Ryder Cup Predictions

[Thrash13]

Alright, the talk is almost over, and it's time to make your official Ryder Cup predictions. The Sand Trap staff members' predictions will be up in tomorrow's Thrash Talk, so be sure to check that out as well.

Just give your prediction for final score, high point men, disappointments, surprises, etc. Basically, just type what you want about this week's Ryder Cup.

This way, we can hold each other accountable while the matches are being played.

[Puttin4Bird]

U.S. wins off of another phenominal singles match round. This year we'll keep it closer during the first 2 days and not have to rely totally on sweeping the singles but we'll be behind and have to win in singles and this time we will.

U.S. squad MVP- Jim Furyk co MVP Tiger Woods based on them winning at a team
U.S. squad Hi Point man- Furyk
U.S. squad goat- One of the rookies, Brett Wetterich is my pick.
Euro MVP- Sergio. Until the singles competition he'll do great then lose on Sunday
Euro Hi Point Man- Colin Montgomerie, dude has a thing for the Ryder Cup

[ezmoney5150]

I think If you keep Tiger and Phil apart and put the rookies (Johnson, Wetterich) with those two it might work out for a win for the US. When you put Phil and Tiger together it turns into a contest between Tiger and Phil insead of USA vs. Europe. Let Tiger be a leader with a rookie and let Phil be a leader with a rookie. I think DiMarco is definitley pumped for this one. The President's Cup really helped with the confidence. After watching Stewart Cink battle Tiger at Firestone, I am confident that he's not intimidated by anyone. I just hope David Toms is on and his 5 wood is working.

[Steven McFarlane]

Europe will win i hope :D

[Jeepthrills]

All logic says the Euros should smoke us. I don't know why, but I like the US as an underdog. We have been so bad in the favorites role that this might actually help us.

It's easy to say Tiger will be the high point man, but you have to figure him lose at least one match. It's like any goliath. David always gets up to battle him. I think He and Fyurk will both do well. Lefty has a lot to prove and two years, instead of two days, with his new clubs should help.

I think Chad Campbell could be the swing guy this time. He is soild and steady. Last time he bombed. I think this time out he does fine.

Looking at the rookies, I'm not worried, but I'm not all that impressed either. They are the beneficiaries of the new qualifing standards and I will be supprised if any of them make the team in two years. They are also not traditional rookies. They are all 30+ and have had to grind there ways to where they are.

They guy who worries me is Paul Casey. He was lights out this week. Hopefully he peaked too soon. I do hope that that little punk Sergio goes 0-5. I didn't like his act at the PGA in 1999 and his total dominance at the Ryder Cup makes me hate him more. I think Darren Clarke is their X Factor. He will be a huge rallying point for them. He is an awesome player and if his game is on, the rest of the team will raise up.

[Thrash13]

I think Chad Campbell could be the swing guy this time. He is soild and steady. Last time he bombed. I think this time out he does fine.

That's also my prediction for high-point man for the United States. Nice thinking.

I do disagree about the rookies not making the next Ryder Cup team. I won't speak for all of them, but I think Zach Johnson will be making the team for years to come. This definitely won't be his last. He is way too solid to miss out on these events.

[Jeepthrills]

I do disagree about the rookies not making the next Ryder Cup team. I won't speak for all of them, but I think Zach Johnson will be making the team for years to come. This definitely won't be his last. He is way too solid to miss out on these events.

You are correct. Johnson, is likely to make future teams. I was speaking more figuratively than literally.

[Xt1ncT]

I'm hoping Europe take it out.

I like Casey and Donald together - especially in the foursomes. Luke is so accurate, and whilst not hugely long with his driver, Casey more than makes up for it. Monty together with one of the rookies would work as he's so solid, and Sergio with maybe Westwood. Although Westwood and Clarke always play well together.

I think this year is more closely matched than previous years. Europe are probably stronger in the Ryder Cup experience side of things, whereas USA have more "Stars". I can't wait, it starts 6.55pm here, so I'll have finsihed work and will settle down with a case of beer and watch it through the night......

[Madriver]

All logic says the Euros should smoke us. I don't know why, but I like the US as an underdog. We have been so bad in the favorites role that this might actually help us.

agreed....Paul Casey is hot right now. I hope he peaked at the Match Play Championship. I mean he smoked everyone he played. So I see the Euros winning with Paul Casey and then some unknown smoking the Americans in match play.

