Ryder Cup Teams

Subject of no interview is of course Paul McGinley. Would think that Watson learned a lot from his participation in the Open and saw a lot more from the inside of the locker room rather than the breakfast table.

apparently mcginley wasn't at the open. bizarrely went on holiday. you'd think this week with that mickey mouse russian event on was a better option

No Changes to either team. Only two weeks until the US Top 9 is confirmed.

i'm a lernhard fan so i'm actually somewhat offended by this. its golf. old guys win sometimes. it would be an awesome pick. surely you can't categorically state you don't want a particular person on a team (a hall of famer no less)? he should just stfu even if that is what he thinks:

Victory at Hoylake also took McIlroy top of the Ryder Cup qualification standings, but the 25-year-old does not think his Senior Open counterpart should join him on the team at Gleneagles.

Bernhard Langer's record 13-shot win at Royal Porthcawl has led to speculation the 56-year-old could be considered as a wild card by captain Paul McGinley, but McIlroy said: "I think the team dynamic is pretty good at the minute with the mix that we've got and to bring someone in that hasn't spent much time around us mightn't be the best.

"He's not playing against the regular guys week in and week out but he's playing great golf obviously and what he's done this year, and Monty (Colin Montgomerie, who has won two senior majors in 2014) as well has been fantastic. If they were to be involved as vice-captains or something then I'd be all for that, but I don't think they should be on the team."

simply that result, on that course puts him in the mix imo

Agreed Poke, great selection. Team him up with Kaymer, done. Think it would elevate Martin, would not want to let Bernard down and then get both captains to agree to a Langer/Furyk ole man matchup in the singles.

Zero chance Langer will be picked.

Perhaps we should have a look at the Juniors and Ladies Tours, throw a few of them on the team as well.

is bernard eligible ?

i doubt he would let anyone down, but ......

Looking at the above squads and those in wild card territory, I think Langer has plenty of merit. Poulter and GMac are automatics, the last spot not so much. Langer just whooped Miguel, Molinari/Luiten nothing special and Westwood in terrible form. Team Langer up with Kaymer twice and 2 off sessions so he only plays 18 holes a day and then singles, don't see an issue.

On current form for the US wildcard picks you wouldn't have either Phil or Tiger, be looking at Keegan, Moore and Todd but don't think it will go that way.

he doesn't qualify anyway, yes he is a full European tour member but you need to have fulfilled that membership which I think is 13 tournaments (don't quote me on that) or have entries to cover them.
he's only played one.

Gleneagles will almost certainly play very long possibly too long for Langer to compete.

There is a huge difference between the regular tour and the senior tour, just look at Monty's performance on the champions tour or kenny perry in recent years and compare it to their efforts on the main tour.

Langer may have whooped Miguel on a fast firm links but not sure that is that relevant when you look at the kind of course gleneagles is.

The european wildcards at the moment will probably go to poulter mcdowell and either gallagher or westwood but this may change depending on form or if the team changes. The third wildcard will probably go to who plays best over the next six months.

As for the US team are you seriously suggesting you would pick Keegan Moore or Todd ahead of Tiger or Phil.

Woods and Mickleson will probably get a wildcard with the third going to Bradley unless someone has a good few weeks or if Zac gets knocked out of the team. Watson and Woods don't get on so its possible he may leave him off the team using the fact he isn't in the fed ex cup as a reason.

I'm mixed on this - selfishly I want tiger and phil there, tiger just raises the game media wise, and phil well just decades of sheer brilliance in flashes.

BUT - from a team view - not a chance they get a slot at this moment - between them it's 21 tournaments since a top ten!!! that accounts for ALL of 2014!!!

not a sniff they make my team, obviously all bets are off if they perform beforehand.

my point wasnt whether or not lernhard should be captain's pick. my point was rory should stfu.

Rory was asked a question and gave an honest answer wish more people were like that.

Tiger and Phil haven't had good years. For Tiger it has been injury dominated. He won five times the previous season and has nearly two months to practise before gleneagles. He will surely be in much better shape come the ryder cup.

