2014 Ryder Cup Discussion Thread

[Silent]

'Working from Home' on Friday.

Haha, same here!

[Dave2512]

Not sure how much I'll see. Matches start around midnight here. Will be tough to avoid results if I chose to watch later considering I am on the net all day at work. It's definitely taken the excitement level down for me.

[teeitup22]

I'm not conceding, just stating an observation that I and others that follow golf have made, typically Europeans play in tougher weather conditions than the Americans do so the weather forecast favors the Europeans.  Weather factors into home field advantage, but they still have to play the rounds to decide the winner.

I don't think so. Not when most of the Europeans play a lot in the U.S. anyway. Also Americans have experience playing in the British Open, etc.

[teeitup22]

So when will we know the winner on Sunday morning? I am in central standard time zone, so will the Cup be finished around 11 am?

[Silent]

I don't think so. Not when most of the Europeans play a lot in the U.S. anyway. Also Americans have experience playing in the British Open, etc.

That's right now. They played first like 20 years or so solely in one continent. I really believe it might make a difference..

[Wansteadimp]

Not sure the weather will be a factor, the forecasts i've seen are high 50's/low 60's, no rain and wind in the mid teens. Of course its Scotland in late September, anything could happen!

[Golfingdad]

Here's some info on the course if, like me, you are unfamiliar with this place and are also curious: http://www.gleneagles.com/golf/golf-courses/pga-centenary-course/virtual-course-guide

(Was also going to add a pic of the scorecard, but my computer is being a butt)

OK, its cooperating now ...

[FarawayFairways]

When I heard they'd spelt Jimmy Walker incorrectly, I feared the worse

[Silent]

Today's practice groups (starting on the 9th hole):

10.30am: McIlroy, Kaymer, Dubuisson, MCDowell
10.45am: Poulter, Rose, Garcia, Stenson
11am: Bjorn, Westwood, Gallacher, Donaldson

[FarawayFairways]

Some European bookmakers offering prices on an American win now of between 6/1 to 8/1 (admittedly for limited stakes and as part of a promotion)

[skydog]

Taking a queue from Crenshaw in 99, I've got a feeeling here for the Americans. And I don't think it will be that close. I think we win by a few points.

On paper, we're the better team, but the RC isn't played on paper, it's about the intangibles which the Euros have managed to bring for 30 years and we haven't. This year is different. The Americans are playing with a chip on their shoulder as a unified team with less to lose (as the underdogs) and everything to gain.

I also think Tiger's absence helps this team. It comes down to personal responsibility. When Tiger is on a team, he's obviously viewed as the alpha dog and that diffuses the responsibility somewhat from the other players, consciously or subconsciously. Without a clear leader, each player has to step up and share a relatively equal level of responsibility for the team....last time this happened was 2008, not coincidentally the one RC we've one this century. Furthermore, when Tiger goes out and doesn't put points on the board it demoralizes the US squad and emboldens and galvanizes the Euros (think Tiger and Phil pairing in 04). These are factors outside of Tiger's control and if he were healthy I'd want him on the team regardless, but I think there's a chance here for the rest of the team to step up here and lay the hammer down in his absence.

[Silent]

Tiger's absence might help the team, I can follow you with that, but that doesn't make the team all of a sudden a better team then Europe. It might make them a better team compared to 2010 or 2012 for example, but doesn't reflect to the Euro 2014 team ofcourse. I have to say I have high expectations from Europe, with both the better players (in my opinion) and the advantage of playing at home. The captain's picks might become a key factor from both sides (Gallacher with no experience in RC, Westwood and Poulter not having their best season).

[CarlSpackler]

Left stirring it up a bit.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/mickelson-needles-rory-mcdowell-over-legal-battle/?cid=facebook-gc-a-phil-needles-at-rory-graeme-legal-battle-092414

[boogielicious]

Left stirring it up a bit.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/mickelson-needles-rory-mcdowell-over-legal-battle/?cid=facebook-gc-a-phil-needles-at-rory-graeme-legal-battle-092414

Most of these guys are good friends or at least very friendly competitors.  That is why the hype and Us vs. Them is more for show than a real rivalry.  They want to win no doubt, but it will never start a border war.

[teeitup22]

Some European bookmakers offering prices on an American win now of between 6/1 to 8/1 (admittedly for limited stakes and as part of a promotion)

Wow. Really? I got the USA to win Sunday night at 7/4 odds (+175).

[mvmac]

Left stirring it up a bit.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/mickelson-needles-rory-mcdowell-over-legal-battle/?cid=facebook-gc-a-phil-needles-at-rory-graeme-legal-battle-092414

Phunny Phil

Phil: “Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other"

As we await the Fleet Street feasting, some American takes on Phil Mickelson livening up the Ryder Cu p proceedings Wednesday with a jab at the Rory McIlroy lawsuit that has dragged old buddy Graeme McDowell into the mix.

Bob Harig with the quote and context:

"Well, not only are we able to play together, we also don't litigate against each other, and that's a real plus, I feel, heading into this week," Mickelson quipped.

Mickelson said it with a smile and was clearly joking, but the comment hits home.

Ryan Herrington of GolfDigest.com with this :

Mickelson's quip drew laughter and a few wry smiles from the press in attendance. Moderator Michael Gibbons even offered a playful "ouch" in response.

"I might get roasted but I couldn't resist," Mickelson told GolfDigest.com. "I can handle it. We all need to laugh at ourselves. I think it's funny."

Jason Sobel at GolfChannel.com :

What’s the agenda here? Maybe he wanted to pump some life into festivities that were clearly lacking. Maybe he wanted to take the heat off his teammates who have been continuously – and tiresomely – answering questions about being overmatched this week.

Or maybe this was a public dig at McIlroy, who hasn’t held back from opining about Mickelson lately.

[newtogolf]

Jason Sobel at GolfChannel.com:

What’s the agenda here? Maybe he wanted to pump some life into festivities that were clearly lacking. Maybe he wanted to take the heat off his teammates who have been continuously – and tiresomely – answering questions about being overmatched this week.

Or maybe this was a public dig at McIlroy, who hasn’t held back from opining about Mickelson lately.

Why does everyone need an agenda these days.  Phil was making a joke and trying to get some laughs, that was his agenda.

[skydog]

Why does everyone need an agenda these days.  Phil was making a joke and trying to get some laughs, that was his agenda.

Was about to say the exact same thing.

Never been a Sobel fan at all.