Ryder Cup Angst

Why do we mostly get throttled? Because even when the powers that be decide to get with it, it's still like a telenovela. Light a cigar. Have a pint. Go play golf. Quit micromanaging everything. Even the non-issue of choosing DLIII has turned into an angstfest.

Heard a good quip from one of the talking heads last night: The last U.S. RC-winning team had Boo Weekley ... and no Tiger Woods. Sometimes you need a relative journeyman who once got knocked out by an orangoutang and who actually eats when he's at Waffle House.

 

I forget where I read the comment, may have even been here on the board or somewhere on a Davis Love captaincy article, but one commenter said look at which team would win in a bar fight and you've got your winner. While you have to play some bit of golf it does seem to have some value look at Boo Weekley, there's not many guys that golf for a living other than him I'd want on my side in a bar fight. Surely, Miguel Angel has seen a bar scuffle or two in his life and never drop the cigar from his mouth.

Golf may not be as gritty as hockey or football on the surface but in my experience playing competitively that it often takes more grit than skill and frankly the American squad doesn't have much grit.

But more to your point, I think it is spot on about the micromanaging and the attitude that comes with it the event. The Euros have a bar in their team room year in and year out, they are there for a good time but I guess it is easier to have a good time when you know you're likely to win.

 

More good (European) candidates to have on your side in a bar scuffle...

Darren Clarke
Ian Poulter
Lee Westwood
Peter Hanson
Martin Kaymer

 

If Christ's disciples were an American Ryder Cup team that last meal would've taken place in 12 different places.

 

My opinion, I don't think the general public, even most golf fans, give a hoot about the Ryder Cup.

 

The public doesn't generally go in for non-Tiger golf, but the RC moves the needle more than most. I'd say after the Masters, the RC is #1 in fans' hearts, particularly as it is not held every year.

 

I can only speak as a golfer and golf fan but I give plenty hoots. Not many things that can get me up at 3am on a Saturday besides a Ryder Cup on Europeans soil or an Open Championship.

Although, I do have some "non-golfing" buddies that do enjoy the Ryder Cup at least more so then you're every day PGA Tour event.

 

I wish they would make the team selection purely on recent past capabilities rather than other grounds.

 

I'd have to disagree, I think the captain's picks just get knocks because they are used on "big names." I don't think having picks is the problem.

I've played competitive golf since I was 5 (22 years) and played at some high levels. In a team format like is played in high school and college, it is more than who is playing well at a certain point and time. There is something to having someone who is playing good golf but there is also something to be said about having someone with the experience or mental toughness for certain situations. It's about finding that balance. That does not mean simply pick Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson regardless of play but it means if they are playing anywhere near the realm of the other players in mix for the spot then you take them because they are the fiercest of competitors and you know they can compete when the lights come on.

Unfortunately, some of the past Ryder Cup captains haven't found that balance in the picks. In 2014, the captains picks (Mahan, Bradley and Simpson) combined for a whopping 3 points and they were picked almost solely on late season performances with all having some late season success in the forms of Top 5's and a win in Mahan's case. So it's a balancing act, just pick the best guys based on a points system or performance is not the answer but neither is picking someone solely because their name is Woods or Mickelson.

 

1. Fans shouldn't use the pronoun we.
2. European players have been better, and are a more enjoyable lot to share a course, a pint or a meal (Phil being the exception to the rule).

Match Record + {Lifetime Ryder Cup Record - Match Play and Team Record}


2010 – The Celtic Manor – Newport, Wales 14 ½ - 13 ½
Captain Colin Montgomery (Scotland) {20-9-7; 5-3}
Luke Donald (England) 3-1-0 {8-2-1; 3-0}
Ian Poulter (England) 3-1-0 {8-3-0; 2-1}
Martin Kaymer (Germany) 2-1-1 {2-1-1; 1-0}
Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 2-1-1 {4-2-2; 1-1}
Lee Westwood (England) 2-1-1 {16-11-6; 5-2}
Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 2-1-0 {4-8-3; 2-2}
Ross Fisher (England) 2-2-0 {2-2-0; 1-0}
Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 2-2-0 {9-13-3; 4-2}
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 1-1-2 {1-1-2; 1-0}
Peter Hanson (Sweden) 1-2-0 {1-2-0; 1-0}
Edoardo Molinari (Italy) 0-1-2 {0-1-2; 1-0}
Francesco Molinari (Italy) 0-2-1 {0-2-1; 1-0}


2012 – Medinah C.C. – Medinah, Illinois 14 ½ - 13 ½
Captain Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) {18-8-5; 3-3-1}
Ian Poulter (England) 4-0-0 {12-3-0; 3-1}
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 3-2-0 {4-3-2; 2-0}
Justin Rose (England) 3-2-0 {6-3-0; 1-1}
Luke Donald (England) 2-2-0 {10-4-1; 4-0}
Sergio Garcia (Spain) 2-2-0 {16-8-4; 4-2}
Lee Westwood (England) 2-2-0 {18-13-6; 6-2}
Martin Kaymer (Germany) 1-1-0 {3-2-1; 2-0}
Paul Lawrie (Scotland) 1-2-0 {4-3-1; 1-1}
Nicolas Colsaerts (Belgium) 1-3-0 {1-3-0; 1-0}
Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 1-3-0 {5-5-2; 2-1}
Francesco Molinari (Italy) 0-2-1 {0-4-2; 2-0}
Peter Hanson (Sweden) 0-2-0 {1-4-0; 2-0}


2014 – Gleneagles – Perthshire, Scotland 16 ½ - 11 ½
Captain Paul McGinley (Ireland) {2-2-5; 3-0}
Justin Rose (England) 3-0-2 {9-3-2; 2-1}
Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 3-0-0 {8-5-2; 3-1}
Jamie Donaldson (Wales) 3-1-0 {3-1-0; 1-0}
Henrik Stenson (Sweden) 3-1-0 {5-4-2; 2-1}
Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) 2-1-2 {6-4-4; 3-0}
Victor Dubuisson (France) 2-0-1 {2-0-1; 1-0}
Sergio Garcia (Spain) 2-1-1 {18-9-5; 5-2}
Lee Westwood (England) 2-2-0 {20-15-6; 7-2}
Martin Kaymer (Germany) 1-1-2 {4-3-3; 3-0}
Ian Poulter (England) 0-1-2 {12-4-2; 4-1}
Thomas Bjorn (Sweden) 0-2-1 {3-4-2; 3-0}
Stephen Gallacher (Scotland) 0-2-0 {0-2-0; 1-0}

 

That's because Phil is allegedly good at sharing... his wife included :wink

 

The Ryder Cup is my favorite golf event - I dont think I am alone in this.

 

I think the biggest difference between European and American golf is the pint and cigar concept. Twenty years ago a first place check here was about 20% of what it is today and player habits show it. I'm sure there was more travel together than today. Granted it might have been side by side seats in first class instead of a '59 Olds, but it existed. Today they use their own private jet or their Netjet credits to travel. I think the Euopeans are more"together" as a group and as a result make a better team. I think more of that rah rah comradeship would help lot. How to do that is another story.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

 

And the Euros have done a great job of still thinking they're the scratching underdog when more often than not lately they are the better team top to bottom.

The Euro tour isn't quite so hardscrabble these days and there are way more individual planes than shared commercial cabins these days but, yes, they still seem to have that "let's go play a game together" mentality.

 

Ditto idiocy