With Phil it is possible he is on the downward spiral of his career but is still someone I would prefer rather than someone who has had a decent season. especially when you consider the pressure away. Phil was very unpopular on tour a few years back but in recent years seems to have bonded well with many of the younger guys and would be a good partner for a less experienced playere especially in the fourballs.

It is just naïve as you say, ok your opinion but to publicly say it especially since the dynamic is strained because of him and McDowell anyway isn't it?

there is time for an honest answer and there is a time for tact. agree to disagree mighty.

Oh I certainly would not be taking the kids, but have only glanced at the choices and simpsom, moore, sneds and stricker spring out at me as more in form and experienced enough for me.

I think a lot will depend on what happens over the next five weeks as the wildcards are not picked until after the second play off event i think.

If someone has a good run then they may get the third wildcard. For me it would be unthinkable not to pick Woods or Mickleson.

fair enough Pokemon personally i think Rory saw it as I do that its not a credible suggestion to pick a senior tour player as a wildcard and replied in kind. I suspect the rest of the team agreed with his answer.

a smarter more worldy person would have said,

'bernhard is playing great golf. i'm not sure if he qualifies and all that, but if he does it would be a great boost to our wealth of experience. i don't think he qualifies but we'll see how that plays out when it does.'

a time for an honest answer would be when a spectator tries to go you knowing you cant spray him back.

or if a media person says something you disagree with you set them straight.

to say you do not want a person selected on a particular team because they would 'ruin team dynamics' is 'honesty' that serves no real purpose other than to make yourself look like a d1ck. expecially when its someone like lernhard.

in this context, if you don;t think lernhard should be on the team, just let the qualification process play itself out. it's not something you have to say.

analogy - you are on a footy team and you do not want one of the stalwarts to play in the grand final. you don't come out and say it to the media. you just trust that selectors think the same way and it plays out that way.

an honest answer that slags noone off is usain bolt with ,'the comm games are sh1t'. that is an example of the honesty you seek more of from sports stars, mighty whites, like you say. more of that kind of honesty. not ones that throw others under the bus.

Think you are over playing his comments personally. He answered the question honestly probably saying what the team are thinking.

and secondly, how awesome are their 'dynamics' anyway with the rory/gaymac feud?

some could argue that was being dishonest by rory

'but McIlroy said: "I think the team dynamic is pretty good at the minute with the mix that we've got and to bring someone in that hasn't spent much time around us mightn't be the best.'

Personally ive no idea what the dynamics are like.

makes it sound like the european team is like a sports team that bonded over an entire golf season and all think the same.

this is golf ffs. he;s talking like bernhard is a man u player and the rest of the tea is man city.

i think rory is overplaying how awesome their team dynamic is.

i bet you ask kaymer what he thought of rory and he'd honestly throw a tennis ball at him .

tiger will get picked for marketing reasons.

fact.

It will certainly boost viewing figures if he plays.

see theres a point, fact is do I want tiger there? because of the TV'S inability to show anything else but woods , woods - feking woods!!!!
I mean he's awesome but c'mon..........

i reckon the US team has a better 'team' dynamic. europe just has good matchplay players that grow a leg in the format, thus overcoming any team issues. personal opinion.

my 'rock solid' theory is based on the us team's table tennis antics - that brings grown men together!

Not sure Tiger gets a pick from Tom for marketing reasons, the Americans don't get a cut of the money for an away match

The tv companies show him as much as possible because of the viewing figures they get.

actually think u have a point there, the European team spirit has been the winning factor pretty much the last 12 years!!
The Americans are renowned for everyone  keeping themselves to themselves, but now I think the big difference in the USA IS  - Ricky fowler - it seems to me with no evidence at all that he's kind of like a team moral cheerleader lol, but I get the impression it's doing good.

its hard to not like fowler, vegas.

it appears that young pornstar has mojo that doesnt pertain to just golf.

As for the US team are you seriously suggesting you would pick Keegan Moore or Todd ahead of Tiger or Phil.
I did say on current form. On current form it's a no brainer as Tiger and Phil have none while the other 3 are playing some great stuff.

For me it would be unthinkable not to pick Woods or Mickleson.

