Ryder Cup

[Herman Cain]

No he didn't.  Na was ranked 19th in Ryder Cup points, Whistling Straits going to play extremely long and Na is way down in driving distance/accuracy stats, course is too long for him and Stricker knows that as well.  Plus he drove Justin Thomas crazy with his slow play on the greens two weeks ago and would not make a very good partner in any format.

That’s the conventional thinking on Na. I believe he would be a pest to guys like Poulter. I also think in the alternate shot foursomes ,with his irons and putting ,he could definitely help win some holes.

[MuggsyB]

Because they always get destroyed?   The women had more top 30 players and got mopped.  Euros are better at team play than the country club, Jupe-life boys of team USA

They've clearly underperformed in recent years.  It's time for them to sack up and turn things around.

[swoopem]

Who is the dog on the American team?   Who has the personality to dominate the locker room in a positive fashion?

I think JT can be that guy. There’s times when you can see the fire in his eyes. Plus, he’s well liked/respected

[Uncle Rico]

I think JT can be that guy. There’s times when you can see the fire in his eyes. Plus, he’s well liked/respected

He also turtles when things aren’t going his way.  At least at Whistling Straits, it’ll be setup in such a way the Americans can’t cry about it, though, they probably still will

[Herman Cain]

US wins this Ryder Cup  18-9

Morikowa going 5-0

[Uncle Rico]

US wins this Ryder Cup  18-9

Morikowa going 5-0

Morikawa won’t play 5 sessions

[🏀]

Morikawa won’t play 5 sessions

Correct.

[🏀]

I think JT can be that guy. There’s times when you can see the fire in his eyes. Plus, he’s well liked/respected

Really? JT?

[Herman Cain]

Morikawa won’t play 5 sessions

Why not ?He is the perfect player in this format, with his laser beam iron shots

[🏀]

Why not ?He is the perfect player in this format, with his laser beam iron shots

Below average distance off the tee, poor recent form and a possible back injury.

[tower912]

Morikawa has a back problem.   Koepka has a wrist issue.

I can very easily see this going sideways and some overserved patrons going after Bryson.

[nyg]

That’s the conventional thinking on Na. I believe he would be a pest to guys like Poulter. I also think in the alternate shot foursomes ,with his irons and putting ,he could definitely help win some holes.

Stricker didn't pick players to be "pests".  In alternate shot, he also has to hit drives.......Na has also stated himself that he hits five irons to greens and others hit eight/nine irons. 

Final pick was between Reed, Scheffler, Simpson and with comment made by Stricker that it was tough to leave Reed off, Na probably only a conversation piece. 

[Uncle Rico]

Why not ?He is the perfect player in this format, with his laser beam iron shots

Poor form, shaky putter and a bad back

[Herman Cain]

Stricker didn't pick players to be "pests".  In alternate shot, he also has to hit drives.......Na has also stated himself that he hits five irons to greens and others hit eight/nine irons. 

Final pick was between Reed, Scheffler, Simpson and with comment made by Stricker that it was tough to leave Reed off, Na probably only a conversation piece.

The way I look at it Na has been winning tournaments the last few years . Including this past weekend where he actually tied with Rahm for the low score . Scheffler has talent , made money etc, but hasn’t won . It is hard to win tournaments and that is why I like Na.

Doesn’t really matter because US will romp with whoever they play . Europe has bupkis .

[Uncle Rico]

The way I look at it Na has been winning tournaments the last few years . Including this past weekend where he actually tied with Rahm for the low score . Scheffler has talent , made money etc, but hasn’t won . It is hard to win tournaments and that is why I like Na.

Doesn’t really matter because US will romp with whoever they play . Europe has bupkis .

Why is this year different?  The US always has “more talent” and usually get the crap kicked out of them.  Then again, no Tiger and Phil probably helps immensely

[MuggsyB]

Why is this year different?  The US always has “more talent” and usually get the crap kicked out of them.  Then again, no Tiger and Phil probably helps immensely

There ya go Uncle R.  That's exactly what I was thinking.  We can turn this around and start dominating again.

[MuggsyB]

What pairings would you go with if you were Strick? 

[Uncle Rico]

What pairings would you go with if you were Strick?

