To each their own. Good luck this week mighty.

Dustin Johnson out

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...

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

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

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 ?

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.

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

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.

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

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

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..

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.

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

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

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!!

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

heres hoping !

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

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 (?)

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.