Even if Tiger bombs the next 2 weeks and misses the playoffs? Mickelson is a tough one, can turn it on from nowhere and his Keegan partnership is a good one, but those other guys are playing well above him at the moment, why not give one of them a shot? They would be there on merit, Phil would be there on former glories. No room for sentiment in modern day sport.

tiger may wish to not play

nike now have rory so may give tiger time off to recover from injury




only tiger knows how he is feeling

interesting you think poulter is an automatic wildcard for europe rhino presumably on his past ryder cup record. Yet the best two golfers of the last twenty years could be overlooked for a couple of regular guys who have had half decent seasons.

Poulter is always like this though, this year is nothing different. He does very little all year then becomes someone else entirely in the RC and in Asia after the American stuff is done. If you would pick guys on former glories that's ok, but a guy who isn't healthy and a 44 year old completely off his game ain't automatic. America can't beat Europe in recent years with a healthy Woods and an in form Phil, but it's unthinkable to not take them in this state? If they find their games it's a different story but in their current state, it's a desperate move really.

My understanding is Woods is now fit but rusty due to the fact he hasn't played in months. Given he has nearly two months to the ryder cup then I would expect him to be significantly improved.

Phil has had a poor year and may be on he downward slide but if you are asking me who would be better in the friday fourball him or Ryan Moore, Brandt Sneedeker or Brendan Todd then it is Phil all day for me.

If over the next five weeks two guys on the outside looking in have a sensational run of form then that would change the dynamic but at the moment Tiger and Phil would be getting two wildcards with Keegan Bradley getting the third for me.

To each their own. Good luck this week mighty.

there was a suggestion at the open that tiger was going to the range

to test his shoulder

Dustin Johnson out

that means reeds an automatic pick at the moment then - have the players forgiven him for his claims yet?

that was bollox wasn't it?

all reed obviously meant was that if he plays to his best ability he is a top 5 golfer in the world. every self respecting golfer should think that. he wasn't saying the rankings are all wrong or that anyone in the current top five are not worthy and should be immediately replaced by HIM. those are things insinuated by the hive mind trying to bring back a person into 'line' in order to make him look like he said something he shouldn't have. this suppresses individuality as it sets a precedent for what can be said in the future if you want to 'not look bad' and be part of the group.

he was too sure of himself (publicly that is). people don't like that as it breaks from the hive mind and displays too much individuality and others are reminded of their own insecurities. why else would people try to bring down a golfer thinking the right things? think about it.

i reckon there is no forgiving to be done. its media PC spin that made a non story a story and i believe the players know this.

however, if the players buy into the PC BS then maybe in their mind he has said something that needs forgiving. i honestly cant see this to be the case even though it may well be...

oh agree - but sadly even superstar golfers are influenced by the media - did nowt wrong other than be a little over excited about just winning!!

Europe

Good week for McDowell up to 8th Donald dropping out. Only 0.7 separates Donaldson and Donald

1. McIlroy
2. Garcia
3. Stenson
4. Rose
5. Kaymer
6. Bjorn
7. Dubuisson
8. McDowell
9. Donaldson

Wildcard Territory (3 picks)
Donald, Poulter, Gallacher, Fdez Castano, Larrazabal, Luiten, Jiminez, F.Molinari,Hanson, Westwood, Colsaerts, Blixt, Casey, Cabrera Bello,

USA

Last week to qualify for the Yanks with double points on offer.

Good week for Reed. With Johnson now out 10th will get a spot on the team. The last three spots are still up for grabs.

1. Watson
2. Furyk
3. Walker
4. Fowler
5. D. Johnson
6. Kuchar
7. Spieth
8. Reed
9. Dufner
10. Z Johnson

Wildcard territory (3 picks)
Mickleson, English, Moore, Kirk, Stadler, Woodland, Snedeker, Horshel, Woods, Bradley, Mahan, Stricker, Watney, Henley, Every, Simpson, Todd

Poor old Tom must be feeling somewhat muddled...

No Dustin, Tiger playing like a dog, Dufner, and Kuchar withdrawing this week with injuries...

Cue an American win, I guess.

