2010 Ryder Cup

[Lefty-Golfer]

Being an Aussie, I am basically neutral

You start the post with claiming to basically nuetral and finish with 5 reasons why you dislike the Americans....yea very nuetral. I do love the fact that left the wives alone...oh wait you didn't. you then go on to speak of bad taste...of which you obviously know quite a bit about.

If you want to lie to yourself fine but try to be honest when you post.

[Shorty]

You start the post with claiming to basically nuetral and finish with 5 reasons why you dislike the Americans....yea very nuetral. I do love the fact that left the wives alone...oh wait you didn't. you then go on to speak of bad taste...of which you obviously know quite a bit about.

You must have missed the bit where I said I like most of the 2010 players. I am hoping (and expecting) that 2010 is beter than previous events. But Pavin, seems to have turned the clock backwards with his apparent military obsession. But if you approve of this, and people running onto greens whilst matches are in progress that's fine.

So....to reiterate....I am neutral, but don't think think much of Pavin. The other 2010 Americans I like.

[JWL1957]

You must have missed the bit where I said I like most of the 2010 players. I am hoping (and expecting) that 2010 is beter than previous events. But Pavin, seems to have turned the clock backwards with his apparent military obsession. But if you approve of this, and people running onto greens whilst matches are in progress that's fine.

You seem to forget that the "WAR BY THE SHORE" was started in the UK by the tabloids. The americans just reversed the humor and ran with it. Pavin is not the devil that you make him out to be.

[bogie]

Weather Forecast
http://www.myweather2.com/Golf-Cours...or-Resort.aspx
Media Links
http://www.rydercup.com/2010/usa/mul...live_video.cfm

http://www.rydercup.com/2010/usa/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/6103550.stm

http://www.thegolfchannel.com/

7:45 AM -- Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson (USA) vs. Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer (EUR)
8:00 AM -- Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar (USA) vs. Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell (EUR)
8:15 AM -- Steve Stricker and Tiger Woods (USA) vs. Ian Poulter and Ross Fisher (EUR)
8:30 AM -- Bubba Watson and Jeff Overton (USA) vs. Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington (EUR)
“Each Team Captain independently submits the order of play for his Team to the appointed tournament official. The lists from each Captain are matched, resulting in the ‘Pairings’. Please note that the Team Captains can modify the players in pairings only if a player is ill or injured. Pairings are subject to change and should not be considered final until play begins for a particular match.”
US 4-ball pairings:
*1st three pairings exactly as practice rounds went.
* Overton/Watson is an eye-raiser. Based on personality I wouldn’t have paired them together. On paper certainly Donald & Harrington have the pedigree, but Harrington has been up & down this season and Donald’s been scoring his ball well but spraying his tee shots. My guess this match is going to ebb back and forth and come down to the last 2 holes.
* The press has criticized Pavin for opening with 4 rookies including pairing 2 together. The 4 rookies part is no problem as multiple rookies have played substantial roles for Europe in 1997 and the U.S. in 2006.
* If I were Pavin: I’d change the order by moving D. Johnson/Mickleson down to the 2 spot and move Cink/Kuchar up to the 1 spot.
* Reason: Kaymer/Westwood while long enough off the tee are at their best grinding you down with their iron game. In my scenario the U.S. could hope Westwood is off slightly and maybe the steadiness of Cink/Kuchar could eke out a tie late.
* D. Johnson/Mickleson can be wild, but so can McIlroy. McDowell is obviously the reliable player of the 4. In general, my scenario would be pitting streaky with streaky, trading birdies and bogies equally. From a non-strategy standpoint, pure fan point of view D. Johnson and McIlroy trading shots could be very exciting.

European 4-ball pairings
* 2 pairings exactly as announced and practices went.
* It’s a small surprise that Donald and Poulter aren’t together. Donald seems to fit in anywhere so maybe Fisher/Poulter have history together at some point?
* If I were Montogmerie: I’d change the order and move Fisher/Poulter up to the 1 slot and have Kaymer/Westwood move down to the 3 slot.
Reasons: Woods is struggling with his swing, Stricker's putter has gone cool that last few weeks. Kaymer and Westwood are in form, so go for the jugular. Every point is equal, but the psychological boost from beating a Woods pairing always infuses confidence in the EUROS and revs up Ole, Ole Oles from the crowd.

Alternate Shot implications
US: Z. Johnson/Mahan
Fowler/Furyk

EU: E & F Molinari
Jimenez/Hanson

Best played match (as set-up right now): #1. Swing match (as set up-right now): #4.

Additional comments: No Mahan in the morning.
*My belief its best to get everybody involved on Day 1.
* From a personality standpoint, most players are amped up. But Mahan not having the possibility of playing all 4 times could be an unintentional burr in his saddle to propel him to success in these matches.
* In “Cracking the Code” Azinger said that of all players who do all 4 team sessions lose their singles match 75% of the time. (I haven’t confirmed this.) A fresher Mahan & Furyk could be a big boost for the American cause on Sunday.
*All these positive “ifs” are great only if a 2-2 tie happens in the morning.

Unfortunately for Pavin, the EUROS have made it a habit of steamrolling the Americans in morning 4-balls.

Conclusion
Game on! All the pre-game chatter (including my blather is over) and the answers will be revealed on the course. To all those who have been reading my posts, enjoy the matches and hopefully the result will still be in the balance late on Sunday. What I hope will happen: US 14.5 to EU 13.5

Prediction: EU 15 to US 13

[bogie]

Two quotes: 1 by are recent U.S. Captain and 1 by a future EURO captain.

"Anybody who doesn't feel his legs tremble must be a dead man."--Jose Maria Olazabal

"...You should look at the opponent you're playing and say to yourself on that first tee, I just don't want him to celebrate at my expense."--Paul Azinger

[acj990]

1 hour until TEE OFF! Anyone going to be up to chat about what happens during the coverage, at least for awhile...?

[motteler621]

mark my words johnson and michelson will win for sure and Im glad bogie wasnt the captain because I dont agree with most of what he said,lol. he said westwood was in form, the guy hasnt played in 2 months from surgury, lol

[bananas]

I will. Untill I fall asleep. I'm on the west coast.

[senorchipotle]

minus rickie fowler, the u.s. team looks like a basketball squad.

[BallStriker]

Friggin rain....are they going to stop this thing?

[wrx_junki]

Why isn't the live coverage working?

[Zeph]

Bad luck with the weather, hope it gets better. The players are really struggling in the rough. Phil's either cold or worried he'll drop the clubs, so he's wearing two gloves.

[Jack]

Can't see them carrying on for too much longer unless this rain stops. Huge puddles appearing all over the course now!

[BallStriker]

Conditions are just friggin brutal......guess everyone has to play the in the same shit.....

[wrx_junki]

Sick putt by Overton.

[billysandy]

Can't see them carrying on for too much longer unless this rain stops. Huge puddles appearing all over the course now!

I am not sure they will bother delaying it.

[Tiger Spuds]

The rain will get less and less as the morning goes on, hopefully be gone by afternoon. Give them a few more holes and they'll be used to it anyway. I think they're already playing decent golf considering the conditions.

Btw, what was Paddy doing hitting his second shot when the previous group were still on the green.? It's the Ryder cup.!

[xxsoultonesxx]

Sick putt by Overton.

Very nice! Get that momentum while we can!