NFT: Ryder Cup

Can’t wait (Bart Scott)

From JT and Jordan. If the US can get 2-2.5 points in the morning session, it’s a very good start

Morikawa and Thomas.

That recovery shot from DJ on the bunker incline was dope.

Dropping putts. Both early US leads now erased.

great watch.

Amazing short games from some of these guys as they get put in the inevitable difficult spots at the Straits course. Even they have to put the ball in their pocket sometimes out there as we have already seen.

Need some more red on that board.

but no. Strong start by the U.S.

Spieth hit a heroic green side ( shot that is unlike any you will ever see in any lifetime. Faced with a green side steep wall shot, which he could have tumbled down some10-20 feet, he hoisted the ball straight up in the air some 40-50 feet, only to travel about 15 feet, and land short of the hole for a 3' putt to save the hole

That shot took some guts for sure!

I think we got the cup this year, the players all seem young and ready to prove they can lay a smack down on the infamous Euro team.

Go Team USA!
Watch the shot here - ( New Window )

I barely knoe 'er!

.

the Euros had a session and none of Garcia, Poulter and Westwood played? It was fun to watch Rory and Poulter get destroyed on the first 5 holes.

.. Not an easy day in this win

...

I recorded it and watched some. The big thing was that they said in Round 2 over the years, that's the first afternoon session, the U.S. has been down by a difference of 22 points. Today we were plus 3 in the P.M. That should be a big help. After J.T. made a nice putt to win 16 with an eagle, I believe, the announcers went on and on about what a great clutch putter he is. So, of course, he misses a medium size makeable putt on 17 and hits and awful put on 18, leaving it 3-4 feet short when he was able to go for the win, with his partner in good shape for par.

The Ryder cup anymore. Between commercials and play through side by side - I think I’ve seen 5 shots in the last half hour.

This is pathetic.

Has been insane. Future of golf.

Need Bryson and schleffer to complete this day.

Fan is this fun. Nothing better than watching Ryder Cup when you're winning, lol. With 9 of the world's 10 best players going for us tomorrow, not winning 3 1/2 points would be an epic fail. I wonder if Strickler will put a sacrificial lamb up against Rahm or risk one of our better players and try to beat him. Btw, Lowry was just incredible today for the Euros.

In comment 15382424 Bill in UT said:

Quote:

Fan is this fun. Nothing better than watching Ryder Cup when you're winning, lol. With 9 of the world's 10 best players going for us tomorrow, not winning 3 1/2 points would be an epic fail. I wonder if Strickler will put a sacrificial lamb up against Rahm or risk one of our better players and try to beat him. Btw, Lowry was just incredible today for the Euros.

Have not seen the list, yet. But I would put Koepka or DJ against Rahm. But It may be Harrington's choice to place Rahm(they alternate who announces first and then the other captain puts his choice against the announced player).
I suspect Rahm will be out early to try and set the tone.

In comment 15382432 section125 said:

Quote:

In comment 15382424 Bill in UT said: Quote: Fan is this fun. Nothing better than watching Ryder Cup when you're winning, lol. With 9 of the world's 10 best players going for us tomorrow, not winning 3 1/2 points would be an epic fail. I wonder if Strickler will put a sacrificial lamb up against Rahm or risk one of our better players and try to beat him. Btw, Lowry was just incredible today for the Euros. Have not seen the list, yet. But I would put Koepka or DJ against Rahm. But It may be Harrington's choice to place Rahm(they alternate who announces first and then the other captain puts his choice against the announced player). I suspect Rahm will be out early to try and set the tone.

Scottie Scheffler drew Rahm...

Rahm is on another planet right now and Sergio continues to be a match play star. If not for these two, the US team would basically have the Cup already. I did enjoy Lowry making that putt on 18 to win his match, fun to watch even coming from the other team.

Dustin Johnson, Morikawa, Schauffele, and Cantlay are all just playing rock solid for the US team. Of the rest it seems like Spieth and Berger may be the only guys struggling a bit. I did enjoy the Spieth moonball on 17 though, glad he didn't break his ankle.