I'll give ya Mickelson now mighty. No question. I think the captains need to get together and ensure Sunday singles features McIlroy v Fowler or McIlroy v Mickelson. Or, even better, in a Ryder Cup first, McIlroy vs Mickelson AND Fowler. I'm an innovator you see

bit mixed for tom I would think, may have lost one, but has just gained phil back (thank fook, what a guy, I may regret saying this but eclipses even seve in the entertainment stakes, simply spectacular viewing ) I'm starting to think he misses these greens on purpose just to have some fun with the wedges!

well done phil i admit was worried but love the fact it's all but guaranteed he's there now.

Mickelson in, Dufner out (but still likely to get a pick fitness-depending since he was only a few dollars short)

Keegan Bradley pretty likely I would have thought with final pick Fedex Cup dependent ?

Bubba earned a Timeform squiggle last 4 days .  Looked like he packed it for whatever reason . Considering he is officially the No 1 on points list it might be a source of worry for Tom .

USA 9 so far have a very solid look , but Kuchar's back must be a worry . Tom's 3 will be very interesting , what does he do about Tiger , agree Bradley would be in my team , but who else ?

Paul is going to have an easier time picking his 3 extra , given the variety of seasoned Ryder cuppers not in his 9 currently . Westwood probably deserves to be in the 12 , but other 2 might be trickier call .

surprised stricker isn't more of a automatic one of the three in people's eyes, as i say that ,has he already been picked, vice captain or summat? is that right or am i thinking about something else?
anyway - it would be sneds - bradley and stricker without too much hesitation for me.

ahh has been named vice, but thats nowt to do with being a pick, minds blank, do vice captains commonly not play? or is it just different everytime?

Stricker is indeed a vice captain. Watson hinted that he would need a new vice captain if Stricker won the PGA the implication being he couldn't do both.  Plus he's still struggling with injuries resulting in his worst season for ages and had a total mare in the last Ryder Cup.  So pretty unlikely you'd think

ahh they just simply cant do both - ty ballistic

Bradley will get a pick, I'd have thought a nailed on partner for Phil.  Not much been mentioned of him since he's in 25th place but I reckon Mahan would be a good pick, experienced and a good match player.  T15 and T7 in his last two starts.  Don't think Dufner will be fit so next on the list would be Moore, who probably deserves a pick after a very good season.

Europe

donaldson and McDowell swap places

1. McIlroy
2. Garcia
3. Stenson
4. Rose
5. Kaymer
6. Dubuisson
7. Bjorn
8. Donaldson
9. McDowell

Wildcard Territory (3 picks)
Donald, Poulter, Gallacher, Fdez Castano, Larrazabal, Luiten, Jiminez, F.Molinari,Hanson, Westwood, Colsaerts, Blixt, Casey, Cabrera Bello,

USA

Qualification finished three hoping for a wild card.

1. Watson
2. Fowler
3. Furyk
4. Walker
5. Mickleson
6. Kuchar
7. Spieth
8. Reed
9. Johnson

Wildcard territory (3 picks)
Dufner, English, Moore, Kirk, Stadler, Woodland, Snedeker, Horshel, Woods, Bradley, Mahan, Stricker, Watney, Henley, Every, Simpson, Todd

Bradley looks likely for a wildcard spot the other two are up for grabs

Made in Denmark comms just said Tiger has officially withdrawn. Has been advised to rest the back.

wonder if he'd consider taking vice from stricker, and stricker into team?

Dont think Tom would want Tiger aboard in an administrative capacity .  Tiger has bitten the bullet and made it easier for Tom , fair play to Tiger . If Tom had not picked Tiger there would have been question marks throughout the tournament particularly if things were going badly for the USA .

Tigers withdrawal as an option probably makes the USA team stronger , strange as it might seem .  The others may feel they have to up their game .  The USA have a lot of very good players , but because life is easy peasy once you get in the top 50 , they dont really have to bust a gut to maintain the high standard of cosy life they enjoy .  No hungry fighters generally among them .  Ony 2 went to Gleneagles of the 20 invited by Tom to "see the place" last month , Furyk and Bradley , says it all . And most of the other 18 were already in UK for the Open .

