USA Wildcards

First topic message reminder :

Simple question. Who should Tom Watson pick?

Sounds like Stricker is taking his name out of consideration.
"Going to shut it down till December."
He's "resting and rehabbing" herniated discs in his neck and back and nursing a "torn labrum in his hip" according to Rotoworld.

Who you got left Tom?

Not looking good on paper is it? They'll probably thrash Europe then as no-one will expect anything other than a wuppin' for the U.S.A.

Who knows, perhaps the American's perpetual losers like Watson and Mickelson might actually come up with the goods.

I reckon Mickelson's been twice the player in these team events since Woods started going on the sick list.
He's shepherded Kim and Mahan around Valhalla, tried his hardest with Dustin Johnson at C.Manor and played well with Bradley at Medinah.
He'll be mentoring again this year no doubt.

MIckelson certainly "gets it" where 9C evidently doesn't, but both still have poor win ratio's.

I guess we have to assume that Hunter 'Duff' Mahan will be a pick, together with Bradley. After Sneds, Simpson and Moore's MC the last pick is anyones guess at the moment. This week will tell though.

Bradley, Simpson and Mahan for me.....I think Watson should go for someone like Horschel or Koepka....but I doubt it.

Kirk is difficult to look past. Finished just outside the automatic spots and won this week. Plus Duff Mahaaaan and Spitfire Bradley.

Bradley, Mahan and Simpson it was. All proven losers who desperately want revenge. Don't know if that's good or bad. But on paper the US team doesn't look so bad. Wouldn't write them off although some will clearly be shaken by the partisan crowd.

Not sure how to justify Mahan and Simpson as choices over Kirk - can't see anyone in the European camp complaining though.

Too many emotional ups and downs in the American Team for me, but it will be the Zach Johnsons and Kuchars, perhaps Jimmy Walker, who will do a job for them.

Quite a few God squadders in the American team. I wonder which team "god" will favour?

super_realist wrote:Quite a few God squadders in the American team. I wonder which team "god" :roll: will favour?

I suspect being prominent god squadders got most of the picks in, the picks certainly make no sense in golfing terms.

kwinigolfer wrote:Not sure how to justify Mahan and Simpson as choices over Kirk - can't see anyone in the European camp complaining though.

Too many emotional ups and downs in the American Team for me, but it will be the Zach Johnsons and Kuchars, perhaps Jimmy Walker, who will do a job for them.

If U.S. of A. do win, I think you might be spot on there.

So...Bradley for his pre shot routine, Hunter for his...erm chipping and Simpson for his praying....Good job Tom :-)

Very safe picks, could have made a bolder pick tbh.

Yes I wonder why Simpson was picked, ah yes he won 1 tournament in 2012 and fell off the map later. Roy Hodgson giving Tame Tom some tips?

Mostly predictable picks by Watson, but don't understand Simpson. Don't expect it will matter much since the Euro team is VERY strong top to bottom.

sirbenson wrote:Very safe picks, could have made a bolder pick tbh.

what like Hudson Swafford?

Sounds like a straight to video P.I movie.

Anyone feel that Team America could pull off a sneaky win?

Very possible Inco, trouble is not the talent in the european team, but a bit of apathy or mallaise in winning the last 3 and the last 7/9.
Mind you, America haven't won abroad in donkey's years.

Actually, where is TRUSSMAN to give us his ludicrous predictions?

Wouldn't be surprised to see the US win. They must be more hungry than the European team. And what's with all those VC's? Way too many chefs in the kitchen imo. Mind you, there's also the uber-experienced Bjorn, Westy etc. in the team.

Inco - Heart says yes, head says no. European team much stronger on paper, but they don't play on paper ... you know all the cliches.

Could be a real yawner come Sunday, but at least hoping for a tight contest.

Also, I MAY be in London that weekend ... could be interesting at the pub as I either celebrate or drown my sorrows!

Weird thing with Watson is that he told the press that his picks came to him Monday morning - as if his ancient brain cells (but not so ancient as mine) had failed to register that there was still golf being played.
He talked about picking "HOT" golfers but reverted to type and chose Webbgod instead, even though he was comprehensively outplayed by Kirk on Monday.
That's five Captain's picks in six teams for Mahan, two in the last two for Simpson.

At least there is evidence that Watson spoke to his nearly men, and McGinley reported that he spoke to Donald, Franny, Miguel, Joost etc.
Better than the pickle America's favourite Fred found himself in last year when he admitted he didn't have the balls to call Furyk to tell him he was a goner, and texted his exclusion instead!

I think Team US could easily win. Didn't they win last time Tiger missed it?

Id be surprised if there's more than a point or so in it.

Thought you had no interest in it?

Not much else being discussed on here.

Kwini, think Watspn said "this morning" (Tuesday) about Webb. But it also sounded as not much thought had gone into any of the picks.

super_realist wrote:Who knows, perhaps the American's perpetual losers like Watson and Mickelson might actually come up with the goods.

Love to be a loser like Tom Watson...

Wonder how many teams Watson lost on......

Perhaps Super will tell us his record....and his record last time he was Captain..

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:

super_realist wrote:Who knows, perhaps the American's perpetual losers like Watson and Mickelson might actually come up with the goods.

Love to be a loser like Tom Watson...

Wonder how many teams Watson lost on......

Perhaps Super will tell us his record....and his record last time he was Captain..

