Now that the regular season has come to an end, with four majors, all standing out for their own reasons. The FedEx Cup going to a playoff, seeing Rory the huge winner after finding some end of season form. We get to one of my favourite events, the Ryder Cup 2016. Shame it is only held once every two years, but this only helps with the excitement leading in. This year it is being held at Hazeltine Golf Club in Minnesota, a home advantage for team USA.
After the last Ryder Cup and its controversies on the US side, with Phil Mickelson letting his feelings towards Captain Tom Watson being known publicly. He was not happy being left out of matches and greatly criticised the team pairings. This lead to the infamous task force being created to try and get their mojo back. This was widely panned in the media, but continuing on the path without seriously looking to build team spirit was not going to help. I always look at Europe being a true team working together, where as their opposition seem to be a team of individuals. So can the USA finally get back some team harmony and actually win the event? Europe has dominated the since 1985 with 14 wins to the USA 4.
Both teams have now been announced, with the USA choosing the last playing member (insert name) officially today. There has been talked that the team was actually chosen a few weeks ago, Phil letting slip of team talk regarding player match ups and who they would be teamed against. And who were some of these conversations with? None other than Tiger Woods. So with such great rivalry over their careers, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics play out for the newly appointed vice captain.
EUROPE
Rafa Cabrera Bello
Matthew Fitzpatrick
Sergio Garcia
Martin Kaymer
Rory McIlroy
Thomas Pieters
Justin Rose
Henrik Stenson
Andy Sullivan
Lee Westwood
Danny Willett
Chris Wood
USA
Rickie Fowler
JB Holmes
Dustin Johnson
Zach Johnson
Brooks Koepka
Matt Kuchar
Phil Mickelson
Patrick Reed
Brandt Snedeker
Jordan Speith
Jimmy Walker
Ryan Moore
I’m not sure if there is any agreement for both sides on how they pick the team, but the US team has managed to get one extra captains pick over the Europeans (4 to 3). Nor how they can have the last pick done the week of the even, Europe finalised the squad almost a month ago. Sure this is trying to get the Americans with a long overdue victory, so it isn’t such a one sided event. Pity this can’t be done for the Presidents Cup.
The USA is being heavily favoured this year, partly due to six rookies on the European side, but I am not convinced. Can the task force have such an early impact? Europe has always managed to select great pairings, which will be harder with the number of new comers. I do hope for a close event, they usually are. But I’m positive there will be fireworks. Unfortunately just not from Ian Poulter, not making the squad, but is a team vice captain. Patrick Reed may now have that mantle, just for the other side, which may help get team USA over the line.
