Ryder Cup Preview

Ryder Cup week is finally here. It has been an amazing season, and all of the big names will be playing in this event. Personally, the Ryder Cup is my favorite event in golf along with the majors. I love our beloved players from the United States taking on their archrivals from Europe. There is more passion on display in this event than any other on tour. There is usually much more tension too.

Historically, the U.S. has outplayed Europe, but not recently. Europe has won 6 of the 8 entering this event, including the last one in 2010. The Americans did win the last time they hosted in 2008. This year should be a very competitive one, as both teams are loaded. Here is our breakdown of each team, with predictions at the end.

Greg’s Take on the U.S. Team:

This United States Team is perhaps the most talented in history, with only one player (Jim Furyk) ranked outside the top 20 in the World Golf Rankings. The team has 4 newcomers (Bradley, Dufner, Simpson, Snedeker), and they team ranges in age from 26 (Bradley) to 45 (Stricker). It’s a good mix of personalities, player types, and distances.

Here are some pairings we should see:

1. Tiger Woods/Steve Stricker - The Stricker/Woods combination has been the best combo for the Americans over the last 3 Ryder Cups. In fact, they are the only pairing with a winning record in Foursomes and Four Ball over that stretch.

2. Phil Mickelson/Keegan Bradley - A good combination of personalities and game here. Phil and Keegan seem to be bartering with Captain Davis Love to play together.

3. Jason Dufner/Zach Johnson - Another good combination of style that I can see doing well, especially in the Foursomes alternate shot format.

4. Dustin Johnson/Anybody – Medinah Golf Course is going to play very long this week, and anybody would be fortunate to play with DJ, considering his tremendous length off the tee. He won't sit out.

Here are some pairings I'd like to see:

1. Tiger Woods/Brandt Snedeker - Tiger's length and Brandt's putting is a perfect match. Brandt’s confidence in his putting may well just rub off on Tiger, even so much that I'd consider using them instead of a TW/SS combo.

2. Bubba Watson/Matt Kuchar - Good balance of personalities and style. They would be a potent combination and tough not to root for.

3. Dustin Johnson/Steve Stricker- Dustin's length combined with Stricker's accuracy with wedges and irons would be deadly in foursomes competition.

Andrew’s Take on the European Team:

This European team has more firepower than any team I can remember. In the world rankings, this squad owns four of the top five! Those players are world number one Rory McIlroy, followed by Donald, Westwood, and Rose. They also have major winners McDowell, Lawrie, and Kaymer. Sergio and Poulter are also on the team, and these guys have dominated Ryder Cup play. Similar to the U.S., they have a great mix of playing styles, personalities, and experience.

Here are some pairings we should see:

1. Luke Donald/Sergio Garcia – These two are unbeaten in four Ryder Cup foursomes matches. In alternate-shot, Donald is has won all six matches and Garcia is unbeaten in nine matches. In terms of golf, they don’t have a weakness.

2. Rory McIlroy/Graeme McDowell – The common thread here is that both are from Northern Ireland. They are great friends with similar personalities, which is most important in the team format. Both have also taken down Tiger Woods before head to head.

3. Ian Poulter/Justin Rose – Rose is a great ball striker and Poulter can putt the rock. These guys both have performed very well in team competitions. Both have that edge that does well in events like this too.

Here are some pairings I’d like to see:

1. Luke Donald/Lee Westwood – These guys are both experienced, they don’t have weaknesses in their games, they have similar personalities, and they are close friends. What’s not to like?

2. Nicolas Colsaerts/Sergio Garcia – Nicolas is going to be a factor this week because of the length he can bring to a lengthy golf course. Pairing him with Sergio could get him off to a good start in his Ryder Cup career, because Sergio wins and wins and wins in this event.

3. Molinari/Hanson/Kaymer/Lawrie – The Euros are top heavy and do not possess the depth that the U.S. does. So these four are whom I consider weaker links. I try and sit these guys as much as possible, unless one of them gets hot. When playing, put them together so only one match is compromised. Or maybe they can steal one which would put you in a great spot.

Our Predictions:

Friday Foursomes:                            Greg - Europe 3, US 1

                                                            Andrew – Europe 2, US 2

Friday Four-ball:                               Greg: Europe 2, US 2

                                                            Andrew: Europe 1.5, US 2.5

Saturday Foursomes:                        Greg: Europe 1.5, US 2.5

                                                            Andrew: Europe 3, US 1

Saturday Four-ball:                           Greg: Europe 2.5, US 1.5

                                                            Andrew: Europe 1, US 3

***Going into Sunday Singles:          Greg: Europe 9, US 7

                                                            Andrew: Europe 7.5, US 8.5

Sunday Singles:                                 Greg: Europe 4.5, US 7.5

                                                            Andrew: Europe 5, US 7 

Total:                                                  Greg; US Wins 14.5 to Europe 13.5 

                                                            Andrew: US Wins 15.5 to Europe 12.5

By: The Sports Guys