2016 Ryder Cup Discussion Thread

[natureboy]

Encouraging signs that the U.S. Ryder Cup approach to pairings has entered the modern age.

http://www.geoffshackelford.com/homepage/2016/8/29/ryder-cup-fun-sets-in-luke-donald-considered-for-pick-davis.html

[Scotsclaff]

Pieters is in.

[Silent]

Pieters, Kaymer and Westwood with a wildcard. Well done Pieters!

[natureboy]

Feinstein on Euro picks.

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/feinstein-not-surprised-pick-pieters/

[newtogolf]

Knox thought he should be the first captains pick, he can't be happy.  

[natureboy]

Some stats on the U.S. squad and potential picks:

	SG-Tee	SG-Appr	SG-ARG	SG-Putt	SG-Total	Drive Dist	Birdies	Bogeys	Bird/Bog
Dustin Johnson	1.077	0.489	0.073	0.272	0.548	314.4	4.37	2.67	1.70
Phil Mickelson	0.085	0.703	0.244	0.786	0.471	294.5	4.06	2.48	1.68
Jordan Spieth	0.465	0.217	0.391	0.710	0.403	295.5	4.28	2.67	1.63
Brooks Koepka	0.595	0.224	-0.014	0.483	0.336	303.0	4.15	3.08	1.39
Jimmy Walker	-0.127	0.561	0.305	0.253	0.272	300.1	3.79	3.19	1.22
Patrick Reed	0.246	0.229	0.436	0.195	0.261	297.0	3.78	2.61	1.50
Brandt Snedeker	0.119	0.185	0.324	0.351	0.219	292.5	3.83	2.74	1.42
Zach Johnson	-0.257	0.291	0.315	0.388	0.159	280.0	3.69	2.88	1.30
AVERAGE	0.275	0.362	0.259	0.430	0.334	297.1	3.99	2.79	1.48
Rickie Fowler	0.619	0.366	0.432	0.255	0.427	301.3	3.72	2.33	1.64
Bubba Watson	0.941	0.504	-0.018	-0.177	0.420	310.2	3.80	3.09	1.28
Matt Kuchar	0.371	0.352	0.252	0.475	0.363	285.9	3.87	2.65	1.48
Gary Woodland	0.498	0.549	0.042	-0.049	0.346	307.2	3.61	2.59	1.44
Billy Horschel	0.460	0.481	-0.038	0.085	0.321	293.0	3.67	3.17	1.18
Daniel Berger	0.322	0.480	-0.082	0.253	0.305	298.8	3.83	2.79	1.39
Jason Dufner	0.305	0.557	0.097	-0.354	0.249	292.5	3.84	2.99	1.31
Brendan Steele	0.581	0.363	-0.136	-0.172	0.248	302.1	3.58	2.84	1.30
Ryan Moore	-0.021	0.374	0.259	0.373	0.245	282.5	3.70	2.78	1.35
Ryan Palmer	0.631	0.192	-0.063	-0.048	0.231	304.4	3.87	3.05	1.32
Justin Thomas	0.048	0.597	-0.027	-0.223	0.196	301.0	3.72	3.14	1.22
Kevin Kisner	0.391	0.013	-0.307	0.657	0.184	289.0	3.82	3.01	1.31
Jim Furyk	-0.251	0.479	0.239	0.159	0.179	281.8	3.17	2.85	1.14

 

I think Fowler should be a lock. His total strokes gained is above the current squad average, solid ballstriking and pop, the third best birdie/bogie ratio, and he has a balanced game that should make him easy to pair with.

Bubba's still crazy strong off the tee and on approach, but his short game & putting seem to have slipped this year. Probably a stronger option for better ball / fourball or maybe with the right partner in alternate shot / foursomes. His length is likely to be an advantage at Hazeltine if he isn't put up against one of the top Euro players with better all-around games in singles.

Woodland, Horschel, or Steele, might be interesting options for better ball.

Kuch has a solid overall game. is very consistent, and is stronger off the tee than Zach Johnson to boot so he could add to the squad - particularly in alternate shot. I wonder with Mickelson, Walker, Snedeker, and Johnson already on board if they don't need to be more plus on the driving though.

Edited August 31, 2016 by natureboy

[Lukejenkins]

Do we know if Rickie made it yet?

[Natural Patrick]

2 hours ago, Lukejenkins said:

Do we know if Rickie made it yet?

No not yet.

[ChrisP]

I think Fowler, Watson and Kuchar are locks. That 4th captain's pick is up in the air. Not entirely sure it's going to Holmes, although the fact there are four par-5s might play into his length advantage. But he hasn't been consistent enough to trust. I think Haas, Furyk, Holmes and Thomas are all realistic possiblities. If I were a betting man, I'd say Haas gets the last spot.

[newtogolf]

17 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

I think Fowler, Watson and Kuchar are locks. That 4th captain's pick is up in the air. Not entirely sure it's going to Holmes, although the fact there are four par-5s might play into his length advantage. But he hasn't been consistent enough to trust. I think Haas, Furyk, Holmes and Thomas are all realistic possiblities. If I were a betting man, I'd say Haas gets the last spot.

I'd like to see Thomas get it.  

[ChrisP]

1 hour ago, newtogolf said:

I'd like to see Thomas get it.  

Same here, but I'm not sure he's done enough to get picked, and he doesn't have the experience.

[Natural Patrick]

7 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

Same here, but I'm not sure he's done enough to get picked, and he doesn't have the experience.

I'm pulling for Thomas as well. On the other hand, If I was going to put money on it. Then I want Watson, just for the fact he is a sore loser, and so damn competitive.

[Scotsclaff]

Bets on Rory and Sergio going out first on the first day.

[Scotsclaff]

Here's a look at the first hole at Hazeltine,overboard or not.It's going to get noisy,I can't wait.

[Wally Fairway]

22 hours ago, Lukejenkins said:

Do we know if Rickie made it yet?

I saw in interview with DLIII early this week and the way he was talking about Rickie being a great team guy and at least once including him while talking about guys on this years team makes me think he would have to really play poorly to not be a captains pick. Likewise Davis spoke quite a bit about how Kuch has been playing and about his Olympic performance.

[Chilli Dipper]

9th through 12th on the U.S. points list is Watson, Holmes, Kuchar, and Fowler; there's a big gap between them and 13th. The bottom line is that it's going to take a big spoiler in the next couple of weeks for anyone besides those four to make it onto the team as a captain's pick.

[Gunther]

1 hour ago, Chilli Dipper said:

9th through 12th on the U.S. points list is Watson, Holmes, Kuchar, and Fowler; there's a big gap between them and 13th. The bottom line is that it's going to take a big spoiler in the next couple of weeks for anyone besides those four to make it onto the team as a captain's pick.

Top 3 you're right, although I think Fowler will bounce Holmes regardless what happens this week.  But that Horschel pick will be interesting.  Whoever plays best through the playoffs.  If Chappell hangs on here and plays OK in the next 2, I can see it being him, not someone previously thought about, really.  I like the concept of saving that last selection.

Edited September 4, 2016 by Gunther

[natureboy]

6 hours ago, Chilli Dipper said:

9th through 12th on the U.S. points list is Watson, Holmes, Kuchar, and Fowler; there's a big gap between them and 13th. The bottom line is that it's going to take a big spoiler in the next couple of weeks for anyone besides those four to make it onto the team as a captain's pick.

J.B. may be an asset if all you need is a strong fourball player / good birdie producer, but much less in singles unless he goes out against one of the Euro team's weaker players. Woodland or Berger would be stronger overall picks, IMO.