Based on recent PLAY only, would you as captain make Tiger your Ryder choice

[steelernation]

unless he turns it around I wouldnt

[Shindig]

I want to see how he plays at the PGA, but unless he wins and somehow doesn't make the team, no.

The advantage of Tiger on a Ryder Cup team, at least at first, was some small intimidation factor.

The best use of the Captain's picks is to make sure your team matches have good pairings. If you didn't have anyone else to pair Stricker with, and he wanted to go with Tiger, I'd spend the pick.

Note that the suggestions that Azinger should pick Tiger are based on very different reasons than the suggestions for Pavin to make a similar pick.

[Zeph]

Intimidation, not so much as the previous years at least. Could be the opposite actually. Now everyone knows Tiger doesn't play well, might boost them into playing better to beat him. If anything, he's got the factor of being unpredictable, what with his game going all over the place.

[Tiger Spuds]

No way.Depends who he was paired with of course, but in singles you couldn't imagine him picking up too many points.He's never been overly impressive in the Ryder cup anyway, he's certainly not gonna be any better this year if he plays.

[jamo]

You said based on recent play, in which case there is no other choice but to say no. But I would still pick him if I was the captain.

[newtogolf]

It's a double edge sword. Based strictly on play, no, he's off his game, and needs to get back on track. That said, how can you leave the biggest name in golf off the team if he's willing to play. What does not having Tiger on the team do for sponsors, ratings, and the tour?

I'd be concerned that the focus would be Tiger not being on the team, especially if the US team doesn't do well. Nothing in this country is based solely on performance merits, you have to consider the big picture.

[kpaulhus]

Ill quote Tiger "I am going to play my way onto the team"

[Chilli Dipper]

If I was making the captain's picks, my short list of players contending for those four spots would read like this:

Hunter Mahan
Bubba Watson
Ricky Barnes
J.B. Holmes
Ben Crane
Sean O'Hair
Zach Johnson

Anyone else would have to win either this week or next to even enter the discussion. Bo Van Pelt has a better chance than Tiger to make the team right now.

[Shindig]

  newtogolf said:

What does not having Tiger on the team do for sponsors, ratings, and the tour?

The Ryder Cup is unaffiliated with the PGA Tour. Your comment is correct with regards to sponsors and ratings, however.

[kpaulhus]

Why not Rickie Fowler?

[Chilli Dipper]

  kpaulhus said:

Why not Rickie Fowler?

I'd say he's too green for the Ryder Cup stage, plus I'd give preference to players who have won this year.

[kpaulhus]

  Chilli Dipper said:

I'd say he's too green for the Ryder Cup stage, plus I'd give preference to players who have won this year.

Maybe so, but he did well in that amatuer USA vs Europe event before he went pro?

[Tiger Spuds]

  kpaulhus said:

Maybe so, but he did well in that amatuer USA vs Europe event before he went pro?

Didn't he beat Rory 1 on 1 in that?And Rory is one of Europe's main men this year, so why not Rickie for the U.S.?He's playing well enough.Maybe a team with plenty of fearless young players like A.K. and Rickie is exactly what's needed for the U.S. in this one.

I'd pick him ahead of Tiger.

[Chilli Dipper]

  kpaulhus said:

Maybe so, but he did well in that amatuer USA vs Europe event before he went pro?

He's on the second tier with Tiger, Watney, Cink, Van Pelt, Moore, Verplank, Bohn, and Haas, who can easily supplant any of the short-list candidates with top-five finishes at Firestone and/or Whistling Straits.

[steelernation]

The press conference quote..I will play my way onto the team....

Concerns me, I hope they dont give it to him just b/c of who he is. Reminds me of the lame MLB all star voting.


Would it be the biggest slap in the face if he didnt pick Tiger That would either send him into a tailspin or push him to the point of reclusion with his game. THE PLOT THICKENS WITH EVERY POOR OUTING!

[Chilli Dipper]

It's really an academic question on whether Tiger deserves to be a captain's pick. The one thing he needs to be seriously considered (a first-page-of-the-leaderboard result at the PGA) will raise him above the threshold for an AQ spot.

[BASHERBAKER69]

If Tiger does well at the USPGA then he should get the pick for the Ryder Cup- my feeling is that he must qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs first and then see what happens...but he has already just about qualified for the playoffs anyway surely with only next week remaining as a Q event? Anyway, Ricky Barnes, JB Holmes, Ricky Fowler, Bubb Watson, Fred Couples and maybe David Duval could be some of the captains picks. We will see.....

[Underthewind]

Let's look at some factors here:
Tiger isn't necessarily a "Team Player"
His recent play is something I would expect out of Someone outside the top 100 in the world
The United States won in 2008 with NO Tiger Woods
As of late, Tiger's play has been much more conservative. You almost can't watch a tournament where the announcers don't comment on his lack of agression, especially off the tee. You need a fiery agression in Match Play, making some of the younger players really look good as a captain's pick.
Tiger would be playing to prove that he's capable of good play, not for the good of his team/partner at the time.