This Is The Official v2 Golf Board's Ryder Cup Thread: Please Post Here!

[kwinigolfer]

First topic message reminder :

There . . . .

[McLaren]

gpb

That photo looks like its in some grotty town in England.


Kwini

I don't understand your criticism of DL3's singles line up. Could you expand on why you don't like what he has done?

[McLaren]

Ben

I have said for years that the only contribution the captain needs to make is to avoid messing it up. So far DC has really messed it up.

[John Cregan]

Here we go again.
"Europe need to front load". "US need to keep strength in the middle order". "US need to learn from the mistakes of 4 years ago" Europe need to get blue on the Board".

All pointless jargon. Whoever wins this now, it won't be because of any bold/brave/inspired decisions by DC or DLIII - it will be won by guys winning singles games - no one is going to win a match because of "momentum" on the course or because "Darren got his order perfect"

Dignified stuff from Westwood after some idiot screamed as he struck his putt on 18 last night - while I understand the passion, I didn't like the crowd reaction to that missed putt - don't think a missed 3 footer should be followed by cheering - Id say the exact same and I have said the same thing if it happened in Europe.

PS - My prediction - US 16 Europe 12

[John Cregan]

Ben

I have said for years that the only contribution the captain needs to make is to avoid messing it up.  So far DC has really messed it up.

Messed what up?? The fact that the US have played marginally better golf overall?

[McLaren]

John

I agree, "momentum" one of the most irritating phrases in sports commentary.

[McLaren]

John

He picked westwood on nepotism and Kaymer on god knows what. And his insisted on playing them over players who would have played at least "marginally better". Picking them is bad enough bad the real mess up is to keep playing them.

[John Cregan]

John

He picked westwood on nepotism and Kaymer on god knows what.  And his insisted on playing them over players who would have played at least "marginally better".  Picking them is bad enough bad the real mess up is to keep playing them.  

Hindsight a great thing! I would have picked Westwood and Kaymer and Casey for what it's worth.
Who would you have picked?

[pedro]

Fitzpatrick better bring extra diapers if Europe starts winning a few of the top maches...

[pedro]

Come on. Picking Knox would be like picking the yeti. The players and captains have hardly met him, let alone know him.

[McLaren]

Knox, soren, kaymer. Or casey if the captain can pick non euro tour players. Doesn't mean I would repeatedly play a poor kaymer.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Draw looks good for Europe. .

Top half anyway

[kwinigolfer]

I thought Kaymer played a lot better Saturday, but can't understand why DC broke up the Sergio/Rafa partnership.

Fact is, Rory apart, and to a certain extent Sergio, the top US players have played better than Europe's - Stenson may not be fully fit and Rose has hardly made a putt. And Danny Willett has not exactly delivered; tho' don't imagine the imbecile-gate garbage helped him/DC much.

NBC had a graphic that Rory has won 18 holes more than any other player in Ryder Cup action since 2010.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Garcia Bello was a strange change...

Westwood was a huge let off....9-7....It would be game on..

[kwinigolfer]

TRUSS,
Trouble is, it should have been 8 1/2 - 7 1/2.


PS: Mac, I strongly believe in "momentum" in sport!

[kwinigolfer]

Mac's favourite part:
Should be a beautiful autumn day at Hazeltine, fair skies, temps in the 70's, not much breeze. Dew should be all gone by tee-time so expect green speeds to be faster than previous two days.

Spieth vs Stenson a crucial early match-up. Spieth not playing particularly well, Stenson may not be fit, plus he has last year's duel at East Lake still in his memory. Probably!

[McLaren]

To be clear I meant 2 of Kaymer, Knox or Soren. Who wouldn't have taken Pieters?

Kwini

The trouble is commentators use momentum to describe almost all shifts in performance. Why not say exactly what is shifting?

I thought the greens were quick but I think you rightly pointed out they weren't actually that speedy. But not surprised if DL3 finally quickens up the greens to further hamper Europes efforts at getting the ball in the hole.

[sirbenson]

Clarke playing Kaymer 3 out of the first 4 matches is a mistake he was dreadful on Friday and should not have played yesterday afternoon, considering how well RCB has adapted! Also think Europe should have played Fitz and O'Sullivan in another session!

Clarke wasn't to know Westwood's putting yips would reappear at the Ryder Cup but all the warning signs were given after the first morning's play!

