No golf tournament in the world generates as much passion and hype among the players and the public as the biennial Ryder Cup clashes between Team Europe and Team USA.
This week the scene shifts to Glenagles in Perthshire, Scotland, where not only golfer’s and their supporter’s passion will be on show, but the aftermath to the failed independence referendum.
The ugly section of the “No” voters have spat the dummy since losing by a heavy margin, and have taken to the streets to vent their spleen on the successful “Yes” voters.
Ugly is the right word, and don’t be surprised if those same losers end up in the crowd at Gleneagles, where their stupidity will get a lot more media response interrupting a blanket covered international sporting event.
Hopefully there will be enough police presence on duty to march the demonstrators out the gate, so the golfers can strut their stuff without any side issues spoiling the intensity.
And it will be intense.
Team USA captain Tom Watson has a huge hurdle to overcome. The Americans have won only one series this century – Valhalla 2008 – on their way to losing five – the Belfry 2002, Oakland Hills 2004, the K Club 2006, Celtic Manor 2010, and Medinah 2012.
And Team Europe is favoured again at Gleneagles, with every good reason. Eight of the world’s top 10 will be on duty at Gleagles, with the Europeans dominant. Rory McIlroy (1), Sergio Garcia (3), Henrik Stenson (4) and Justin Rose (6) will represent the Europeans, with four Americans – Furyk (5), Bubba Watson (7), Matt Kuchar (9) and Rickie Fowler (10) – matching them.
Two Australians make up the rest of the top 10 with Adam Scott (2) and Jason Day (8), but they will have to wait for the Presidents Cup next year.
Team Europe
Team Europe automatic qualifiers – Thomas Bjorn, Jamie Donaldson, Victor Dubuisson, Garcia, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, McIlroy, Rose and Stenson, with captain Paul McGinley’s three picks – Stephen Gallacher, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood.
Gallacher can count himself lucky to be selected ahead of Luke Donald, who has never been in a losing Ryder Cup team. Westwood has been picked on trust thas his current form has been way below his lofty standards, while Poulter comes alive at Ryder Cup time with spectacular results.
In his last 12 matches over three series – 2008, 2010, and 2012 – Poulter has won 11 and lost one. Only the legendary Arnie Palmer has performed better, with 11 wins and a half – both great stats.
Team USA
Team USA automatic qualifiers – Fowler, Furyk, Zach Johnson, Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker and Bubba Watson, with captain Tom Watson’s three picks – Keegan Bradley, Hunter Mahan, and Webb Simpson.
Had Tom Watson been able to hold off his picks for a fortnight, FedExCup winner Billy Horschel and Chris Kirk, who made a concerted run for the coveted Cup, would have probably tipped out Bradley and Simpson.
Gleneagles will be Mickelson’s 11th Ryder Cup appearance, equalling the record set by Sir Nick Faldo, while Furyk will be making his 10th. Garcia still holds the record for the youngest Ryder Cup golfer at 19 years and 258 days set in 1999, while Raymond Floyd is the oldest at 51 and 20, set in 1993.
Floyd will again be on duty at Gleneagles as one of three vice-captains to Watson, with Andy North and Steve Stricker. Europe’s McGinley has gone overboard with vice-captains – Des Smyth, Sam Torrance, Jose Maria Olazabal, Padraig Harrington and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Too many cooks, I feel.
An “unshakeable” Scottie Scheffler has claimed his second Masters green jacket in three years, carding a four-under-par 68 to finish four shots clear of…
A day after setting a tournament record in the Masters, Tiger Woods has suffered an unwanted milestone at Augusta National. Woods insisted he could…
Tiger Woods is on the prowl for a sixth green jacket after penning another glorious chapter in his storied career with a record-breaking 24th…
Bryson DeChambeau has laid some demons to rest with a stunning back-nine birdie barrage to seize the first-round lead at the weather-hit Masters. The…
A year after being persona non grata at Augusta National, Australian golf legend Greg Norman is back at the Masters, declaring "the boss is…
Australian golf star Min Woo Lee has revealed he will play the Masters with a broken finger after suffering the freak injury in the…
