apologies for his poor play at least.
http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/8...p-rookies-play

Yeah, we seem to have more strength at the top of the rankings (4 out of the top 5 in the world), but America probably have more strength in depth.

As for how big it is, it's huge! The moment it finishes, everybody is talking about and looking forward to the next one. It's something that people who aren't fans of the game, or even sport in general watch. It captivates people, even when we were 10-4 down at one point, it's something you can't take your eyes off.