And finally excellent stuff Thomas Pieters!!!! (and Rory Mcilroy)

[navyblueshorts]

Here we go again.
"Europe need to front load". "US need to keep strength in the middle order". "US need to learn from the mistakes of 4 years ago" Europe need to get blue on the Board".

All pointless jargon. Whoever wins this now, it won't be because of any bold/brave/inspired decisions by DC or DLIII - it will be won by guys winning singles games - no one is going to win a match because of "momentum" on the course or because "Darren got his order perfect"...

Finally. Some sense.

[GPB]

Pieters has been outstanding. I remember another Belgian Bomber doing well in the 2012 Ryder Cup. Making 8 birdies and an eagle partnering with Westwood in the Friday 4-ball (against Woods/Stricker).

I hope Pieters continues to get better instead of regressing like Colsaerts.

[navyblueshorts]

...But not surprised if DL3 finally quickens up the greens to further hamper Europes efforts at getting the ball in the hole.

Huh? You actually think the Europeans haven't played on quick greens or will find them tougher than the Americans?

[super_realist]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of GPB, can I be the first to say. Well played America. You deserved it.

On another note, seems that PJ Willett was indeed correct to a certain degree. Shouts of "cheeseburger", "baba booey" etc is just stupid, brainless stuff, but I suppose it's better than shouting "praise the lord" or holding up "John 3:16"

So there it is. Well done America.

Who'll be next European Captain? Miguel?

[GPB]

TRUSS,
Trouble is, it should have been 8 1/2 - 7 1/2.

or it could have been 10-6 if Reed/Spieth didn't spit the bit yesterday morning.  losing a 4-up lead with 6 holes to play.  

Here we go again.
"Europe need to front load". "US need to keep strength in the middle order". "US need to learn from the mistakes of 4 years ago" Europe need to get blue on the Board".

All pointless jargon. Whoever wins this now, it won't be because of any bold/brave/inspired decisions by DC or DLIII - it will be won by guys winning singles games - no one is going to win a match because of "momentum" on the course or because "Darren got his order perfect"...

+1  Totally agree.  A point is a point is a point

[robopz]

I strongly believe in "momentum" in sport!

Me too... I don't know how to quantify it or necessarly how to describe it, but I KNOW it when I've felt it myself and I "most of the time" know it when I see it. May be a semantics thing though. Some may call it something else

[robopz]

Who'll be next European Captain? Miguel?

Not even a vice-captain this year, I don't see Miguel next up in the queue. Would have to be Bjorn or outside possibly Lawrie next... no?

[Shotrock]

Super -- It's not over! Europe starts strong and the Yanks may get tighter than a snare drum.

[super_realist]

I can't see Europe pulling this back SR.

If Kaymer and Westwood were playing better, Europe might not be in such a parlous position.

I'm happy to concede that the US will win at somewhere around the 16-12 mark, although the match ups look quite intriguing should Europe get off to a fast start.

Probably good for the next one that America win anyway. Sure I'll take some stick from the Yanks when I'm over next week.

I think the McIlroy-Fatprick Reed match will be a good one. McIlroy is playing great and certainly no longer sees it as the "exhibition" that Mac thinks he does and Reed is playing the best I've seen an American playing in the RC for years.

Be nice if the crowd behaved a bit better, sort of validates Willetts brother.

[McLaren]

...But not surprised if DL3 finally quickens up the greens to further hamper Europes efforts at getting the ball in the hole.

:picard: :headscratch: Huh? You actually think the Europeans haven't played on quick greens or will find them tougher than the Americans?

They have played on quick greens and hence how I know they often struggle on them compared to Americans.

[kwinigolfer]

I'm with you there, super.
Reed has been inspired, carried Spieth really but a great partnership.
Europe need Rory and Stenson to get up early, but Stenson doesn't look right to me.

Imagine Clarke will look at the Willett nonsense and say that affected his line-up plans, but McGinley knew not to put Westwood out in foursomes and Westwood has hardly improved since then.
And expect he'll say that he made Saturday afternoon's match line-ups before Rafa and Sergio mounted the morning comeback. But Europe made too few putts all week, so far anyway, and missed a dozen tiddlers.

Agree there navy, Just look at The Masters leaderboard for the evidence.

[super_realist]

I'm not making excuses for the European performance as they've been outplayed (and well done to most of the Americans), but I do think some of the pairings could have been better from Clarkes perspective, plus I think that Wood and Fitzpatrick should have played more than once. (has Sullivan only played once too?)
Also think Kaymer has been overplayed and Bello underplayed.