Presume some kind of early charge from Euros today but that gets quieted down once everybody is out on the course. Final score:

United States 17.5
Europe 10.5

In comment 15382444 NYGgolfer said:

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Rahm is on another planet right now and Sergio continues to be a match play star. If not for these two, the US team would basically have the Cup already. I did enjoy Lowry making that putt on 18 to win his match, fun to watch even coming from the other team. Dustin Johnson, Morikawa, Schauffele, and Cantlay are all just playing rock solid for the US team. Of the rest it seems like Spieth and Berger may be the only guys struggling a bit. I did enjoy the Spieth moonball on 17 though, glad he didn't break his ankle. Presume some kind of early charge from Euros today but that gets quieted down once everybody is out on the course. Final score: United States 17.5 Europe 10.5

FWIW, while Sergio used to be a bit of a putz and Bryson may still be, there isn't a player on either team I dislike. Garcia and Poulter are bulldogs and Lowery and Hatton seem likely to follow in the former two's footsteps. I think Rahm is already there.
I agree about Lowery - fun guy to watch play. Probably a hoot to party with.

Looks to me Stricker built about as perfect a team as he could. I think he set about partially to rebuild the US Team for the future or set the guidance to construct a team.

that young threesome I mentioned above - Cantlay, Morikawa and Schauffele I think is the real difference. They have an excellent mix of solid ball striking and dependable putters. Past US players struggled making clutch putts in these matches, these guys don't.

And then when you put some of the "experience" around that young core like Johnson, Thomas, Finau and Spieth then you really may have something.

in some ways his performance may be the most surprising of anyone considering he hasn't even won on tour yet. Gotta think he is going to go into today playing loose and like he has nothing to lose.

In comment 15382434 section125 said:

Quote:

In comment 15382432 section125 said: Quote: In comment 15382424 Bill in UT said: Quote: Fan is this fun. Nothing better than watching Ryder Cup when you're winning, lol. With 9 of the world's 10 best players going for us tomorrow, not winning 3 1/2 points would be an epic fail. I wonder if Strickler will put a sacrificial lamb up against Rahm or risk one of our better players and try to beat him. Btw, Lowry was just incredible today for the Euros. Have not seen the list, yet. But I would put Koepka or DJ against Rahm. But It may be Harrington's choice to place Rahm(they alternate who announces first and then the other captain puts his choice against the announced player). I suspect Rahm will be out early to try and set the tone. Scottie Scheffler drew Rahm...

so, they went with the sacrificial lamb, lol. A little bit chickenshit, but probably the smart move.

so far has been a great pick. He was picked to partner with DeChambeau. They both live in Dallas and knew each playing against each other in college. So far everything has gone perfectly for Stricker. He was very strategic with who he picked for the team and why. Right now he looks like a genius. I expect the rookies to continue to play well today. They grew up watching the US team choke and get their asses kicked for more than a decade but this is the next generation and hopefully the worm turns here.

let's say each team only picked 1 player for the whole thing, who would the US pick vs. Rahm that wasn't an extreme underdog? Morikawa? Brooks? Bryson? I think I'd actually pick Cantlay since he just beat Rahm a few weeks ago.

Scheffler is likely riding high after his close to yesterday and he's good in match play. Anyone against Rahm is a hailmary so why not put more pressure on the rest of Europe (almost all of whom who haven't put up any points).

In comment 15382542 Eric on Li said:

Quote:

let's say each team only picked 1 player for the whole thing, who would the US pick vs. Rahm that wasn't an extreme underdog? Morikawa? Brooks? Bryson? I think I'd actually pick Cantlay since he just beat Rahm a few weeks ago.

If I was trying to beat Rahm, I might go with Bryson, only because his length might get in Rahm's head. But I think Rahm would beat him.

In comment 15382529 Bill in UT said:

Quote:

so, they went with the sacrificial lamb, lol. A little bit chickenshit, but probably the smart move.

Scheffler is not a schlump. He is a very good player. Calm and long off the tee. Rahm is emotional so you want a guy who will not be bothered by Rahm or intimidated(Jon has actually calmed down quite a bit - I do not wish to impugn him. He is one of my very favorites.)

