Name Your Team USA Ryder Cup Squad

[Silent]

In 2012 Tiger lost all his macthes in the Ryder Cup. And back then it seems he was in better form and shape then he is now.

[late347]

Tiger over Webb.  Webb brings nothing to the table.  Watson even hinted at taking Tiger during the PGA, effectively saying "He's a little hurt and not playing well, but in the end, he IS Tiger Woods."

take out Webb and replace with Ryan Palmer, he's on a hot-streak

[Chilli Dipper]

Tiger over Webb.  Webb brings nothing to the table.  Watson even hinted at taking Tiger during the PGA, effectively saying "He's a little hurt and not playing well, but in the end, he IS Tiger Woods."

Before Bridgestone, I would have agreed, but not anymore. He role on the team would have been as the aggressive partner during the four-ball sessions, and he just can't go after the shot without risking injury to his back. He can't promise being fit to complete three sessions, let alone all five, so he's out.

[Gunther]

I'm not sure Tiger even wants to play at this point. His presser on Fri seemed to hint that he's hanging up the clubs for some time to focus on his health, getting stronger, etc. I believe that was a message to Tom and others. Don't think he'll be there.

[Wally Fairway]

Tiger over Webb.  Webb brings nothing to the table.  Watson even hinted at taking Tiger during the PGA, effectively saying "He's a little hurt and not playing well, but in the end, he IS Tiger Woods."

I would lose some respect for Watson, as the Ryder Cup captain, if he were to pick Tiger.

Nobody forced Tom to make all the comments about Tiger being healthy and seeing how he was playing to earn a spot.

It would make me wonder how much pressure there was from higher powers as in TV rights (aka NBC) to put Tiger on the team.

[FarawayFairways]

I would play him in Friday and Saturday Four Ball only where he has a partner to help carry him if he struggles.

You can't possibly select a player based on the understanding that its the job of his partner to carry him!!! It's not fair on a rookie like Jordan to ask him to take two Europeans single handedly on their home patch. If you're even remotely thinking in terms of how you can best hide Tiger Woods then the answer is straight forward. 4000 miles away.

Hell I'd rather pick Tom Watson to play foursomes ahead of Woods to play fourballs under these circumstances

Woods has never been a factor in Ryder Cup before, and hasn't been part of a winning team this century. What on earth have you seen in his form that marks him out as turning that round this year that no one else has?

If you insist on playing him (and God only knows why?) then you'd be better off asking him to play the singles only, or perhaps getting injured on Saturday night and at least reducing the final day to eleven aside

[ChrisP]

If the Captain's picks were today, I think Keegan and Snedeker would be 2 of the choices, and unless they play absolutely horrible these last few weeks, they should stay as the top 2 options.

The last one is going to go to the hottest hand, and if nobody is hot, then I think Tiger becomes a possibility.

[RJH999]

If the Captain's picks were today, I think Keegan and Snedeker would be 2 of the choices, and unless they play absolutely horrible these last few weeks, they should stay as the top 2 options.  The last one is going to go to the hottest hand, and if nobody is hot, then I think Tiger becomes a possibility.

I think Tom would have to be batshit ****ing insane to take Tiger. I would rather have Brian Harman on the team. I think Moore, Simpson, or Mahan are better options.

[FarawayFairways]

I don't see how he becomes a possibility Chris, when there's nothing tangible to pin the decision on. The best you're going to get is Tiger's own reports of his fitness. Just what is his record since he came back from the operation. It's not even remotely close to being good enough to compete at this level of intensity

Dan Marino doubtless has a better career record than Ryan Tannehill, but Miami don't pick him?

I was just looking at the possible line up Europe could field on that first morning

Rory McIlroy/ Sergio Garcia

Justin Rose/ Ian Poulter

Lee Westwood/ Graeme McDowell

Martin Kaymer/ Henrik Stenson

That could be 4-0 and game over. You can't be thinking in terms of carrying walking wounded. America has to come straight out the gates from the moment they open

[Gunther]

I'd love to see Erik Compton get a shot, far-fetched, I know. Not sure he could play 4 or 5 matches given his health issues but the cooler weather there might allow it. Would like to see him go on a tear over the next few weeks and get himself into contention.

[Grndslmhttr3]

Tiger being on the Ryder Cup team would be akin to Derek Jeter starting this year's all-star game

[ChrisP]

I don't see how he becomes a possibility Chris, when there's nothing tangible to pin the decision on. The best you're going to get is Tiger's own reports of his fitness. Just what is his record since he came back from the operation. It's not even remotely close to being good enough to compete at this level of intensity

Dan Marino doubtless has a better career record than Ryan Tannehill, but Miami don't pick him?

I was just looking at the possible line up Europe could field on that first morning

Rory McIlroy/ Sergio Garcia

Justin Rose/ Ian Poulter

Lee Westwood/ Graeme McDowell

Martin Kaymer/ Henrik Stenson

That could be 4-0 and game over. You can't be thinking in terms of carrying walking wounded. America has to come straight out the gates from the moment they open

Not saying it's likely. Just saying it becomes a possibility if no one else stands out.

Btw, as well as Mickelson/Bradley played 2 years ago, I think Mickelson/Fowler would be a strong team that can give any Euro team a tough outing. I also think Walker could be a sneaky good team player. Pair him with Zach Johnson and that'd be another tough team to contend with.

