If Tiger....

PA-PLAYA · 2018-07-31T22:12:55+00:00

... finishes in the top-10 at Firestone this week, where he's done extremely well over the years... Performs reasonably well in the PGA Championship next wee...

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johnnydoom

If memory serves, he typically shut things down from November onward, outside of competing in Dubai in January.... he'd usually play at Torrey Pines in Feb, then wouldn't play again until the Florida swing, since the Masters is roughly a month later. Or I seem to recall anyway.

He'll have plenty of time to rest and practice once the Ryder Cup is over. I do think Furyk will pick him. I know Furyk said last week that they'd treat him like everyone else, but that's just lip service. The PGA (in both Europe and the US) want him there if he's physically capable of playing, for obvious reasons.

I would be shocked if Furyk leaves him off the team, I'll put it that way.

johnnydoom

PA-PLAYA I can't really imagine Tiger not getting a captain's pick. No matter what his off the course issues were, he's the greatest active player and is still playing at a high level. I think it would be better for him if he didn't, but it's a situation that would be a bad look if the invitation is not extended, or if it is not accepted (unless he can get a note from his doctor).

raggmann54

PA-PLAYA I think that Tiger being picked to play on the Ryder Cup team will be dependent upon his showing this week at the PGA Championship. A good showing and Furyk will pick him; a poor showing and he will be a Co-Captain/advisor to the Team, which he is now.

ode

johnnydoom

He needs to play better than he did at Firestone to get the pick. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion. Furyk will take heavy criticism if Tiger limps in and gets a Capt pick and lays flat in France. Hopefully Furyk has the stones to pick someone else if Tiger isn't playing good enough leading into pick day. And I hope he tells Tiger so!

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johnnydoom

Obviously the PGA this weekend and the playoffs will sway those currently on the fence. When you look at the players ranked 9th thru 12th, you currently have:

9th: DeChambeau
10th: Mickelson
11th: Schaufelle
12th: Kuchar

Other notables:

13th: Finau
14th: Stanley
15th: Kisner
16th: Brian Harmon
17th: Na
18th: Wise (granted - I've not followed the tour much this year, but still... never heard of him!)
19th: Zach Johnson
20th Tiger Woods

So you've got 4 picks. Let's assume that the Ryder Cup was next week. Who would your 4 captains picks be? Not an easy decision.

johnnydoom

ode If Furyk bypasses who is arguably the 2nd best golfer in history to give someone else a captain's pick he either has monster stones, hates Tiger, or isn't very bright. Tiger doesn't have a good Ryder cup record and isn't near the top for qualifying, but if his entire body of work up to now isn't good enough then all I can say is whoever Furyk picks in his place better be the hero of the competition.

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johnnydoom

Although I think he'll get picked for interest/revenue-generating reasons, it shouldn't be based exclusively on his overall body of work. He undoubtedly is the 2nd greatest player of all-time. But if we're talking about finding four players who're playing the best golf currently, who gives your team the absolute best odds of winning - he currently doesn't meet that criteria, not based on his season vs the others ahead of him.

Now who knows... if he plays well this week, finishes top-25, perhaps top-10.... that could muddy the waters a bit. If he has a good run in the playoffs and advances beyond the first round... he's showing progress.

Furyk will be under a lot of pressure to pick him, they're good friends, played a lot of Ryder Cups together as playing partners.

Not saying he's earned his way onto the team, but I'll eat my sweaty golf cap if Furyk doesn't pick him.

ode

johnnydoom hopefully winning is his strategy.....I get the Ryder Cup has some pagentry to it, but sentimental picks aren't smart, especially if their play is not up to snuff. I wouldn't even be on the fence with TW at this point, he'd be out, but I would let him know better play would get him a spot.

johnnydoom

PA-PLAYA It's certainly not easy, but I would pick Tiger, Phil, DeChambeau, and Schaufelle. Tiger and Phil for being two all-time greats that can still complete, DeChambeau and Schaufelle due to the position they currently hold. I would not be happy to have to pick DeChambeau right now, but would do it because of where he's at.