Schauffele-Cantlay
Finau-Dechambeau
Koepka-Scheffler
DJ-English
Spieth-Thomas
Berger-Morikawa

I think Xander-Cantlay are locks to play together.  Same with Spieth-JT. 

Finau and Dechambeau seem good for fourball format.  I think the other 6 are sort of interchangeable.  Koepka and Scheffler can get a lot of birdies if paired together.  DJ can probably be paired with anyone.  Him and Morikawa together could be pretty good. 

Dechambeau is the wild card.  Maybe one of the rookies gets him and they try a high octane DJ-Finau or Brooks-Finau pairing.  One way or another, there is going to be a rookie pairing playing on Friday outside X and Cantlay

[MU82]

Europe has bupkis

Bupkis … except for 12 of the last 17 Ryder Cups.

[tower912]

Herman, Europe is usually the underdog on paper.   Please explain 12 out of 17 and why you think this one will be different.

[Herman Cain]

Herman, Europe is usually the underdog on paper.   Please explain 12 out of 17 and why you think this one will be different.

The event is being played on a tough and long course , which means players have to be in peak form .

Our team is full of guys who are in peak form.

I look at the Europeans as having many of their players not in peak form .

More importantly , they are relying on tired old guys for Captains picks, who while once great in this format, just don’t have the same juice as players as they once did . The problem for the Europeans, is that these are the guys who put a lot of points on the board in these competitions . 

So , US will go into day 3 with the lead and it will be game over.

[Uncle Rico]

The event is being played on a tough and long course , which means players have to be in peak form .

Our team is full of guys who are in peak form.

I look at the Europeans as having many of their players not in peak form .

More importantly , they are relying on tired old guys for Captains picks, who while once great in this format, just don’t have the same juice as players as they once did . The problem for the Europeans, is that these are the guys who put a lot of points on the board in these competitions . 

So , US will go into day 3 with the lead and it will be game over.

Whistling Straits isn’t tough for pros.  It’s long and wide open and Stricker will set it up pillow soft.  It’ll be a setup a guy like Rory will thrive on, same with Fleetwood.  Rahm will be the best player out of the 24.

You think Morikawa is in form and he isn’t and he’s hurt, so not sure where you’re getting your info from about the Euro team.

Rahm, Hovland and Rory are top 10 on tour in strokes gained overall.  Casey and Hatton are ahead of players like Spieth and Morikawa.  Fitzpatrick is ahead of English and Scheffler.

Europe has 4 players in the top-10 in strokes gained tee-to-green.

Poulter is 3rd in strokes gained putting.  Sergio is still top-20 in distance off the tee and has played well the last 3 weeks. 

The one thing that I will agree on is, the old boy network will hurt them if they pick a player like Justin Rose or Henrik Stenson.  Sergio and Ian Poulter are playing well enough to deserve a pick.  They’d also be better served if Westwood fails to make the team on points, IMO as well.

[MuggsyB]

Schauffele-Cantlay
Finau-Dechambeau
Koepka-Scheffler
DJ-English
Spieth-Thomas
Berger-Morikawa

I think Xander-Cantlay are locks to play together.  Same with Spieth-JT. 

Finau and Dechambeau seem good for fourball format.  I think the other 6 are sort of interchangeable.  Koepka and Scheffler can get a lot of birdies if paired together.  DJ can probably be paired with anyone.  Him and Morikawa together could be pretty good. 

Dechambeau is the wild card.  Maybe one of the rookies gets him and they try a high octane DJ-Finau or Brooks-Finau pairing.  One way or another, there is going to be a rookie pairing playing on Friday outside X and Cantlay

Hopefully Morikawa has a strong RC.  I like your pairings but was definitely thinking Morikawa/DJ. Yes, no idea what Strick will do with Bryson. 

[Uncle Rico]

Hopefully Morikawa has a strong RC.  I like your pairings but was definitely thinking Morikawa/DJ. Yes, no idea what Strick will do with Bryson.

DJ and Harris have that similar vibe about them.  Don’t know if that means anything

[MuggsyB]

DJ and Harris have that similar vibe about them.  Don’t know if that means anything

That's a good point.  So do Cantlay and Morikawa.  They have an unflappable quality to their game.  Cantlay is also sneaky long.  He tattooed a drive about 360 to close the show vs Rahm.