Had a bad feeling about this since Clarke was announced. Seems to be living up to that.

[GPB]

I am setting the Over/Under at "0.5" on the number of times (going forward) that these players make another Ryder Cup team on merit.


Phil Mickelson
Ian Poulter
Lee Westwood
Tiger Woods

And I would take the UNDER on all four as I don't think any of them will make another RC team on merit.

[super_realist]

I think you are right GPB, can't see any of them getting near, whilst I can't see Mickelson risking being a Captain given how much flak he's given his previous captains.

I can't actually see 9C or Poulter ever being top 100 again. Finished Hasbeens.

[I'm never wrong]

I'm not making excuses for the European performance as they've been outplayed (and well done to most of the Americans), but I do think some of the pairings could have been better from Clarkes perspective, plus I think that Wood and Fitzpatrick should have played more than once. (has Sullivan only played once too?)
Also think Kaymer has been overplayed and Bello underplayed.

Had a bad feeling about this since Clarke was announced. Seems to be living up to that.

Agree with all of this except the last bit - in that I didn't have a bad feeling about Clarke beforehand. I hoped that he would use all his experience and tie in with McGinley (at least) to see what worked.
You also have to ask what the vice captains were saying to Clarke about the matches, and if they were being accurate, was he taking any notice?

[kwinigolfer]

Give Phil credit - he's been an automatic qualifier every time, eleven in all. Given the US focus on Majors in qualifying criteria I wouldn't write him off quite yet.
Poulter's only ever qualified twice, CP three times.
Westwood's a goner, unfortunately, but can still earn a crucial point today

And I thought DC would be a great Captain!

[GPB]

Give Phil credit - he's been an automatic qualifier every time, eleven in all. Given the US focus on Majors in qualifying criteria I wouldn't write him off quite yet.

Thats a record that might never be beat. Its lucky for Phil that 2003 was not a RC year.

[kwinigolfer]

It's great to see Patrick Reed taking a leaf out of Poulter's book, being so animated. Definitely doing the equivalent of walking the walk, win or lose he's doing the business.

[Born Slippy]

This McIlroy Reed match is insane. Both -6 after 8.

[McLaren]

Are you folks enjoying that the course has been set up to make it a bit of a birdie fest or would you have preferred a slightly stiffer test?

[kwinigolfer]

Fine as it is as far as I'm concerned, though don't like errant shots being kept in play by grandstands, which we've seen quite a bit of.
Regardless, same for both teams and quite a spectacle it is.

[McLaren]

Kwini

Same. But the commentators are acting as if this is the best golf we have ever seen, when in reality this is a bit of a playground for these guys. Are they forgetting Stenson tearing up an open set up only a month or two back?

[kwinigolfer]

It's a long course, though, Mac. Not sure what they're playing it at today but it stretches to 7,600 yds. Pretty sporty stuff.

[beninho]

I get the feeling I wont be having a late-night. Will we make double figures? Are we stopping with the task force jokes now?

[McLaren]

Ben

As long as Rory beats fatprick does the rest even matter?

[TRUSSMAN66]

I can't see Europe pulling this back SR.

If Kaymer and Westwood were playing better, Europe might not be in such a parlous position.

I'm happy to concede that the US will win at somewhere around the 16-12 mark, although the match ups look quite intriguing should Europe get off to a fast start.

Probably good for the next one that America win anyway. Sure I'll take some stick from the Yanks when I'm over next week.

I think the McIlroy-Fatprick Reed match will be a good one. McIlroy is playing great and certainly no longer sees it as the "exhibition" that Mac thinks he does and Reed is playing the best I've seen an American playing in the RC for years.

Be nice if the crowd behaved a bit better, sort of validates Willetts brother.

Sour grapes

[beninho]

I dont dislike reed. I think he will hold off rory.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Peiters what a player

[TRUSSMAN66]

Rookies struggling...

Kuchar must have slept well seeing the draw.

Anti-climax this.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Reed huge point..coming up.

[beninho]

Rcb and pieters playing well.

[Guest]

Pretty much over, US tail too strong. Rory, Cabrera, Pieters & Stenson have played great, but the rest have been 'meh'

[TRUSSMAN66]

I predicted 18 - 10....

Going to be close to that.

Poor old Willett....No points and embarrassed by Mr smarty pants before a ball was struck..

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