Worst captain in US Ryder Cup history, IMO....followed closely by Tom Watson.
Neither Phil nor Tiger have winning records in RC play and Tiger has only been on 1 winning team in 7 Ryder Cups....and those pretty much all when he was the best golfer in the world and in his prime.
That said and while I was born in, lived in and am of Euro heritage and cheer for the Euro team , i think 5 rookies is too many and that the US team will prevail....
I have a weird feeling of impending doom for Team USA. Not sure why. My prediction is that Rose and McIlroy will shine.
The Europeans seem to be able to raise their game for this, Team USA has not done that lately. It's almost as if they are more worried about being "enthusiastic" (for ratings?) than actually elevating their game.
Pretty much. Sometimes it seems like it's a Glamour and Glitz festival, gotta have great uniforms... the shirt needs to be appealing, the rain gear needs to be appealing, even if it doesn't work well (2010). Let's get all of the wives and girlfriends together for the team building, maybe we play Pictionary or something. And whatever we do, let's make sure Amy Mickelson and Tiger's girlfriend spend some quality time together, so Tim Rosaforte can tell the viewers Thursday evening on "Live From" how all of the team is on the same page, how great the support is from all of golf's "First Ladies."
Meanwhile, and without the theatrics, the glitz and glamour - the Euros just go out and play golf. And they kick our ass most of the time.
I've always had the feeling that the players just regard this as a friendly gathering and no one worries much about elevating their game except the young guys trying to further their name recognition. Some of the players in the continental countries that joined a couple of decades ago still have a stake in promoting their individual countries and the additional incentive that goes with that, but I don't think the US and UK veterans worry much about it.
My take. ; During the past 10 years or so, the RC has become over-evented and over-hyped, and over-social. Come on guys just play golf like you want to beat the pants off the Euros.
I can see that happening. Rookies seem to be the one that shine (Phil not withstanding the last time) and the Euros are home. USA has higher ranked players, but more than a few are not playing that great lately.
I normally love the Ryder Cup, but I'm not feeling the energy this year for some reason.
Me either.
I'd lay a hefty wager that if you got Tiger off the record and he was being truthful - he wouldn't agree with Phil's statement. On the record, "Sure! Put us together." But deep down, I don't see Tiger hoping to be paired with Phil this weekend.
And I don't think they will be. Not if it's about winning and not about ratings and made-for-tv theatrics. Currently, I don't see any player wanting to be put in a position to rely on Phil at the moment.
Latest from Paris on a possible Tiger / Phil pairing for at least one match, according to Lefty who practiced with Tiger today (some say practice pairings could be a good peek at matchups this week):
""Sticking with Tiger, according to Mickelson, don't be surprised if the two Hall of Famers join forces for at least one match. "I think we would both welcome it. I think we would both welcome it," Mickelson said. And when asked if he knew if it would happen, Mickelson smiled, "I do have an idea of what Captain Furyk is thinking, yeah.""
I think Tiger will do better than he usually does. I think Tony Finau will kick some European butt. DeChambeau was MIA this week but has a history of doing well in match play.
Rory can't putt, but the Euros have a history of improving their putting considerably during the Ryder Cup. Fleetwood and Justin Rose will be tough outs.
I think the USA got a huge boost this past weekend with Tiger beating 3 of the
Euro's best in head to head pairings at the Tour Championship.
First Fleetwood,then Rose on Sat. and Sunday he knocked off McIlroy.
Plus Bryson and Finau might just be the surprise rookies of this RC.
If Furyk get's some good early pairings that mesh well,
the US will/should prevail!IMO
I just can't fathom a situation in which a US Ryder Cup captain wants to become Hal Sutton Jr the third.
If Furyk does, I will go on record here saying that I hope we get our asses handed to us, just to prove, once again, that the US PGA Tour have become the Kardashians of pro golf.
Step right up, folks... step right up! Behold the spectacle you're about to see!
I'd put Phil with Bubba, just for the WTF are they gonna do now factor!
I think it would probably be the first lefty/lefty pairing in RC history.
Who is Phil gonna be paired with?