I just read that the Captains simply submit their lists blindly to the committee - so Stricker would list his players 1 thru 12 and Harrington the same. So basically it is a blind draw.
So, therefore it just happened that Sticker had Scheffler 3rd and Harrington listed Rahm third.

(I had thought the captains alternated being first to announce their players and the opposite captain would then assign a player to play against the named player)

In comment 15382547 Bill in UT said:

Quote:

In comment 15382542 Eric on Li said: Quote: let's say each team only picked 1 player for the whole thing, who would the US pick vs. Rahm that wasn't an extreme underdog? Morikawa? Brooks? Bryson? I think I'd actually pick Cantlay since he just beat Rahm a few weeks ago. If I was trying to beat Rahm, I might go with Bryson, only because his length might get in Rahm's head. But I think Rahm would beat him.

DeChambeau would not be my choice to pair against Rahm. It would be DJ. Calm, long, good short game. DeChambeau is a bit of a head case and could lose it if he got down early. DJ will not alter his game and has seen it all.

for a let down today. He has also just rolled in some bombs out there over the first two days and at some point that stops happening (at least so often).

Scheffler has had a few uneasy moments out there this weekend but finished up nicely at least last evening. Maybe this is his day.

Back to Rahm, he has really shown why he is the #1 player in the world in these matches, no question. And Dustin Johnson no slouch either at #2 with all his Ryder Cup points.

In comment 15382547 Bill in UT said:

Quote:

In comment 15382542 Eric on Li said: Quote: let's say each team only picked 1 player for the whole thing, who would the US pick vs. Rahm that wasn't an extreme underdog? Morikawa? Brooks? Bryson? I think I'd actually pick Cantlay since he just beat Rahm a few weeks ago. If I was trying to beat Rahm, I might go with Bryson, only because his length might get in Rahm's head. But I think Rahm would beat him.

exactly though, there's no obvious answer.

I'd consider Bryson but I'd feel very uneasy about whether or not he could actually win. Rahm is too steady and Bryson will likely blow up somewhere under that pressure. This isn't a course favorable to risky shots.

Morikawa was on fire yesterday and has a ton of ability. He might have the best shot of beating Rahm.

But I think I would end up picking Cantlay. He can make big putts on big stages, and did so against Rahm just a couple weeks ago.

Overall though I don't think there's an obvious choice, so why not let all 3 of those guys play in matches against others where they will probably be favored? Cantlay and Morikawa probably are in their matches and Bryson drawing Sergio is almost as tough as Rahm since he'd probably be favored against whoever he faced just like Rahm. But at least vs. Sergio Bryson has a bigger edge in distance.

someone up that has the ability to match some of that (while being realistic). Slow and steady isn't the right tack.

DeChambeau could be the right pick to go aginst him, if you could convince him to stop trying to hit 235 yard seven irons into Par 3's. Every now and then, bring the throttle back from 200 MPH to maybe 150 MPH.

In comment 15382567 Eric on Li said:
[quote]
Only thing Sergio really does better is wedge play. Bryson's wedge game does not match the rest of his game. Sergio does have the "it" factor in Ryder Cup - seems to be a Spanish trait.

My picks:

Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy (Schauffele -4&3)
Rory not putting well

Patrick Cantlay vs Shane Lowry (Cantlay - 3&2)
Two bulldogs but Cantlay is better

Scottie Scheffler vs Jon Rahm (Rahm - 2&1)
Because

Bryson DeChambeau vs Sergio Garcia (Sergio 2&1)
Back and forth - but Sergio less likely to make mistakes

Collin Morikawa vs Viktor Hovland (Morikawa 3&2)
Morikawa is unflappable

Dustin Johnson vs Paul Casey (DJ - 4&3)
DJ is just better

Brooks Koepka vs Bernd Wiesberger (Koepka 1 up)
Brooks is not on form or this would be a walkover

Tony Finau vs Ian Poulter (Finau 2&1)
Finau much longer

Justin Thomas vs Tyrrell Hatton (Hatton 1 up)
Thomas short game has been off

Harris English vs Lee Westwood (Westwood 3&2)
Westwood too much experience

Jordan Spieth vs Tommy Fleetwood (Fleetwood 1 up)
If Spieth makes a couple early putts, I have this wrong

Daniel Berger vs Matt Fitzpatrick (Berger 3&2)
Just a guess

at the first tee yesterday afternoon was a great scene.