Europe are no value for the Ryder Cup , if they were evens you would be lumping on at this stage .

It still will be a great occasion , always is , and Gleneagles is a brilliant place . Just enjoy the occasion !

wow, that really poor the 2 from 20! i would be proper seething if i were tom - really thought they'd be keener than that..

Timing wasn't great, but surprised only two bothered.  Shrewd from Keegan, though, elevates him from a probable pick to a cert.

yeah, i like keegan, touches on what kelly was just saying - u can see the passion in his play from the very first shot, would love to see more keegans in the game.

Yeah, seems to have a good attitude, just needs to sort out that bonkers pre-shot routine.

Webb Simpson playing well at the Wyndham. More of this and he would warrant a pick one would think.

no change to the european team. This week is the last the American based Europeans can get WR points so a big week for Donald, Poulter and McDowell. Donaldson and Gallacher playing in Europe this week.

Wasn't a great week for US wildcard hopefuls Sneedeker, Simpson and Watney all showed glimpses of form but none got it done.

simpson gotta be most disappointed, this was his chance, from what i heard playing here was, to him practically his back garden.

Sneds is starting to look good. Playing very consistently now, a breakthrough seems close.

Europe's price looks way too skinny for me.  I think the market has overreacted to the negative news coming out about a few Americans but seriously, look at their team.  Add to that the wildcard pick of Bradley, making an almost unbeatable partnership with Phil (not playing them in the Sat afternoon fourball last time was a crazy decision), Mahan - a pretty decent matchplay player, and one of Moore/Snedeker would be my picks, the overall team looks really strong.  The only concern I would have backing America is the slight worry that they really don't seem to care about it as much as the Europeans.  Tom's invite could have been better timed but you would have thought more would make the effort, surely the fringe pick players anyway.  Oh that and the fact that I could never bring myself to cheer on the Americans during any Ryder Cup.  I just think it will be far from the foregone conclusion some people seem to believe it's going to be. 

I must add how pleased I am that Phil has upped his game recently and will be there.  The man is an absolute legend.  The best moment I have ever seen on a golf course, and the most sporting gesture I think i've ever seen was watching Phil smile, clap and give Justin the thumbs up as he holed the monster putt on the 17th to go all square.

If it's half as good as Medinah, it'll be awesome.

P.S. I know I am alone.....but I actually love listening to Monty talk about the Ryder Cup and explain to us all how he has, almost single handedly, been responsible for our recent success!!

imo, were reading too much into the visit thing, over the months the impression iv'e got is, The Americans want this big style!! and are proper up for it.
Still agree europe to skinny tho, but my reason is the camaraderie the americans seem to be developing over the last 12-18 months, fowler imo playing a big part in that..

its nearly time to start looking at weather forecasts, its often very nice at that time of year

heres hoping !

Europe

donaldson secures his spot. Last week for the europeans. Only those in Italy can add points now so the last spot is between Mcdowell and gallacher. Gallacher will need a top 2 finish to knock out Mcdowell.

1. McIlroy
2. Garcia
3. Stenson
4. Rose
5. Kaymer
6. Bjorn
7. Dubuisson
8. Donaldson
9. McDowell

Wildcard Territory (3 picks)
Donald, Poulter, Gallacher, Fdez Castano, Larrazabal, Luiten, Jiminez, F.Molinari,Hanson, Westwood, Colsaerts, Blixt, Casey, Cabrera Bello,

USA

Qualification finished three hoping for a wild card.

1. Watson
2. Fowler
3. Furyk
4. Walker
5. Mickleson
6. Kuchar
7. Spieth
8. Reed
9. Johnson

Mahan and Bradley look a good bet for two of the spots the last one is still up for grabs

Gallacher just misses out down to the wildcards now.

Personally i think these will be the wildcards

europe - gallacher, poulter, donald

usa -bradley, mahan, simpson

Think Gallacher is nailed on , mighty .  Other 2 are any 2 from 3 , viz Westwood , Poulter , Donald , possibly in that order .

