The 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National (MERGED)

[Bunker2Bunker0no]

Not to get the US vs Europe course debate going again, but let's look at this thru a little different lens....this course could be any non-seaside links course in the world, the architecture isn't as much of the issue, as the way that it is set up. Narrower fairways than US pros normally play. The rough is thick, lush and deep from just off the fairway all the way to the gallery ropes, which as discussed, are further back than the way US Tour generally ropes events here every week. So if you remember US Opens from lets say 10yrs ago and back thru history, especially for me the 70s-80s-90s, guys hit irons and fairway woods to maximize odds of hitting fairways because if you got in rough, virtually no chance to reach the greens. So this event, as set up, is playing the same. Problem is, the US players qualify on a point system from playing bomb and gouge courses primarily all year long...and then Furyk used his picks on guys that fit that style too. Now lets translate this into today's world for us fans, if you were going to pick a fantasy line up to play this type of layout would you pick DJ or ZJ, Phil or Kisner, Finau or Kuchar and on and on right down the lineup. The fairness of alternating hosts sites is that you can set up the course any way you want. Bjorn did a great job of trying to "US proof" this course this week with the set up...but what happens if Furyk had tried to guess this set up and picked bunch of "short straight" guys with his 4 picks...and then Bjorn skins the rough and jacks the tees back and sets it up to reward bomb and gouge???....So then its a chess match of Captains.

 

Chicks dig the long ball....as does the US Tour, the equipment manufactorers(get 18 more yards every driver product cycle), US tv partners and most of the fans...so that's what the Tour sets up virtually every week. Guys that are #1, 3, 5, 6 etc should be able to put an iron in the fairway this week....but if they played this style of layout every week, would they ever get to #1,3,5,6 in the rankings????

Not trying to make excuses for the US, Euro's have played better so far, so take nothing away from them.

[Dave230]

Just saw that Tiger interview- man that was weird. He looked doped up, talking pretty slurred, eyes all droopy and out of it. Hopefully he sleeps it off.

 

Possibly on some quite strong painkillers. Even with the successful return of Tiger, injury-free, he probably shouldn't be playing 36 holes in one day.

[PenetratingWedgeStinger]

Just saw that Tiger interview- man that was weird. He looked doped up, talking pretty slurred, eyes all droopy and out of it.

 

 

I'm guessing he's still coming down from his victory party. Wouldn't be surprised that the level of debauchery he indulged in would make Hedonism Bot from Futurama blush.

 

 

[KennyP]

DJ on practice green putting conventionally with an anser style putter.

[FIRs&GIRs&3-Putts]

It would appear the Americans are back to the “we don’t win so it doesn’t matter” mentality.

[stixman]

Twitter has been an absolute treat. Some guy went from declaring the RC for America for the next 20 years to saying it means more to Europe, Americans don't really care and Le Golf National is not a real golf course like the ones on the PGA Tour. Glorious double standards.

 

Double Standards ,is this what is known as 'post truth', ie. the truth is whatever you want it to be ....making your facts fit the desired outcome after the event. And who are the World Masters of Post Truth?

[Maximilian]

Ryder Cup Sunday is the best! Oh man I’m excited!

[babyfade]

what a first match... rory vs. jt... this alone makes me pee in my pants!!!

[gatorpedsMD]

USA

[hdr_ric]

Well tiger didn't play great but you can't blame him; Patrick reed was horrendous he gave literally no help.

 

Reed was sub par. Tiger was less than Tiger's talent. The mystery is why does he impact his partners in such a negative way. When 14 of your 15 partners produce a losing record, something is wrong.

 

So yes, Reed played poorly. But Tiger has some responsibility for that. Why is it that almost all of Sergio's partners play well and all but one of Tiger's played poorly? Maybe a sports psychologist could explain.

 

It is weird. It’s like they are scared to play with tiger and just about all end up playing crappy. Brandel was ranting on and on about it yesterday. Why do they all play like dogshit with tiger?

 

Personally, I give Stricker a pass in 2012, dude was injured big time (he probably should have sat out entirely that Cup).

[Maximilian]

Why are the American flags on the players caps turned mirrored? Give them confidence while looking at themselves in the mirror or something?

[FIRs&GIRs&3-Putts]

 

 

[hdr_ric]

Mickelson over Schauffele.

 

Friendship over form?

 

Schaufele last 6 events: 68th, T35, MC, T39, T3, T7

Mickelson last 6 events; T24, MC, T15, T12, T58, 30

 

nothing earth shattering by Xander

 

T3 and T7 vs T58 and Dead Last in the last two events? Significant.

SG Off the Tee - 63 vs 150? Dang Significant.

Driving Accuracy - 123 vs 190? Severely Significant.

Add it all up? Earth Shattering.

 

On a course like this that is set up so tight - Phil had no business being on this team outside of qualifying on points. And I'm a huge Lefty apologist.

 

Bjorn's a smart man.

 

So 2 limited field events he does well and thats enough for you? Phil is also 4th in SGP and Xander is 86th.Phil is like 40th in scrambling after being in the top 15 all year and xander is 100th as hes been all year. Phils not the problem and Xander wasnt the solution. Bjorn is a fortunate man as well. If you think he sat back and thought Phil, tiger and patrick reed and deschambeau would be hitting irons and 5 woods and drivers in the water, deep rough and OB over and over again youre dreaming. Finau deservedly took Xanders "spot" and has been very solid except for a few missed putts. Guys who were playing well havent showed up either. Justin thomas and speith are the only ones who look good consistently

 

If you could replace FIGJAM, which US player would you choose? Keegan?

 

Phil sucked. But when the picks were made, none of the alternative were doing squat either.

 

Furyk picked the hot players in tiger, BAD, and Finau. Then Phil, but none of the Phil alternives were lighting it up in the last 4 weeks before the picks. None of them “made” furyk pick them over Phil. Gotta let that one pass.

 

It’s Phil’s last chance to play, furyk wasn’t going to leave him off.

[sevenfourate]

We're off..........

[stu_man]

Is there a prop bet on Reed and Hatton getting into either a verbal or physical confrontation?

[babyfade]

wow JT

[FIRs&GIRs&3-Putts]

That’s... not an ideal start.

[gatorpedsMD]

BOOMMOMOMOMOMOMOM

 

J MOTHA FING T BIATCHES!

[sevenfourate]

Is there a prop bet on Reed and Hatton getting into either a verbal or physical confrontation?

 

Hate to say. But USA for the win if it does.........

[jeff1727]

Fan was right yesterday, Rory can't putt.

[Salazar]

Picture perfect start!

[gatorpedsMD]

JT wants that Rory booty

[GolfTurkey]

Pity that Spieth and Poulter are a match apart, that would have been fun

[FIRs&GIRs&3-Putts]

I know it’s just an iron but I’m impressed with all 4 first tee shots so far.

[gatorpedsMD]

come on brooks beat him like he stole your protein shake!

[pmadden86]

It's only taken the USA team 3 days to realize the 1st hole is an iron off the tee

[KennyP]

come on brooks beat him like he stole your protein shake!

 

Battle of the biceps. Faldo will be loving it.

[MyShortGameSucks]

and right there in one hole is summary of recent years Rory -great swings, sticks it close, horrible putt. Walks off green dejected. I am a massive Rory fan but seen this a lot :)

[KennyP]

Rory needs to spend the next 6 months putting.

[gatorpedsMD]

settle down jt!