Schaulffe miisses easy putt to lose first.
Cantlay botches 70 yard chip.

Good chance we lose first three holes by opening two players.

Lowry narrowly misses to win hole. Break for the Americans.

Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy (Schauffele -4&3)
Rory not putting well

****Missed this Rory 3&2 - he putted well

Patrick Cantlay vs Shane Lowry (Cantlay - 3&2)
Two bulldogs but Cantlay is better

****Cantlay 4&2

Scottie Scheffler vs Jon Rahm (Rahm - 2&1)
Because

****Missed this Scheffler 4&3


Bryson DeChambeau vs Sergio Garcia (Sergio 2&1)
Back and forth - but Sergio less likely to make mistakes

****Missed this DeChambeau - 3&2

Collin Morikawa vs Viktor Hovland (Morikawa 3&2)
Morikawa is unflappable

****Halved - Missed

Dustin Johnson vs Paul Casey (DJ - 4&3)
DJ is just better

****DJ - 1 up

Brooks Koepka vs Bernd Wiesberger (Koepka 1 up)
Brooks is not on form or this would be a walkover

**** Koepka 2&1

Tony Finau vs Ian Poulter (Finau 2&1)
Finau much longer

****Poulter 3&2 - should have seen this

Justin Thomas vs Tyrrell Hatton (Hatton 1 up)
Thomas short game has been off

****Missed Another - Thomas 4&3

Harris English vs Lee Westwood (Westwood 3&2)
Westwood too much experience

****Westwood 1 up

Jordan Spieth vs Tommy Fleetwood (Fleetwood 1 up)
If Spieth makes a couple early putts, I have this wrong

****Halved - Spieth made putts

Daniel Berger vs Matt Fitzpatrick (Berger 3&2)
Just a guess

**** Berger 1 up

In others word, don't trust me to handicap sporting events.

Not very good.


Xander Schauffele vs Rory McIlroy (Schauffele 4&3)
Rory not putting well

****Missed this Rory 3&2 - Rory putted well

Patrick Cantlay vs Shane Lowry (Cantlay - 3&2)
Two bulldogs but Cantlay is better

****Cantlay 4&2

Scottie Scheffler vs Jon Rahm (Rahm - 2&1)
Because

****Missed this Scheffler 4&3


Bryson DeChambeau vs Sergio Garcia (Sergio 2&1)
Back and forth - but Sergio less likely to make mistakes

****Missed this DeChambeau - 3&2

Collin Morikawa vs Viktor Hovland (Morikawa 3&2)
Morikawa is unflappable

****Halved - Missed

Dustin Johnson vs Paul Casey (DJ - 4&3)
DJ is just better

****DJ - 1 up

Brooks Koepka vs Bernd Wiesberger (Koepka 1 up)
Brooks is not on form or this would be a walkover

**** Koepka 2&1

Tony Finau vs Ian Poulter (Finau 2&1)
Finau much longer

****Poulter 3&2 - should have seen this

Justin Thomas vs Tyrrell Hatton (Hatton 1 up)
Thomas short game has been off

****Missed Another - Thomas 4&3

Harris English vs Lee Westwood (Westwood 3&2)
Westwood too much experience

****Westwood 1 up

Jordan Spieth vs Tommy Fleetwood (Fleetwood 1 up)
If Spieth makes a couple early putts, I have this wrong

****Halved - Spieth made putts

Daniel Berger vs Matt Fitzpatrick (Berger 3&2)
Just a guess

**** Berger 1 up

In others word, don't trust me to handicap sporting events.

I said US would get to 17.5 points and still underestimated it.