Kirk might have entered the lists after todays win , he was pretty composed .  Bradley and Mahan look past the post  already .

gallacher - poulter and westy, westwood hasn't shone but at least he's got a win and recently seems to be finding it, two top 20's (?)

great thread mighty

Gallacher and Poulter you would think are locks. Who would the last spot be between? Donald, Westwood and Casey perhaps? I would go for Casey ahead of the other 2 based on current form and the fact he's won twice at Gleneagles.

For the yanks I think mighty is pretty much spot on, Bradley and Mahan with a coin flip between Simpson and Haas. Been impressed by Haas in the team events.

Watson's picks first.

World Golf Rankings of those not in the 9.

20 Mahan
23 Bradley
24 Stricker
25 Kirk
31 Haas
32 Simpson

I think that Stricker has probably ruled himself out by being a vice-captain. I think Mahan wilklk get a pick. Although he was blamed when he lost to McDowell, he was the leading US player in his other appearance. He would be good in foursomes and fourball as a straight hitter. Bradley will probably get the nod because of his appearance in 2012. I think he may opt for Haas who would also be good in foursomes and fourball.

McGinley's picks.

World Golf Rankings

30 Donald
33 Gallacher
34 Jimenez
36 Poulter
38 Westwood
46 F Molinari

Donald

Pros. Good Foursomes record and would be able to play every session.

Cons. Not in best form. Not part of the Ryder Cup clique.

Gallacher.

Pros. In good form and good Gleneagles experience.

Cons. No Ryder Cup experience.

Jimenez.

Pros. Would be a good team man and good in foursomes.

Cons. No recent form and would not be able to play every session.

Poulter.

Pros. His last 2 Ryder Cup records.

Cons. Not in best form.

Westwood.

Pros. Seems to be part of a clique that has dominated the Ryder Cup for years, ie Torrance, Woosnam, Mark James, Bjorn etc.

Cons. Out of form, would be useless in foursomes and short game would not be up to it under pressure.

Molinari

Pros. Could play all sessions.

Cons. Not in best form.

I think Gallacher deserves a pick, Poulter has enough credit for a pick. Donald should get the other pick. He would be more liable to find his game and could play with most in foursomes.

confirmed europe wildcards.   
poulter, gallacher,westwood.

the right choice imo

I think Ryan Moore has a decent chance of a pick ahead of Simpson

usa wildcards 
bradley,mahan,simpson.

Ash do you Know what Price Gallacher was at The very Start 2 be in The Team Thanks

sorry no idea.

Thanks Anyway

66/1 sevey

Pretty daft to leave out Kirk for Simpson.  Season-long Kirk is ahead of Simpson in pretty much every way.  The only "advantage" Simpson has is experience, and that's experience of losing.

Both played it safe. Wimps.

Simpson is least impressive player on the USA team , Kirk would have been my pick ahead of him . Purely on recent happenings .

Bradley can be good , particularly paired with Phil .  Mahan is in the journeyman category in my book , Simpson not in any of my categories .

Mahan was leading US points scorer in his first Ryder Cup. He will be keen to atone for his performance at Celtic Manor. I thought Bill Haas might get the nod for the last spot for his consistency. Kirk won well last week but there are other times when he loses form completely. He was a bit unlucky not to get a place, though.

I'm thinking of backing the usa. Am i mad?

sorry prepared - i'm thinking the same! i have a sad feeling that the reign of europe is ending, a new united usa are going to be a challenge imo

they'll be better off without woods as well. 2/1 on here now is surely a bit to big isn't it?

Sports Fan Merci

Main reason for Simpson selection was to be a partner for Basket case Bubba

Kirk apparently went same college as blubba so could have gone either way with him or Simpson. Id have gone Kirk who went toe to toe with Rory for 2 days. Think Watson got that wrong but dont think he will get much more wrong. If they 2s now take it as I cant see how you wont be able make profit as after 1st day they will be a lot shorter.

Tom Watson praying he has a few pull out with injury so he can add Horschel and Kirk. He may even poison a couple.

Don't forget Europe have Westwood and Bjorn.

Doubt Bjorn will play more than once before singles.

Yanks in horrible form.