Golf as a team sport - The Ryder Cup

Jeff, I am not a huge golf fan by any means. Never played the game much either. But for some reason I do keep my eye on the Ryder cup. No idea why that is by the way.

Ian.

I fear Europe are going to blow it.

I think the Ryder Cup, not unlike the Olympics, brings out a little national/regional pride - rooting for a "team" that represents a bigger whole.

Europe blows it ! - that would be a major upset by the US based on the past 15 years, during which I believe Europe is 6-1.

Should be enjoyable to watch the pairings and individual competitions.

Usually a great sporting spectacle - shame it is not on terrestrial TV in the UK anymore.

Like Bob, I too wonder if the EU team is really as strong favourites as the bookies think.

Ian

The pressure is certainly on the Europeans. They're favourites, away from home as it were and the pressure will mount if Faldo's wild cards don't get points on the board straight away.
I was very surprised at Poulter's inclusion. I think he has all the atributes that have been highlighted as reasons for the USA's failure at recent matches. In particular that he's too individual to be considered a team player. Maybe not having to worry about what outfit he's going to wear the next day will help him focus on matters in hand. I do hope so.
Some pundits are tipping a record breaking win for the Europeans. It may depend on whether anyone can take over Monty's mantle as Ryder Cup talisman. Sergio perhaps?
Regards,
Steve.

I bit the bullet and upgraded to sky sports for a month. I watched a couple of the preamble programmes and it is amazing how they are able to fill entire hour long slots with complete waffle.

Last night I watched a few minutes of Colin Montgomery giving his views and having a guarded moan about being left out of the side. Whether he will be missed will only become evident when the final scores are posted.

I am not sure that El Nino will take over the mantle as Ryder Cup talisman, I think he is too much of an unknown factor - he could be magic or he could go off the rails. My vote is for Mr Harrington.

There does seem alot of comment about the American crowd being the 13th player on the side. Lets hope that they are sporting and not unruly.

Rob

quote:

Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
I fear Europe are going to blow it.

Me too. The words "Faldo" and "teamwork" have seldom gone together. Likewise I think the US team will be collectively stronger without Tiger.

The breaking of the Westwood/Clarke partnership is regrettable too. Let's hope Poulter delivers. Especially as Clarke has been dropped despite being in very good recent form.

Steve

Me too. The words "Faldo" and "teamwork" have seldom gone together. Likewise I think the US team will be collectively stronger without Tiger.

The breaking of the Westwood/Clarke partnership is regrettable too. Let's hope Poulter delivers. Especially as Clarke has been dropped despite being in very good recent for form

I agree - I hope Faldo did not make his first mistake by Not picking Clarke - 4 of the team wanted him to play and I think it would of helped gell the team even further - as they say in Japan a good general does not plan a battle until the war has been won - or something like that

Tiger is not a team player which is not meant as a negative - he is so focused on his game he can't change.

Faldo must get it right with team and attitude - showing your thoughs on paper to be caught by a press photographer was a little daft to be honest!

All the talking stops and the games begin - let's hope we take full advantage of the team games pre singles - then I believe it's ours to win

A good morning start for the US, they lead 3-1, resulting from halving the two "strong" team matches and winning the two "secondary" pairings. Afternoon four ball session just starting.

Scoreboard link: http://www.sportsline.com/golf/tournaments/rydercup

The Euros took a bit of a hammering on the first day.

Only saw the highlights but a number of them didn't seem to play well.

A disappointing first day for Europe. You have to wonder to what extent the loss of Clarke, Montgomery and Olazabal and the inclusion of Casey, Poulter and Rose are going to be deciding factors this year.

It did seem that the Europeans started out with good intentions, but faltered on the back 9.

Mickelson played some wonderful golf, and his recovery shots were fantastic. I also liked the way Westwood kept his head and brought his match back to all square.

I will admit to watching much of the play with the volume turned down as I find the dribble and doom from the commentators irritating.

Is this Ryder Cup going to be recorded in history as Faldo's Foul Up? The next two days will tell.

Even worse than I feared!

Sum up Saturday with two words -
Karllson, Poulter.

Amazing stuff. Sunday should be fun to watch.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Anderson:
Sum up Saturday with two words -
Karllson, Poulter.

Amazing stuff. Sunday should be fun to watch.

This will make for 12 exciting singles indeed.

Very brave decision from Faldo to keep his big guns at the back. Could be all over very fast tomorrow if the USA get off to a flyer. Hopefully not!

Seems to me the the quality of golf from both teams so far has been fantastic - most holes have been actively won not forfeited after a mistake.

Sergio has been quiet so far - hopefully he can get on a roll and start jumping around again.

Ironic if the US win this year without Tiger - a lesson in the importance of 'team' there perhaps. He never seemed to relish playing the Ryder Cup as most players do.

Ian

Goodbye Faldo.

The most experienced Euros did not pull it off in the singles. Congrats US.

Well done to the US, deserved winners. Suicidal singles order of play sealed the defeat.

Woosnam's turn next ?

Well, there you go. Congratulations to Team USA.

Maybe it will be Olazabal's turn next time on the basis that he has witnessed an example of how not to do it?

I just want to congratulate Ian Poulter. I was one who didn't think he merited his place on the team but he performed very well and was Europe's best player. But overall Europe didn't perform as well as they could. The order of play for the singles left us without a hope IMO. I thought we needed to load the top end and get those points back to apply some pressure early on rather than play catch-up all day. Having said that I doubt anyone could have tamed Kim and especially Weekley who played magnificently.
Next up a Welsh Captain on a Welsh course. All hail Captain Woosnam!

Regards,
Steve.

Missed all of this, unfortunately. It's only available on pay (extra) TV my way. The upside is, that I get all the other tounaments, the majors aside, without paying extra.

quote:

Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
Goodbye Faldo.

Indeed.

Fears realised. Well played US team, some fantastic golf.

Steve

sandy lyle ?

I suggest that the next European Ryder Cup Team is captained by European members of the Sky TV commentating team - after all they had loads of opinions on air so they must be expert enough to put together a winning side for Wales.

The end of my last post should read;

A Welsh Captain on a Welsh Course?

Too early to presume Woosnam will get the job of Captain back.
Regards,
Steve.