[chan]

My Hope US 14.5 - EU 13
Prediction EU 15 - US 13

US Point Getters
3 pts: Woods, DiMarco, Toms
2 pts: Mickleson, Furyk, Johnson, Wetterich
1 pt: Campbell, Taylor, Cink
0 pt: Henry, Verplank
Guess for 4 pts: DiMarco, Woods

EU Point Getters
3 pts: Montgomerie, Harrington
2 pts: Clarke, Donald, Olazabal, Westwood, Garcia, Stenson
1 pt: Casey, Howell, Karlsson
0 pt: McGinley
Guess for 4 pts: Harrington, Montgomerie


In order for US to win:
Survive Day 1 at worst EU 4.5 - US 3.5
Score after day 2: US 8 - EU 8
Win singles

Big 4 players need to have winning record
Middle 4 players need to play .500.
Bottom 4 players can't get shutout in team matches
and 1 player needs to suprise in a singles match


My mock pairings:
(Woods, Johnson) (Mickleson, Toms)
Playing 5 times: Both pairings split team matches. 3 - 1 singles.
7 total points

(Furyk, DiMarco) (Campbell, Henry)
Playing 4 times: One pairing goes 2 -1 in team matches, other pair wins 1 match. 2 - 2 singles
5 total points

(Taylor, Verplank) (Cink, Wetterich)
Playing 2 times: One pair wins a team match. 2 - 2 singles.
3 total points

[MickelsonFlop]

Im a big numbers guy. When you look at the past Ryder Cup records for both teams, its not hard to see that Europe has a lot of vets. I hate saying that the United States goes down, but the numbers dont lie this time.

[Thrash13]

Europe: 15, United States: 13, seems to be a popular prediction right now. Here is a link to this week's Thrash Talk (Sand Trap staff predictions).

Thrash Talk: Ryder Cup Predictions

[Puttin4Bird]

My mock pairings: (Woods, Johnson) (Mickleson, Toms) (Furyk, DiMarco) (Campbell, Henry) (Taylor, Verplank) (Cink, Wetterich)

I can't see Lehman doing any other pairing other than Woods/Furyk. Those guys rocked at the Presidents Cup. Also Mickelson/DiMarco is another pairing I'll bet we see. I do see your point though, putting rookies with Tiger and other experienced players but I just can't imagine Lehman breaking that Tiger/Furyk pairing up, they both say they love playing together as well.

[Thrash13]

**** u, all apart from Tiger ur team is crap, and full of no hopers, Sergio will crush u, u dont have a hope of getting close 2 us and again monty will take out ur so CALLED superstars, while monty who does not have a major yet will beat all ur major winners be it tiger or Big Fat Phil, u need 2 get a grip u wont win!

There are ways to debate topics and ways not to debate topics. This is a good example of how not to do things. There is no reason for the expletives at the beginning of the post. Keep the discussion mature from now on.

[iacas]

There are ways to debate topics and ways not to debate topics. This is a good example of how not to do things. There is no reason for the expletives at the beginning of the post. Keep the discussion mature from now on.

Scottish was given an infraction (note the red flag). He's already been on my radar as someone who ignores PMs. I've sent him a few telling him to correct his email address as his subscription notices are bouncing back. If he fails to correct his email address and to apologize to the forum for what he said above within 24 hours, he'll find himself in the penalty box. Penalty box users can use PMs and read forums, but cannot participate for a set length of time.

[ezmoney5150]

**** u, all apart from Tiger ur team is crap, and full of no hopers, Sergio will crush u, u dont have a hope of getting close 2 us and again monty will take out ur so CALLED superstars, while monty who does not have a major yet will beat all ur major winners be it tiger or Big Fat Phil, u need 2 get a grip u wont win!

Wow!!!! Take it easy, don't get your kilt in a bunch. It's just a game.If the US wins or the Euros win it doesn't matter. There still wont be world peace in the world after the Ryder Cup, so the "F" bomb is uncalled for. You sound like one of those football nuts in England who riot when Manchester United gets a bad call. Go have a Scotch, sit back and re-think your position on this post.

[Jeepthrills]

**** u, all apart from Tiger ur team is crap, and full of no hopers, Sergio will crush u, u dont have a hope of getting close 2 us and again monty will take out ur so CALLED superstars, while monty who does not have a major yet will beat all ur major winners be it tiger or Big Fat Phil, u need 2 get a grip u wont win!

Wow. You are a sad and angry little man. It's a good thing that I have Scottish blood or I would remind you that we are the reason little pukes like you can have the freedom to take shots at us. In fact, if not for us, you would be speaking German and goose stepping arround the Old Course. Remember, Most Americans are just decendants of Europeans that were smart enough to leave.

That said, I now have one more reason to cheer for the US.

[chan]

Pre-singles: Evaluating team performance

Better Ball:
The pair whose 2 balls average closer to ( 6-foot range ) than opponent has distinct advantage toward winning their match.
Shot Link will track this

Birdies win Better Ball.
Magic #: 9 birdies between a pairing


Alternate Shot
A pair who hits more Greens In Regulation puts constant pressure on their opponents.
Magic #: 70%

Scrambling
In alternate shot, recovering for your teammate often is part of the game.
Magic #: 60%


These stats will be available for both captains after Day 1, which they can use to mesh pairings for Day 2.

Team that comes closest to realizing these "magic numbers" will have the coveted 9 - 7 or better lead before Sunday.