I was referring to Gerry Watson, the mulleted, bible thumping moron spearhead of the tartan trouser wearing, slack jawed, burger munching, stupid forenamed team from the US of A.
I actually like Tom Watson.

Trussmann, old WUM-mann! We've missed you.

How much is the US going to win this time?

And you do know it's Amy Mickelson we're talking about, not Phil?

Mighty Truss has woken from his slumber!!

And what a wonderful reintroduction it was too - well done Truss

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:

super_realist wrote:Who knows, perhaps the American's perpetual losers like Watson and Mickelson might actually come up with the goods.

Love to be a loser like Tom Watson...

Wonder how many teams Watson lost on......

Perhaps Super will tell us his record....and his record last time he was Captain..

You must admit the odds are stacked heavily against Team America this time Truss- haven't won away since 1993, poor captains picks, depleted team, no rain gear...

I like his picks................Mahan is a great talent.............Bradley is playing good and got 3/4 last time.....and Simpson should have beaten Poulter but lost on the last......All in decent form and all have played in it before..

It's a good youngish team on paper..............and hopefully they will click..

Ryder cup is a strange beast............Those you least expect like Lawrie v Snedeker and Molinares v Woods...sometimes surprise us all..

Inco - Other that Simpson, don't think the picks were poor, but that team is clearly weaker than the Euro squad.

incontinentia wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:

super_realist wrote:Who knows, perhaps the American's perpetual losers like Watson and Mickelson might actually come up with the goods.

Love to be a loser like Tom Watson...

Wonder how many teams Watson lost on......

Perhaps Super will tell us his record....and his record last time he was Captain..

You must admit the odds are stacked heavily against Team America this time Truss- haven't won away since 1993, poor captains picks, depleted team, no rain gear...

To be honest I think the 2012 team was better ..........Also was much stronger than the Europe team that beat them......Shows that paper doesn't win tournaments !!

Ryder cup is about form and bottle............Worried about Kuch and Mahan's bottle in the singles......So I guess they should go out early/middle....However guys like Johnson gave your fat Irish boy a slap last time and is full of confidence....So he'll be fine at the back...Rookies are solid especially Walker..

Can easily see Furyk, Fowler, Johnson, Spieth (Will win more majors than Rory !!), Watson and Mickelson bringing the others on......

Momentum is everything and we are the underdogs for a change........Need a good start !!

15-13 USA.............Going to shock you all...and after last time....I'd love it If we do !!!!!!

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:15-13 USA.............Going to shock you all...and after last time....I'd love it If we do !!!!!!

Either you really believe the USA are going to win in which case why "If we do", or you just hope the USA will win in which case "Going to shock you" should read "We might shock you".  Pick a position and stick to it.

Also "shock"? Really? Would anyone be shocked if the US won?  I doubt it - it's a close call this one.

Shotrock wrote:Inco - Other that Simpson, don't think the picks were poor, but that team is clearly weaker than the Euro squad.

I don't see Simpson as a poor pick, in fact I think he will pick up some points. He will also galvanise the god squad by leading praying sessions.

I think the Euro team has more weak links than the US team. But the Euro team also has more strong links.

How many of the US team are god squadders? Watson, Spieth, Fowler, Simpson, Mahan, and Zach Johnson?

I differentiate between those that are religious (I don't care what you chose to believe) - Spieth, Fowler and Mahan, and those that spout off regularly and try to make us listen to their dogma - Watson, Simpson and ZJ

Bob_the_Job wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:15-13 USA.............Going to shock you all...and after last time....I'd love it If we do !!!!!!

Either you really believe the USA are going to win in which case why "If we do", or you just hope the USA will win in which case "Going to shock you" should read "We might shock you".  Pick a position and stick to it.

Also "shock"? Really? Would anyone be shocked if the US won?  I doubt it - it's a close call this one.

I think it's a lottery Mate......Anyone can beat anybody else on any given day...So I hope and believe..

Its not really a lottery though Truss, if that was the case the US and Europe would have roughly the same amount of wins in the last 20 years. America have won 2 Ryder cups out of the last 9, a pretty dreadful record.

Why do you reckon a country with most of the best golfers in the world and strong patriotic sensibilities does so poorly in this event?

Garcia lucked out against Furyk who has a great singles record.............Molinares drew with an out of form Woods who's won 6 out of 7 of his singles previously..........

We were 10-6 up on Saturday night not bad for a Country that can't play as a team.........just like you were at Brookline !!..

Two ryder cups ago you were annihilated by Azinger's team.........

Just the way it goes...

If you want to bring history into it how many times did you win it before the mid-late 80s..

If City hadn't of won the league last year....People would be saying Liverpool the TEAM beat the MERCENARIES !!.........

All about form........

Cant see it all being about form if US have only won 2 out of 9?

What has Molinari got do do with it? The Ryder Cup was already retained by then.
As for Woods, he's one of the biggest Ryder Cup losers in history. If he was a better Ryder Cup player, there might not have been a chance of a comeback.

super_realist wrote:What has Molinari got do do with it? The Ryder Cup was already retained by then.
As for Woods, he's one of the biggest Ryder Cup losers in history. If he was a better Ryder Cup player, there might not have been a chance of a comeback.

Molinari shows it's about form.....

Zach johnson wasn't supposed to batter McDowell..

What are you on about Truss?

If Johnson wasn't supposed to batter McDowell, then surely Lawrie wasn't meant to batter Snedeker?

And the Scots weren't meant to batter the Mars bar

dum dum

tish