Weirfan

johnnydoom It's certainly not easy, but I would pick Tiger, Phil, DeChambeau, and Schaufelle. Tiger and Phil for being two all-time greats that can still complete, DeChambeau and Schaufelle due to the position they currently hold. I would not be happy to have to pick DeChambeau right now, but would do it because of where he's at.

you cant take both Tiger and Phil , IMO. Tiger seems to be playing better than Phil, but by all accounts Phil is unequivocally the best leader off the course and for that reason you have to take him IMO. History has shown that Tiger is difficult to pair up with a partner and so that handcuffs the captain somewhat, although neither Tiger or Phil would probably play much. You want Tiger/Phil to play with a rookie and the Tiger effect could be too distracting for a first timer with so much additional pressure to him.

I want Zach Johnson as the first pick. I also would take Bryson DeChambeau , he's proven in match play and is strong player. My third pick is Finau, firepower and has been top 10 in all 3 majors this year ( only player to do so) .....he's a bomber and can make birdies,,,,,,as we saw today 10 birdies in the 2nd round at the PGA.

I round it out with Phil for the intangibles, leadership and he can still play with anyone....but would take a hard consider on Xander Schaufelle . Ideally Tiger hangs around and helps

johnnydoom

PA-PLAYA but I'll eat my sweaty golf cap

It'll look and taste more appetizing if you soak it in white vinegar first.😄

johnnydoom

I don't know what Bellerive is like today, but looking at the past champions it doesn't seem like it'll be Tiger's kind of course. But maybe he can fit his game to it - who knows. I've never seen Captain's picks treated as a
"what have you done lately" when there are great players in the mix. Usually a big name trumps a good year unless the big name has reached has been status.

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johnnydoom

I have so many golf hats that it would be hard to choose which is the most tasty. lol

probably the one I haven't worn yet, undoubtedly

raggmann54

johnnydoom Use Ketchup...or for the more bold use Frank's Red Hot...

PA-PLAYA

Bryson, imo, is the guy to watch... how he carries himself this week, and into the playoffs. I don't want to write him off completely, but the last thing a captain wants is a guy who so easily gets down on himself and implodes. He's more than earned his way on the team based on results. But based on his attitude and mental tendency as of late to succumb to frustration when he hits more than 2-3 bad shots in a row is very much concerning.

It's a stressful environment that has neutralized many players better than him over the years. Still not sure I would pick him.

My four picks would be: Schaufelle, Mickelson, Finau, and Kisner. Kisner played well in the matchplay format. A streaky player for sure, but has performed reasonably well in high-stake events against the stronger fields.

But a lot can change over the next month.

Am I imagining things, or does the captain now have the ability to pick his final choice after the last round of the playoffs?

I honestly don't know for sure when his selections have to be picked.

PA-PLAYA

Interesting article.

Reading between the tea leaves - I think Tiger has already assumed he's gonna be part of the 12, as he makes an argument for Bryson being on the team. Some might argue that he's already secured a spot as Vice Captain (Tiger) but the gravitational pull would suggest that Tiger is one of the four picks.

https://www.golfchannel.com/article/golf-central-blog/tiger-we-want-bryson-ryder-cup-team/

I sincerely hope Finau is a huge part of that discussion. I think he's earned it.

johnnydoom

PA-PLAYA I’d honestly rather see Finau than Bryson, but I’d go with the higher point finisher regardless of who they are outside of Tiger and Phil. Be hard to resist Zach too, but he’s the lesser of three legends in play.

Spuzz

johnnydoom I’d go with the higher point finisher

Bryson or whomever would not be the first 9 or 10th place guy passed over so it's not as big a deal as it seems.
He would be off my team and Finau would be on it instead. Either Johnson or Schaufelle are the wild cards.
Phil and Tiger will be picked for their swan songs.

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Spuzz

Kinda my thoughts as well.

ZWExton

Bryson could be a brilliant curiosity and distraction for the other team. Might be a sleeper pick as a Ryder Cup phenom throughout the years due to how unusual he is - these Euros won't know what to think when he's discussing the position/phase of Jupiter's largest moon with his caddy pre-putt.

professor

Par4QC mo, he is back. As a fairly good player named Tiger Woods, 2018 version.

A very succinct a very agreed upon synopsis. Well stated.

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raggmann54

Hot sauce makes everything taste much better.

Except ice cream. That's where I draw the line.

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