[FarawayFairways]

'possibility' is such a catch all word though Chris, and will always apply. I'm just trying to reverse engineer the selection process and can't really conceive of a situation where the possibility exists though. Make a list out in your own mind of the conditions that you would require Tiger to satisfy, and then ask where you're going to see the evidence that makes you comfortable that he's met them? I can see that your point was largely based on a negative pick, that is to say it's akin to there being nothing else left, and he's in by default, but Gleneagles has a couple of key holes 14 & 16 which are risk and reward big hitting assignments. The way Tiger is at the moment I wouldn't let him anywhere near them. I'd be more persuaded by those of you advocating letting JB Holmes have a go at them to be honest

Funny you should say that Fowler and Phil would make a partnership. I was thinking who on the American side I'd swap for a European player. Those were the only two names I came up with

I'd have Rickey for Donaldson and Phil for Bjorn

Anyway, here's the PGA course guide. It closes this week for prep incidentally

http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/golf-courses/pga-centenary-course/virtual-course-guide

[RJH999]

'possibility' is such a catch all word though Chris, and will always apply. I'm just trying to reverse engineer the selection process and can't really conceive of a situation where the possibility exists though. Make a list out in your own mind of the conditions that you would require Tiger to satisfy, and then ask where you're going to see the evidence that makes you comfortable that he's met them? I can see that your point was largely based on a negative pick, that is to say it's akin to there being nothing else left, and he's in by default, but Gleneagles has a couple of key holes 14 & 16 which are risk and reward big hitting assignments. The way Tiger is at the moment I wouldn't let him anywhere near them. I'd be more persuaded by those of you advocating letting JB Holmes have a go at them to be honest Funny you should say that Fowler and Phil would make a partnership. I was thinking who on the American side I'd swap for a European player. Those were the only two names I came up with I'd have Rickey for Donaldson and Phil for Bjorn Anyway, here's the PGA course guide. It closes this week for prep incidentally [URL=http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/golf-courses/pga-centenary-course/virtual-course-guide]http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/golf-courses/pga-centenary-course/virtual-course-guide[/URL]

How bout ol' Jim as one of the Euro Captains picks?!

[FarawayFairways]

I actually quite like Jim Furyk. He might be considered, but I'd also be asking who I'd drop? In Ryder Cup Jim's got a particularly ropey record (more so than Phil). I suspect Phil's issues can be solved if someone sticks a rocket up his arse

[RJH999]

I actually quite like Jim Furyk. He might be considered, but I'd also be asking who I'd drop? In Ryder Cup Jim's got a particularly ropey record (more so than Phil). I suspect Phil's issues can be solved if someone sticks a rocket up his arse

Yeah the big issue is that he has a poor RC record. But he has had a better year than Phil, Donald, Poulter, Westwood, Donaldson, and Bjorn.

[Chris223]

so Tiger is not scheduled to play between now and the Ryder Cup, and he failed to make the playoffs obviously.  If Tiger has the desire to make the Ryder Cup which we would all presume he does - why doesn't he go out and play this week at the Wyndham for example?  It's not exactly a tournament with a stacked field typically.  If he feels he's physically good to go - why not go out and play, win the damn thing like a healthy Tiger could, and pretty much be picked at that point?  Tournament like that should be a walk in the park for a healthy Tiger.

[FarawayFairways]

I don't know whether Tom's fallen into the Tigers Web, or whether he's been quoted accurately in context, but his latest blatherings are a worry that he's starting to lose the plot now

"The answer can only come from Tiger. I am confident he will give us an honest answer," Watson said.

Ugh...... does the title " Captain Watson" mean anything to you Tom. Look you've procrastinated long enough over this, to try and abborgate your own responsibility to someone who is clearly emotionally too close to the epicentre to be relied upon is darn right irresponsible at best, and cowardly at worst. You're the captain and you have responsibility to build a team ethic and not give the impression that you react as soon as Tiger pulls your string. You said yourself that you wanted to see evidence of form and fitness, well on that threshold he's spectacularly failed on both counts. Think yourself lucky. What if he'd made top 50? , you'd have something to cling to then. As it happens he's failed on any possible measure you could possibly invoke. Clear the decks now and start to concentrate on building what you've got left, unless of course you're admitting that Tiger Woods picks the team, in which step down and ask him to take over

Watson continued

"The biggest question is his health and right next to that it is how is he playing,"

Well if that's the case, it's no different to where you were at the Open when you said you'd try and find him for a chat. This doesn't look good on you Tom, and it's bound to start to corrode the team morale when the Captain is so preoccupied about player who hasn't shown anything like the level of form they've been required to, adn whom your seemingly admitting will be selected provided he says he woke one day and felt a bit better. It damages morale Tom. It has to. The best teams are those of equals, not those where different rules apply to different individuals.

At the very least give him an ultimatum to play in Europe and prove his fitness. If he refuses, then tell him you've heard and seen enough, and that you'll make the decision for him. Thank him for the courage he's shown in trying to get himself ready (and I believe he has) but simply tell him that you believe the clock has beaten him

Now I'm trying to be nice to Tom and cut him as much latitude as I can. I'm hoping that he's basically invited Tiger to step aside, and given him the revolver and bottle of scotch if he isn't going to play again. There is no way Tiger Woods can be expected to self-diagnose his fitness though. That's unfair on him, and not a little bit sneaky on Tom's part (in fact its borderline appalling)

If Tiger says he's fit and plays badly that Toms been lied to by dishonest Tiger (the corner that Tom has painted him into). If Tiger says he's fit and plays well, Tom is a tactical genius for allowing him all the time needed and taking it up to the wire

Very naughty. He's let this soap opera run long enough now in the hope that the storyline might develop. It hasn't. In fact it's got worse. Now it's your turn Tom to earn your money and make the decision. Tiger's tried to do what was asked of him, but is palpably injured. Very rarely are injured players a benefit to any team, in any sport.